Heredity of Human Traits Lab
Fun, discovery-based introduction to human genetics & heredity.
Challenge your students to determine the phenotype, genotype and frequency of easily observed human traits and identify the dominant and
recessive genes for each trait. With the class as a sample population, students use a variety of taste test papers to determine the percentage of individuals who can detect a unique taste. They then apply the
Hardy-Weinberg Principle to predict the allele frequency of this trait's gene and compare the estimate with their sample results. Additionally, students can construct and analyze a family pedigree for a selected trait, learning how it may be passed from one generation to the next. They also learn to use Punnett squares to predict ways genes can combine during fertilization.
Lab Investigation for 40 students.