Category:Biology:genetics

Biology: Genetics How is it that you and your family look so much alike?

Overview: Every one's DNA has a different genetic code. That genetic code is a mismatch of genes from ones parents. That is also how your parents obtained their genetic code, from your grandparents! In a sense, genes get mixed and matched over generations. That is how you may look like your one of grandparents or even a great grandparent!

Genotypes are internally coded, inhertible information that can be found within the genetic code. Genotypes are essentially stored information that are used as a type of "blueprint" for building and maintaining an organism. The genetic code can control a variety of things within ones body such as proteins, regulation of metabolism, synthesis and genetic disorders. However, for this excerise we will only be concentrating on how the genetic code pre-determines the way we look.

Genotypes then code for a phenotype. Phenotype is the outward, physical appearance of an organism. Such as being tall, short, blonde, having brown eyes, short fingers, etc.

Assignment: Creating your own phenotypic family tree

(Completing this assignment involves using your notes from todays class) On the other sheets attached to this site create your family tree. The best way to create a family tree would be to go to paint and save your tree onto your computer. Then you can download the picture onto the page. Each person should create a family tree with no less than 10 people. When you post your family tree leave it incomplete. By incomplete I want four spaces without a phenotypic designation. The four empty spaces must be assigned a sex. A member of your group will complete the tree for you using the skills we have previously learned on how to predict phenotypes. Each of the six member of the group will pick two trees to complete. When you choose the trees you want to complete write your name on the site so your other group members can see which have been completed. Make sure that each persons tree gets completed. Next class: Each person will have the answers to their own family tree and will be ready to share the answers to their group members in class. If a member of your group does not get the correct answer, work with him or her and figure it out together.