Genetics: An Introductory to
Inheritance and Physical Traits
Biology
Ms. Kraft
Ms. Sanford
How are the following parents and
their babies similar and different?
Record your answers in the chart that your
teacher has handed out for you.
Note similarities and differences
on your worksheet.
Note similarities and differences
on your worksheet.
Note similarities and differences
on your worksheet.
Note similarities and differences
on your worksheet.
Note similarities and differences
on your worksheet.
Traits of Simple Inheritance in
Humans
Now we are going to take a look at some
of the simple traits that are easy to
identify in humans.
1. Do you have dark eyes?
2. Can you roll your tongue?
Tongue-Rolling: Rolling up edges (dominant trait) vs not rolling (recessive)
3. Are your earlobes detached?
Earlobes: Free ear lobes (dominant trait) vs.
Attached ear lobes (recessive trait)
Free earlobes are those that hang below the
point of attachment to the head. Attached ear
lobes are attached directly to the side of the
head.
4. Do you clasp your right thumb on
top?
5. Do you have a widow’s peak?
Widow's Peak (below) is dominant over no widow's peak hairline.
6. Do you have a cleft chin?
Dimples: Dimples (dominant trait) vs. No dimples (recessive trait)
Dimples are natural dents in the face to the right or left of the mouth. If a person
has only one dimple, they should be counted as having dimples. Cleft chin is
dominant over no cleft.
7. Do you have a Hitch Hiker’s
Thumb?
Thumbs: Straight thumb (dominant trait) vs. Curved thumb (recessive trait) When
viewed from the side as in the illustration below, curved thumbs can be seen as part
of a circle.
8. Do you have cheek dimples?
9. Do you have hair on your middle
digit?
Mid-digit hair: Mid-digit hair (dominant trait) vs. No mid-digit hair (recessive trait)
10. Are you nearsighted?
If you are nearsighted, objects in the distance are
blurry.