Vocab
Chromosome
Autosome
Sex chromosome
Gene
Allele
Trait
Genotype
Phenotype
Dominant
Recessive
Gamete
Haploid
Diploid
Homologous chromosomes
Homozygous
Heterozygous
Carrier
Incompletely dominant
Codominant
Sex-linked
Epistasis
Polygenic
Cross
Test cross
Linked Genes
Crossing over
Recombination
X-inactivation
Epigenetics
Use a 6-sided die to determine some of your creature’s genotypes. Roll twice for each gene (one for each
chromosome) and write the allele letters on your paper chromosomes BOLDLY! Leave unused genes blank.
Gene B
B = 1, 2, 3
b = 4, 5, 6
Gene E
E = 1, 2
eh = 3, 4
e = 5, 6
Gene L
LR = 1
LB = 2,3
LY = 4
Gene I
IA 1, 2
IB 3, 4
i = 5, 6
Gene XE
XE = 1, 2, 3
Xe = 4, 5, 6
Genes R, T, W, G
R, T, W, G = 1, 2, 3
r, t, w, g = 4, 5, 6
l = 5, 6
 (roll the same way as Gene B)
(If you roll g/g, your creature dies before birth; so pretend that didn’t happen and use g/G instead)
Gene Descriptions:
Gene B codes for a protein that is a brown pigment in the iris (the colored part of the eye),
Gene R codes for a protein that is a green pigment in the iris.
Recessive alleles, (b) or (r), do not produce a functional protein. If both brown and green pigments are present,
eyes will be colored hazel. If no pigment is present, eyes will be colored blue.
Gene E codes for a protein that is required for cells to make colored pigments. This gene controls body color
expression (3 possible alleles, each completely dominant over the next).
E full color > eh “Himalayan” pattern (the protein only functions at colder temperatures: nose, ears, hands, feet) >
e no color.
Gene G codes for a protein growth factor: normal size (GG), dwarfism (Gg), lethal (gg)
Gene I codes for proteins that are on the outside of red blood cells (your body will attack the proteins if it does
not recognize them)
IA/ IA or IA /i = “Blood type A”
IA /IB = “Blood type AB”
IB/IB or IB/i = “Blood type B”
ii = “Blood type O”
Gene L codes for a protein pigment on the body (4 possible alleles: red, blue, and yellow are equally dominant
over white) LR red = LB blue = LY yellow > l white
Note: combinations of primary colors result in secondary colors (e.g. red + yellow = orange, etc.)
Gene T codes for a protein pigment in the nails/claws: black (T_), colorless (tt)
Gene W codes for the oxytocin receptor, which produces feelings of love and bonding when activated by oxytocin.
The recessive allele (w) produces a dysfunctional protein. Heterozygous (Ww) individuals are less dedicated to
their mates than homozygous dominant (WW) individuals.
Gene XE codes for a red photopigment used in the eye to distinguish between red and green. Without at least 1
copy of this gene, the creature can see yellows and blues, while greens and reds both appear brown-ish.
SRY (“Sex-determining Region of the Y Chromosome) codes for proteins that trigger development of male gonads,
which produce testosterone (a hormone that controls other male traits).
Chromosome Project:
Step 0: “Paper Chromosomes”
-Cut them out, randomly select alleles, and label each of them on their backs.
-Pick the sex of your creature. A female will have two of chromosome 1, two of chromosome 2, and two X
chromosomes. A male will have one X chromosome and the Y chromosome instead of the second X chromosome.
Put that leftover sex chromosome away. Your creature should have 6 chromosomes now.
Note: You may either keep your paper chromosomes safe in your binder and bring them each day, or Mr. Warren
can store them for you in the classroom so you don’t lose them.
Step 1: “Getting to know my creature”
-Define the following (in your own words): Chromosome, Autosome, Sex chromosome, Gene, Allele, Trait
-Use your paper chromosomes to answer the following questions:
1) How many chromosomes does your creature have? List their names.
2) How many of your creature’s chromosomes are autosomes? List their names.
3) How many of your creature’s chromosomes are sex chromosomes? List their names.
4) Is your creature male or female? How do you know?
5) How many genes have been identified so far? List them.
6) Give an example of a gene with 2 alleles (list the alleles) and a gene with 3 alleles (list the alleles)
7) List 3 examples of traits for which genes have been identified (see gene descriptions on front side).
Step 2: “Genotypes and Phenotypes”
-Define the following (in your own words): Genotype, Phenotype, Homozygous, Heterozygous, Dominant, Recessive
-For each gene identified so far, make a T-chart of each trait with its genotypes & phenotypes
Then, circle/highlight the genotype and phenotype your creature has (see below for example).
Trait: Eye color
(Separate T-charts)
Genotype
BB
Bb
bb
Genotype
RR
Rr
rr
Phenotype
Phenotype
(Combined T-chart)
Genotype Phenotype
BBRR
BBRr
BBrr
BbRR
BbRr
Bbrr
bbRR
bbRr
bbrr
(Combined, short-hand T-chart)
Genotype
B_R_
bbR_
B_rr
Phenotype
Note: B_ represents both
BB and Bb because their
phenotypes are the same.
(The same goes for R_)
Step 3: “Types of Genes & Traits”
-Define the following (in your own words): Complete Dominance, Incomplete Dominance, Codominant,
X-linked (Sex-linked), Epistasis, Polygenic trait
-Identify one book example for each of the above vocabulary words (see chapters 6.4, 7.1, 7.2)
-Label your creature’s T-charts from Step 2 with the appropriate vocabulary word(s)
Step 4: “Identifying the rest of my creature’s genes”
G-31 (10 pts.): Design a gene that demonstrates complete dominance, design another gene that demonstrates
incomplete dominance, and design a third gene that demonstrates codominance.
G-32 (10 pts.): Design an X-linked gene (a sex linked gene that is on the X chromosome), design another gene that
demonstrates epistasis, and design a polygenic trait with 2 or more genes
Extension for if you have down time (1 stamp each)
-Design a single gene with 5 or more alleles
-Design one gene that demonstrates both, codominance and incomplete dominance
-Design an X-linked gene that also demonstrates epistasis
-Design a polygenic trait with 3 or more genes
-Design genes for all of the empty spaces on your creature’s chromosomes
INSTRUCTIONS:

Label your paper with the objective (G-31, G-32, or “Extension”)

Choose an unused space on your paper chromosomes:
o Chromosome 1: A, F, H, J, M
Chromosome 2: N, P, Q, U, Z
A
B
F
G
H
o X Chromosome: X , X , X , X , X
Y Chromosome (only if your creature is male): YA, YB

Describe in writing what the gene does and its alleles
o Include the vocabulary words(s) you are demonstrating in your description.
 Ex: “IA and IB are codominant with each other, but both are completely dominant over i”
o Be creative! You may not use the same combination of alleles/traits/vocab as anyone else!

Identify the gene and trait, and then make a T-chart of all possible genotypes and phenotypes

Circle/highlight your creature’s genotype/phenotype for that trait
o For genes you designed, either decide which alleles your creature has or choose randomly
o Write in the allele letters on your paper chromosomes for that gene
G-33 (5 pts.): Make a colored miniposter of your creature, featuring all visible phenotypes including the ones you
designed. Also, write out all of your creature’s genotypes and phenotypes for the traits you can see in the picture,
and use arrows to point them out.
Step 5:
-Define the following (in your own words): Gamete, Haploid, Diploid, Homologous chromosomes
-Define the following (in your own words): Homozygous Dominant, Homozygous Recessive, Heterozygous, Cross