Snorgles from Snoogle
Snorgles are creatures from the planet Snoogle. They are very similar to humans, but they are
also very different. They only have one eye, but they can have several ears. Some have one
tooth, and some have two teeth. They come in several different colors. There are also some
that have horns. Create your own Snorgle by selecting the genes from the chromosome.
1. What is a chromosome? ______________________________________________________
2. What are you using that represents the chromosome? ______________________________
3. Use your genes and chromosome to list the traits of your snorgle.
Characteristic
Eye color
Nose style
Horns
Skin Color
Number of teeth
Number of ears
Hair Style
Your Snorgle’s Name:
________________________
Your Snorgle’s Trait
Genes, Traits, & Heredity
“You look just like your mama.”
“He has his father’s eyes.”
“I don’t know where she got her height from.”
Have you ever heard anyone say something similar to the statements above? If so, you
already have a basic understanding of genetics, which is the study of heredity and
inherited characteristics. To begin your study of genetics, you need to understand three
important vocabulary words – trait, heredity, and gene.
If you were to describe yourself, you might mention your eye
color, your height, or the color of your hair. These are all
traits, or physical characteristics. If you could make a
comprehensive list of all your traits, you would probably be
able to think of hundreds of characteristics; curly hair,
weight, allergies – all of these are traits. Most of your traits
are inherited from your parents.
Do you know someone who has inherited something from a
relative? Maybe it was a house, a car, a pet, or money. To inherit
something is to receive it from one’s parents. We get our traits
from our parents, so we say that we inherit them. The passing of
traits from parents to children is called heredity. Eye color,
height, and even the ability to roll your tongue are inherited from
your parents.
How do traits get passed from parents to children? That is all due to genes. Genes are
bits of information that control traits. They are located in your DNA, which is found in
the nuclei of your cells. Your DNA is
unique to you – you’re the only
person on earth who has your DNA.
You have two sets of genes – one set
from your mother and one from
your father. In all, you have over
24,000 genes in each cell.
Almost all of your cells have the
entire 24,000 genes inside of them.
They are organized into
chromosomes, a structure that “carries” genes. Chromosomes group into pairs.
Chromosomes from your mother pair with chromosomes from your father. You have 23
pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. Together, these genes and chromosomes give
you many of the physical characteristics that you have today.
Vocabulary Word Cluster
Word:
Illustration:
Definition:
Word:
Illustration:
Definition:
Word:
Illustration:
Definition:
Word:
Definition:
Illustration:
Questions
1. What is heredity?
a. The passing of traditions from parents to children
b. A group of genes in the nucleus of a cell
c. The passing of traits from parents to children
d. Another term for chromosomes
2. How many total chromosomes do humans have?
a. 10
b. 23
c. 46
3. 92
3. Why are your chromosomes arranged in pairs?
a. Scientists aren’t sure.
b. Because you get one from your mother and one from your father.
c. Because pairs are able to divide easier.
d. Because DNA has a double-helix structure.
4. Which statement is true?
a. Your DNA is the same as your siblings’.
b. Your DNA is the same as your mother’s.
c. Your DNA is the same as your father’s
d. Your DNA is unique to you.
5. Which statement is true?
a. Chromosomes are made up of genes.
b. Genes are made up of chromosomes.
c. All of your cells have 23 chromosomes
d. All of your cells have 46 pairs of chromosomes.
Brainstorm
Genes are not the only things that make you who you are. List at least three examples of your
characteristics that are not 100% controlled by genes. Explain why.
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________