Tennessee Science Grade 7

Unit 2: Life Science: Reproduction and Heredity

Patterns of traits in family tree

Introduction:

Can you roll your tongue? Are you the only “lefty” in your family? What color are your eyes compared to other members of your family? Answers to these types of questions can help you trace the patterns of heredity in your family. Some traits are dominant and others are recessive. Heredity is the passing of traits from parents to offspring. Which traits were passed to you?

Task:

Become a genealogist looking for patterns of hereditary traits in your family tree. Use the information to create a chart of hereditary traits in your family and include information about who expresses certain traits. Include parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters in your research.

Time:

One week to research family members’ traits and one class period to create and submit the hereditary chart for your family.

Example Chart (your chart may vary depending on the type of traits and people you choose to investigate)

Type of Trait	Person 1	Person 2	Person 3	Person 4	Person 5	Person 6	Person 7
Eye Color
Hair Color
Ability to roll tongue
Hitchhiker’s Thumb
Widow’s Peak

Resources:

What is Genealogy?
http://www.smgf.org/pages/genealogy.jspx

The Gene School – Heredity
http://library.thinkquest.org/19037/heredity.html

Kids Genetics
http://www.genetics.gsk.com/kids/heredity01.htm