Cootie Bugs
Gathering Information:
Science AKS
 compare and contrast the characteristics of learned behaviors and inherited traits (GPS, ITBS)
(5SC_D2006-14)
 demonstrate knowledge of scientific processes and inquiry methods (GPS, ITBS) (5SC_A2006-2)
Genetics is the study of inherited traits this includes genes and chromosomes. Humans have 46 chromosomes in each
body cell or 23 pairs. The genes on the chromosomes have control of the different traits. For example a gene may control
for eye color. All genes come in pairs. Half of the pair come from the mother and the other half from the father. There are
different forms of genes called alleles.
Dominant allele traits always show up when the allele is present. A recessive allele is covered up or masked when a
dominant allele is present. The dominant allele symbol is a capital letter (T). The recessive allele symbol is a lower case
letter (t). For example brown eyes (B) are dominant over blue (b), and appear more often.
The genotype is the symbol for the allele. A phenotype is the physical trait that shows up.
Allele combination (genotype)
Physical appearance
(phenotype)
BB
Brown eyes
Bb
Brown eyes
bb
Blue eyes
Problem: Will the cootie bug have mostly dominant or recessive traits?
Hypothesis: Look at the chart and determine if your cootie bug will have more dominant or recessive traits. Explain why
you think so.
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Materials:
1. Construction paper
2. Two color counters
3. Markers
Experiment/ Procedures:
1. Each pair will flip the counters.
2. Record the genotype and phenotype in the chart for each trait.
3. Use the chart to create your cootie bug
4. Tally the dominant and recessive traits.
5. Complete the summary activities.
Collect Data
Traits
Dominant
Recessive
Antennae
Body Segments
Eyes
Tongue
Color of body
Leg number
2 antennae
3 segments
2 eyes
Curly
Green
6 legs
1 antennae
2 segments
3 eyes
straight
yellow
8 legs
From Father
From Mother
Which trait
does the
cootie bug
have?
Cootie Bugs
Analyze Data: Make a bar graph of the percentages of dominant and recessive
Conclusions:
1. Which of your cootie bug’s traits are dominant?
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2. Which of your cootie bug’s traits are recessive?
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3. Are any of the other cootie bugs in the class like yours?
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4. What are chances that if you created a second cootie bug it would be identical to the first?
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5. What percentage of 2 body segment cootie bugs have 2 eyes? Three eyes?
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6. Are there any other comparisons you can make?
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