Name
Class
Date
Creature Feature Lab
Background Information: Traits are genetic characteristics that are unique and help identify one organism
from another. The genetic code, or genes, (called the genotype) responsible for determining the traits of an
organism can sometimes be determined just by the way the organism looks (the phenotype). Other times we
must know the genes of the parents in order to determine the genotype of the offspring. It is also possible to
“create” an organism simply from interpreting its genotype.
Objectives:
 To identify both recessive and dominant genetic traits and determine how these traits affect both the
genotype and the phenotype of an individual organism.
 To become familiar with Punnett squares and be able to use this tool to predict possible offspring.
Problem: What information is necessary in order to predict the traits of an organism’s offspring?
Hypothesis:
Materials:
(List all materials used.)
Procedure:
1. Choose a minimum of 10 traits (from the possible traits list, or make up your own) and record them
in your data table.
2. Decide which gene will be the dominant gene and what the recessive gene will be for each trait.
3. Choose heads or tails for the dominant gene.
4. Flip a coin two times in order to create the genotype for the first trait of your creature.
5. Repeat step 4 until the genotype for all traits has been determined.
6. Determine the resulting phenotype for all of your creature’s traits.
7. Draw a picture of the creature that you created.
Possible Creature Traits (from list choose dominant and recessive trait pairs, or create your own)
Body covering - fur, feathers, skin, hair;
Body parts - tail, horns, hooves, arms, legs, tentacles, hands, feet, irregular;
Head – round shape, square, odd, big size, small, none, etc.;
Eyes – blue, brown, red, none, large, small, multiple, single, etc.;
Ears – round, square, oval, irregular, none, etc.;
Wings – long, short, none, curved, shaped;
Nose – short, long, shaped, none, etc.;
Mouth – curved, straight, round, none, etc.;
Height – tall, short;
Body shape – round, thin, irregular, fat, etc.;
Body color – red, blue, green, etc.
Data:
Trait
Dominant/Recessive
Dominant
Gene
Recessive
Gene
Genotype
Phenotype
Conclusion: (Form a conclusion based on your hypothesis and data.)
Discussion Question:
1. Were the genotypes always the same for the expressed traits (phenotypes) ? Explain why or why not.
2. From your data table give one example of a homozygous trait and one example of a heterozygous
trait.
Going Further: Two of your creatures decided to have offspring. Using Punnett squares, determine the
probable genotype and phenotype for three of the traits you chose for your data table.
Trait
Trait
Trait
% phenotype =
% phenotype =
% phenotype =
% genotype =
% genotype =
% genotype =
Summary: (Using complete sentences write a summary of the lab activity. Use the standard threeparagraph format.)
Note: Using the proper scientific terms be sure to explain how the inheritance of traits is
controlled in organisms.