The Genetics of Potato Head Parenthood
Activity
SC.11.04.02.01 Infers the traits of the offspring based on the genes of the
parents using Mendel’s laws (CMCS 3.10b) (CAS 8.2.2.c,d)
Task: In this exercise Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head will model how genetic traits are
inherited. You will be able to determine the phenotype (what the trait looks like)
and the genotype (what the genes are inside of you). For each of the following
traits you (Father potato-head ) and a partner (Mother potato-head) must flip a
penny the indicated amount of times. Heads mean dominant allele, tails means
recessive allele. Once all the traits have been determined, assemble the parts
on the attached sheet and paste it in your birth announcement.
Instructions to the teacher: 1. Make sure that each student understands the
difference between recessive and dominant alleles. In genetics, dominant alleles
are symbolized by using a capital letter, while a lower case letter is used for
recessive genes. 2. It is possible to have “ single” parents – they can toss the
coin by themselves. 3. Model the first trait by flipping the coin and showing
students what to write down.
Instructions to the student: Follow the directions for each trait, then select the
appropriate pieces off the parts list and assemble your child.
1. Boy or Girl:
Flip a penny two times, if Heads = X chromosome, if Tails = Y chromosome, XX
= girl, XY = boy.
We have a ___________
Genotype: ___________
2. Hair color:
Hair color is determined by three genes. Each dominant allele makes the hair
color darker, so flip the penny six times and count the number of dominant
alleles: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
0-1 dominants: blond hair
2-4 dominants: brown hair
5-6
dominants: black hair
Our baby has _______ hair.
Genotype: ____________
3. Eye color is also inherited from more than one gene. Flip the coin four times:
___ ____ _____ ____
If no dominants: blue eyes
1 dominant green eyes
2 dominants and
more brown eyes.
Our baby has ________ eyes.
Genotype: ____________
4. The shape and size of the chin is also inherited. If the baby inherits one or two
dominant alleles it will have a square chin, if there are no dominant alleles it will
have a round chin. (Toss the coin twice)
Our baby has a _______ chin.
Genotype: ____________
5. Flip the coin twice: If the baby has all recessive alleles it will have a dimple in
the chin.
Our baby has _______ dimple.
Genotype: _________
6. Ear shape. Flip the coin twice. If the baby has two dominant alleles it will have
prominent ears, else it will have small ears.
Our baby has ______ ears.
Genotype: _________
7. Nearsightedness is a recessive trait. Flip the coin twice, if the baby is
nearsighted it needs glasses.
Our baby needs ____ glasses.
Genotype: _________
8. Eyebrow shape: One recessive trait is the inheritance of a continuous
eyebrow. Flip the coin twice, if both alleles are recessive, the baby has a single
eyebrow.
Our baby has _____ eyebrow(s).
Genotype: _______
9. Nose shape. Flip the coin twice. If both alleles are dominant, the baby will
have a large nose, if one allele is dominant the baby will have a normal nose, if
both alleles are dominant the baby will have a button nose.
Our baby has a cute _______ nose.
Genotype: ________
10. Teeth: Yes, even the way your teeth look is inherited. Flip the coin twice: two
dominant alleles mean large teeth, everything else is normal.
Our baby does ____ need to go to the orthodontist.
Genotype: ________
11. Blood type. There are four main blood types A, B, AB and O. Mark one penny
A on one side and the other penny B on one side. Toss the coins twice. Read
the blood type of the coins ( nothing means 0) .
Our baby has blood type _____.
Genotype: ________
Height: Even height is determined genetically. Flip the coin six times: ____ ____
____ ____ ___ ___
For each dominant allele add 3 inches to a base height of 5 feet.
Our baby will be ________ tall when fully grown.
Genotype: ________
Yes, even weight runs in families. Toss the coin again six times: ___ ____ ____
____ ____ ___
For each dominant allele add 1/2 pound to a base weight of 6 pounds.
Our baby weighs ______ pounds.
Genotype: _______
14. Tongue shape is also inherited. Flip the coin twice. Homozygous dominance
means large and long tongue. Everything else means normal sized tongue.
Our baby has a _______ tongue.
Genotype: ________
15. There is always the risk of a new gene mutation. Flip the coin twice. If there
are only recessive alleles your baby has a mutation and is growing a third arm
out of its body.
Our baby needs ______ new tailor.
Genotype: _________
Now you are all done, except for the birth announcements: Paste the appropriate
body parts onto the birth announcement and fill out the information.
Congratulations it’s a potato!
CONGRATULATIONS!
IT’S A SPUD!
NAME: ____________ _____________
PARENTS: ___________ ___________
___________ ___________
WEIGHT: ___________ LBS.
PROJECTED HEIGHT: _____________