Genetics Resources

In this standard we learn about inheritable traits, and how chromosomes recombine using a Punnett Square. A bit of math is integrated through the use of probabilities. We study these concepts through a crossing and building a family of Reebop creatures.

Power Standard: Use probability to predict offspring from sexual reproduction. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction.

State Standard: 8.MS-LS3-4(MA). Develop and use a model to show that sexually reproducing organisms have two of each chromosome in their cell nuclei, and hence two variants (alleles) of each gene that can be the same or different from each other, with one random assortment of each chromosome passed down to offspring from both parents.

How are traits passed from donor to offspring?

How do traits "skip a generation"?

Reebops insect genetic model

Gregor Mendel reading

Allele: a letter that represents a form of a gene, found in pairs.

Punnett square: a grid to help determine the combinations of alleles that could be inherited from the parents.

Dominant: a “loud” version of a gene/trait, that if inherited is always seen

Recessive: a “quiet” version of a gene/trait, that if inherited is only seen if both inherited genes are recessive

Genotype: the genes inherited that may or may not show

Phenotype: the expressed version of the gene based on the allele pair

Cross: to model a breeding of a trait from two donors

Offspring: the child, or result of the cross

Donor: the parent, or organism passing down genes to offspring