SESAME STREET GENETICS ACTIVITY
Introduction:
It is an exciting time for geneticists as they have just discovered the genome for Sesamus
muppetis (sesame street characters). They have determined that Sesame Street characters
have six chromosomes. On these chromosomes they have found specific locations of the
following genes: eye shape, nose color, lip color, body color, hair type, blood type and certain
genetic disorders. Due to your expertise in the genetics area they have hired you as their
apprentice to finish the job.
Your Job as a Genetic Apprentice
You were hired as an apprentice to the geneticists. Your task:
1) Research traits of specific Sesame Street characters and identify their genotypes and
matching phenotypes.
2) “Mate” two Sesame Street characters and determine the probability of their monster
children’s traits using punnett squares.
3) Create two new Sesame Street children using your punnett square probability and fill out
a monster profile for each.
4) Draw your Sesame Street family portrait and present to class, including a list of family
members, genetic make-up and monster profile of children.
CHECKLIST
Your performance will be assessed based on completion of the job you were
hired to do. To mark your progress, use the following checklist.
Date Completed:
____________ Observation of Genetics Traits of each Character (10 pts.)
____________ Monster Mates Genetic Profile (10 pts.)
____________ Sesame Street Punnett Squares (10 pts.)
____________ Creating Monster Offspring (10 pts.)
____________ Sesame Street Family Portrait and Presentation (10 pts.)
All Work Due on Presentation Date: __________
OBSERVATION OF GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS
Instructions:
Using table 1.1 and the Monster Profiles, fill in the genotypes and phenotypes tables below.
GENOTYPES TABLE
Eye Shape
Nose Color
Body Color
Hair Type
(Not Fur)
Fingers
Grover
Elmo
Zoe
Telly
Honker
Rosita
C.Monster
Abby
PHENOTYPES TABLE
Eye Shape
Grover
Elmo
Zoe
Telly
Honker
Rosita
C.Monster
Abby
Nose Color
Body Color
Hair Type
(Not Fur)
Fingers
OBSERVATION OF GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS
Instructions:
Using table 1.1, fill in the genotypes and phenotypes tables below.
GENOTYPES TABLE
Eye Shape
Nose Color
Body Color
Hair Type
(Not Fur)
Fingers
Grover
ee
PP
RO
XhY
Ff
Elmo
EE
PY
RR
XhY
FF
Zoe
Ee
PP
OO
XHXh
Ff
Telly
ee
PY
BO
XHY
FF
Green
Honker
Ee
PY
RB
XHY
Ff
Rosita
Ee
PY
RB
XHXh
Ff
C. Monster
Ee
RO
XhY
Ff
Abby
ee
BB
XHXh
Ff
Hair Type
(Not Fur)
Fingers
PP
PHENOTYPES TABLE
Eye Shape
Nose Color
Body Color
Grover
Endo
Pink
Blue
Bald
Y
Elmo
Exo
Orange
Red
Bald
Y
Zoe
Exo
Pink
Orange
Hair
Y
Telly
Endo
Orange
Magenta
Hair
Y
Honker
Exo
Orange
Green
Hair
Y
Rosita
Exo
Orange
Teal
Hair
Y
C. Monster
Exo
No Nose
Blue
Bald
Y
Abby
Endo
Pink
Pink
Hair
y
GENETICS OF SESAME STREET CHARACTERS (Table 1.1)
Characteristic
Eye Shape
Phenotype
Exo (pops out)
Endo(flat)
Genotype
EE, Ee
ee
Type of Inheritance
Dominant/recessive
Nose Color
Pink
Orange
Yellow
No Nose
PP
PY
YY
Incomplete dominance
Body Color
Red
Teal
Green
Blue
Magenta
Orange
Pink
RR
RB
RB
RO
BO
OO
BB
Multiple alleles; R,B, & O
Incomplete dominance
Hair Type
Hair
XHXH
XHXh
XHY
XhY
XhXh
X-Linked (Sex Linked)
FF, Ff
ff
Dominant/Recessive
Bald
Fingers
Fingers
No Fingers
Monster Profiles
Elmo
Birthday
Best Friend
Philosophy
Favorite Quote
Other
February 3rd
Zoe, Grover
Give Love and You shall Receive Love
“That Tickles”
Speaks like a kid, says “Elmo” instead of “I” / Homozygous for eyes and
fingers.
Zoe
Birthday
Best Friend
Philosophy
Favorite Quote
Other
September 30
Elmo, dolly Mimi
Collecting necklaces, bracelets and barrettes
“Don’t Joke Me”
Has a way with animals; loves ballet/ Heterozygous for hair, eyes, and
fingers.
Telly
Birthday
Best Friend
Philosophy
Favorite Quote
Other
September 29
Baby Bear and Oscar
Don’t Worry be Happy
“Are you sure it’s going to be alright?”
Dislikes surprises, circles / Homozygous for fingers.
Honker
Birthday
March 10
Best Friend
Everybody
Philosophy
Be Happy Stay Healthy
Favorite Quote
“Honk around the clock”
Other
Loves to drive around/ Heterozygous for eyes and fingers.
Grover
Birthday
Best Friend
Philosophy
Favorite Quote
Other
October 14
Kermit
To be Curious and Always be full of energy
“Hello every-bod-eeeeeeeee!”
An expert reader; loves to travel / Heterozygous for fingers.
Cookie Monster
Birthday
Best Friend
Philosophy
Favorite Quote
Other
November 2
Ernie
Eat cookies, everything in sight
“Me Want Cookie” and “Cowabunga”
Dislikes Empty plates; eating the last cookie / Heterozygous for eyes
and fingers.
Rosita
Birthday
Best Friend
Philosophy
Favorite Quote
Other
December 7
Zoe, Lulu
To cook and play is my game
“Hola”
Loves her dog Poquito / Heterozygous for hair, eyes, and fingers.
Abby
Birthday
Best Friend
Favorite Quote
Other
February 14
Big Bird
“That’s So Magical”
Heterozygous for hair and fingers.
Muppet Mates Genetic Profile
_________________ (Monster’s Name)
Characteristic
Eye shape
Phenotype
Genotype
Type of Inheritance
Genotype
Type of Inheritance
Nose Color
Body Color
Hair Type
Fingers
________________ (Monster’s Name)
Characteristic
Eye shape
Nose Color
Body Color
Hair Type
Fingers
Phenotype
SESAME STREET PUNNETT SQUARES
Please fill out the following Punnett Squares in order to determine the possible traits of the
Muppet Babies you will create. Then, using the space below each Punnett Square, tell the
probability for each phenotype (dominant and recessive). First, write the probability as a ratio,
i.e., 1:4, next as a percent, i.e., 25%.
Gender
X
X
X
Y
XX
XY
XX
XY
(female) = 2:4 = 1:2= 50%
XY (male) = 2:4 = 1:2 = 50%
Eye Shape: _____ x ____
Hair Type: ______ x ______
Genotype Percentages:
Phenotype Percentages:
Body Color: _____ x _____
Genotype Percentages:
Genotype Percentages:
Phenotype Percentages:
Phenotype Percentages:
Nose: ______ x ______
Fingers: ______ x ______
Genotype Percentages:
Genotype Percentages:
Phenotype Percentages:
Phenotype Percentages:
CREATING MONSTER OFFSPRING
Now that you have crossed your monsters, create two muppet children. One muppet child
should have the most likely characteristics (highest probabilities) from your punnett squares.
You can be creative with your second child, but you need to make sure that it has the possibility
of having traits based on your punnett square results. Name your monster children. Draw a
family portrait that includes all the inherited characteristics.
Name of Monster Child #1_______________
Characteristic
Phenotype
Genotype
Type of Inheritance
Probability of
Trait
Type of Inheritance
Probability of
Trait
Sex
Eye shape
Nose Color
Body Color
Hair Type
Fingers
Name of Monster Child #2_______________
Characteristic
Sex
Eye shape
Nose Color
Body Color
Hair Type
Fingers
Phenotype
Genotype
Sesame Street Characters
Elmo
Rosita
Zoe
Cookie
Monster
Telly
Grover
Green
Honker
Abby