Human Traits Activity
This activity is intended to help you to recall information about genetics, and also to help you understand
about the human traits controlled by one gene. Here you will be assessed for Criteria B and E.
In this activity, you will discover traits that you possess, your classmates possess, and the ones that you
share with your parents. Working with a partner and a guide chart, you will collect data on yourself in the table
below during class. Class data will be compiled as well. For homework, find out if your parents exhibit the traits
below. Record your data in the chart below and complete the analysis exercises after compiling your data.
Table I: Some Common human traits and the possible Genotypes
Traits Description
Dominant or Yourself
Recessive (Yes/ No?)
Tongue rolling
Dominant
Possible
Genotypes
(Circle it)
RR Rr / rr
Bent little fingers
Dominant
BB Bb / bb
BB Bb / bb
BB Bb / bb
Widow’s peak
Dominant
WW Ww / ww
WW Ww / ww
WW Ww / ww
Hitchhiker’s Thumb
(straight is dominant)
Short Index Finger (sex
influenced)
Facial Dimples
Recessive
KK Kk / kk
KK Kk / kk
KK Kk / kk
Dominant
SsSs SsS1 / S1S1
SsSs SsS1 / S1S1
SsSs SsS1 / S1S1
Dominant
DD Dd / dd
DD Dd / dd
DD Dd / dd
Free earlobe
Dominant
EE Ee / ee
EE Ee / ee
EE Ee / ee
No cleft in chin
Dominant
CC Cc / cc
CC Cc / cc
CC Cc / cc
MM Mm / mm
MM Mm / mm
PP Pp / pp
PP Pp / pp
MM Mm /
mm
PP Pp / pp
Hair on middle joints of Dominant
fingers
Eye´s pigment
Dominant
Parent 1.
Mother
(Yes/ No?)
Possible
Genotypes
(Circle it)
RR Rr / rr
Parent 2.
Father
(Yes/ No?)
Possible
Genotypes
(Circle it)
RR Rr / rr
Freckles
Dominant
FF Ff / ff
FF Ff / ff
FF Ff / ff
Right handed
Dominant
HH Hh / hh
HH Hh / hh
HH Hh / hh
Vulcan hand
Dominant
VV Vv / vv
VV Vv / vv
VV Vv / vv
Now answer the following questions:
1. With the collected information in the table, present a pedigree for each feature, using the adequate symbols
for it.
2. Now choose one feature and build a pedigree chart by using as many members of your family you can ask. Try
to show their genotypes by using adequate symbols. Why is important to collect information from your parents?
3. Now use the following chart to determine your phenotype number:
4. Obtain the Number phenotype from your classmates and parents and graph the numbers. What are the most
common ones? Why do you think so?
5. How is the concept of variability and species linked with this exercise?
6. What conclusions can you draw about this exercise? Evaluate the procedure for the data obtaining and present
possible improvements to this exercise.
Bibliography:
Most data obtained from:
http://www.landmark.edu/institute/grants_research/biology_success/samples/humanmonogenicsinstructor.pdf
http://faculty.southwest.tn.edu/jiwilliams/Human_Traits.htm
http://www.usc.edu/org/cosee-west/AprilLectureMaterials/Activities/AnInventoryofMyTraits.pdf
The table was adapted from:
http://tedu556kyam.com/Documents/Human%20Traits%20Activity.doc.