Heredity and Genetics
Determining Your Genes:
Did you know that your genes determine whether or not you possess certain physical traits?
Well, they do. It's your genes that make you blue eyed or brown eyed, or have brown or blond
hair. Certain traits are controlled by only one gene, so it’s easy to determine which copy you
have.
You get one copy of the gene from your Mom and one from your Dad.
Mark which gene you have for each of the following traits by examining yourself for these
genes.
Tongue Rolling: Can you roll your tongue into a U-shape?
I can’t roll my tongue____
I can roll my tongue______
Attached Earlobes: Have a partner examine your earlobes. If they hang free at the bottom,
then they are unattached.
I have
unattached ear
lobes _______
I have attached
ear lobes
_______
Dimples: Dimples are the indentations you get in your cheeks when you smile
I don’t have
dimples ______
I do have dimples
________
Sex: The basic difference of being a Male vs. a Female
Male _____
Female _______
Freckles: Spots on your face that often come out when you are exposed to the sun, or are
there all the time.
I don’t
have
freckles
______
I do have
freckles
________
Widow's Peak: If your hairline is shaped in a downward "V", then you have a widows peak
I don’t have a
widow’s peak
_______
I do have a
widow’s peak
_______