3033 Lab 1
Gene Inheritance
Have students choose a male and a female animal for breeding. Using what they know
regarding genotypes and phenotypes, ask the questions, "what will the offspring look like
ad what qualities would they predict it will have?" Have students breed the animals for
their SAE program and prove their answers.
LAB OBJECTIVES:
Understand species variation and progeny
Describe the benefits of using a Punnett square to determine progeny
Able to distinguish dominant and recessive traits
PURPOSE:
This lab will demonstrate how species variation can be established in a animal
PRELAB:
The following terms should be discussed: allele, heterozygous, homozygous, phenotype
and genotype.
LAB BACKGROUND:
Gregor Mendel conducted a series of experiments on pea plants, which throughout time
have led to great discoveries in genetics. Diploid organisms carry two alleles for each
trait and a cross of these alleles can used in a Punnett square to predict the offspring.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Coin
Paper
Pencil/paper
PROCEDURE:
1. Work in pairs
2. One member of the pair will represent one parent and the other member will be the
other parent
3. For each trait, the first parent will flip a coin. Heads determines a dominant trait being
passed on while a tail determines a recessive trait being passed.
4. Flip the coin until all traits are filled in.
5. Determine the genotype of each trait.
6. Determine the phenotype of each trait.
7. Record your data.
8. Compare your results with the rest of the class.
NAME:____________
DATE_____________
HOUR:____________
TRAIT
ALLELE
ALLELE
GENOTYPE OF
PHENOTYPE
ALLELE
FROM
FROM
OFFSPRING
OF
PARENT 1
PARENT 2
POLLED
CATTLE
Pp
COLORED
HOLSTEIN
Bb
COLOR OF
WOOL
Ww
FEET OF
SWINE
Ff
COLOR OF
SWINE
Ss
GAIT
Gg
HORSE NOSE
Nn
OFFSPRING
P = polled p= horned
B = black b= red
W= white w= black
F= mulefoot f= normal
S= white s= non-white
G=trotting g=pacing
N= normal n=bleeding
Do the results from you data conform with the rest of the class? Suggest reason for why it
does or does not conform with the rest of the class.