REEBOP MEIOSIS: EXPLORING MEIOSIS BY RAISING REEBOPS IN THE CLASSROOM
BIO H
DR WEINER
Purpose:
To show how variations in offspring are the result of random separation of homologous chromosomes
during meiosis
Materials:
5 pairs of homologous chromosomes, colored pushpins, pipe cleaners, small pins, Reebop bodies
Procedure:
1. Using a piece of construction paper DIFFERENT IN COLOR from your partner’s, cut out 10 strips
of the following dimensions:
2 strips that are 1 in x 8 in (label 1 A and the other a)
2 strips that are 1 in x 6 in (label 1 N and the other n)
2 strips that are 1 in x 4 in (label 1 T and the other t)
2 strips that are 1 in x 2 in (label 1 E and the other e)
2 strips that are 1 in x 1 in (label 1 L and the other l)
2. Each parent is responsible for one color chromosomes. Each parent should pair up his
chromosomes by size, with the letters facing down. Each group of colored chromosomes represents
one parent’s set of homologous pairs of chromosomes. Each parent has 5 pairs of homologous
chromosomes.
3. Each parent should take one chromosome from each of their 5 pairs and place them in a “baby”
pile. These are the baby’s chromosomes: one from the mother and one from the father. Put the
remaining chromosomes back in the envelope to avoid confusion.
4. Turn over the baby’s chromosomes and decode what the baby Reebop will look like according to
the key. In the table III, write down the baby’s genotype and phenotype.
Genotype: what chromosomes the baby has
Phenotype: how the chromosomes express themselves in the baby
5. Construct the baby Reebop.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4, 5 more times. Note the phenotypes and record them in Table IV for Reebops
2-6.
TABLES III AND IV ARE NEEDED IN YOUR LAB REPORT
Questions:
1. Summarize the differences and similarities between the baby Reebops with each other and with the
parents.
2. What do each set of paired chromosomes represent? Explain your answer.
3. Why does each pair of chromosomes differ from the others? Explain your answer.
4. What do the different colored chromosomes in the baby Reebop represent?
5. How come all of the baby Reebops were not identical even though all parent Reebops were?
EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER!!
6. How come identical twins are the same? Explain your answer.
TABLE I: CHROMOSOME KEY
GENOTYPE
AA
Aa
aa
NN
Nn
nn
TT
Tt
tt
EE
Ee
ee
LL
Ll
ll
PHENOTYPE
1 antenna (pins)
2 antennas
3 antennas
Red nose (push pins)
Green nose
Blue nose
Curly tail (pipe cleaners)
Straight tail
No tail
Red eyes (push pins)
Green eyes
Blue eyes
Red legs (push pins)
Green legs
Blue legs
TABLE II: PARENT REEBOPS GENOTYPE AND PHENOTYPE
GENOTYPE
PHENOTYPE
Aa
2 antennas
Nn
Green nose
Tt
Straight tail
Ee
Green eyes
Ll
Green legs
TABLE III: BABY REEBOP’S GENOTYPE AND PHENOTYPE
GENOTYPE
PHENOTYPE
TABLE IV: PHENOTYPES OF OTHER BABY REEBOPS
PHENOTYPE
REEBOP 2 REEBOP 3 REEBOP 4 REEBOP 5
NUMBER OF
ANTENNAE
COLOR OF
NOSE
TYPE OF TAIL
COLOR OF
EYES
COLOR OF
LEGS
REEBOP 6