Muppet Genetics Project
Due _______________________
Introduction
Much is known about the genetics of Sesamus muppetis. Karyotyping reveals that Sesame
Street characters have six chromosomes: two homologous pairs and one pair of sex
chromosomes. Chromosome pair #1 is the largest and has a centrally placed centromere.
Chromosome pair #2 is much shorter with the centromere at one end. Sex is determined by X
and Y chromosomes just as it is in the related species, Homo Sapiens. Through the process of
gene mapping, geneticists have found the specific locations of the genes for eye shape, nose
color, lip color, body color, and hair type. By observing the offspring of many crosses,
geneticists also have determined the types of inheritance that several of these genes exhibit.
Objective
In this lab you will determine the genotypes of six Sesame Street characters, “mate” two
characters to produce offspring.
The total project is worth 100 points and will be based on requirements outlined on the next
page. The final information submitted to me on the due date should be neatly written in ink,
typed, or generated on the computer. Your project grade will be based upon the completion of
ALL requirements, neatness, and organization.
Muppet Genetics Page 1
Requirements
1. Completion of “Phenotype & Genotype Table”
20 pts.
a. For each Sesame Street character, describe each of the traits on the table on Page 3.
b. Use the Genetics of Sesame Street Characters Table (Page 3) to determine the possible
genotypes for each of the Sesame Street characters based on each character’s phenotypes.
Use this information to fill in both genotype and phenotype on your table.
2. Completion of “Muppet Mate’s Characteristics”
10 pts.
3. Completion of “Punnett Squares AND Probabilities”
30 pts.
Use the six Punnett Squares to show the possible outcomes for male and female characters in
your project. The probabilities, expressed as ratios AND percents, must be listed for each
possible trait.
4. Completion of “Muppet Babies’ Characteristics and Sketch”
20 pts.
5. Family Portrait
20 pts.
Create a family portrait of your Sesame Street Monster Family. The following criteria MUST
be met:
a. Paper must be white 8 ½ x 11 computer paper
b. Portrait must include “parents” and both “offspring”
c. Portraits need to be in color and the colors must match the genetic descriptions
Muppet Genetics Page 2
Genetics of Sesame Street Characters Table
Characteristic
Eye Shape
Nose Color
Lip Color
Body Color
Hair Type
(not Fur)
Phenotype
Exo (pops out)
Endo (flat)
Pink
Orange
Green
Tan (yellowish)
Red
Magenta/Purple
Orange
Red
Purple/Magenta
Pink
Blue
Green
Orange
Hairy
Bald
Genotype
EE, Ee
ee
PP, Pp, Pg
pp
gg
pg
MM
Mm
mm
RR
RB
RO
BB
BO
OO
HH, Hh
hh
Type of Inheritance
Dominant
Recessive
Dominant
Recessive
Recessive
Incomplete Dominance
Incomplete Dominance
Multiple Alleles: R, B, & O.
Incomplete Dominance
Dominant
Recessive (sex-linked)
Phenotypes & Genotypes Table
Eye Shape Nose
Color
Lip Color
Blue - BB
Grover
Bald - hh
Elmo
Zoe
Exo- EE/Ee
Hairy-HH/Hh
Telly
Orange - mm
Honker
Natasha
Honkette
Body Color Hair Type
Endo-ee
Tan - pg
Muppet Genetics Page 3
Muppet Mates’ Characteristics
Using a female and a male Muppet from the list please record the
characteristics for each category. You will “breed” these mates together to
create two “Muppet Babies” of your own (a male and a female).
Characteristics
Phenotype
Name
(Gender)
Grover
Elmo
Telly
Honker
Male’s
Genotypes
Female’s
Genotypes
Name_________________
Name___________________
XY
XX
Zoe
Natasha
Honkette
______________________
_______________________
Pink
Orange
Green
Tan (yellowish)
______________________
_______________________
Lip Color
Magenta/Purple
Red
Orange
______________________
_______________________
Body Color
Red
Purple/Magenta
Pink
Blue
Green
Orange
______________________
_______________________
Hairy
Bald
______________________
_______________________
Eye Shape
Exo (pops out)
Endo (flat)
Nose Color
Hair Type
Muppet Genetics Page 4
Punnett Squares for “Muppet Babies”
Please fill out the following Punnett Squares in order to determine the possible
traits of your Muppet Babies. Then, using the space below each Punnett
Square, tell the probability for each phenotype (dominant and recessive).
First, write the probability as a ratio, i.e., 1:4, next as a percent, i.e., 25%.
Gender
X
Eye Shape
Nose Color
Y
X
XX
XY
X
XX
XY
XX (female) = 2:4 = 1:2
= 50%
XY (male) = 2:4 = 1:2
= 50%
Lip Color
Body Color
Hair Type
Muppet Genetics Page 5
“Muppet Babies” Characteristics
Using your Punnett Squares, list the characteristics (phenotype) of each of
your babies. Remember, the characteristics of each baby MUST have been
possible when using the Punnett Squares.
Boy
Girl
Name
Eye Shape
Body Color
Nose Color
Lip Color
Hair Type
Please make a sketch of each Muppet Baby below. This will serve as a rough
draft for your family portrait.
Muppet Genetics Page 6