Alien Activity

Alien Activity

Purpose: to learn about dominant, recessive and hybrid traits and how they affect the traits of an organism. To distinguish between genotypes and phenotypes.

Materials: colored pencils, tag board, scissors and pennies

Procedure:  Part A    37 points

1. Flip pennies and record your results in sets of 12 on your data table. Each data table will create one alien. Heads = H,  Tails = h.

2. As a class, create a key for each of the 12 genotypes.

3. According to the key, label the specific trait represented by each numbered line on your data table. 6pts

4. Based on the information from your data table, draw your alien on the tag board provided. Cut out.2pts

5. Write a tasteful personal ad for your alien. The ad should include 2 out of the 12 specific traits that your alien is looking for in a mate. 2pts

6. After your alien is matched with a mate, two of you will share data - spouse's genotype. Then you will create 4 offspring by using Punnett squares to gather information.12 pts.

7. Draw the 4 offspring on tag board. Cut out. Name them but do not use students' names.8pts

8. Create a 5th offspring with a mutation.( Some severe cosmic radiation reached the alien planet and caused a mutation in the gametes of one of the parent aliens.) Draw this offspring on tag board. Cut out. 2pts

9. Determine whether the mutation in the 5th offspring is neutral, helpful or harmful to the offspring. Write a story about how this offspring's mutation occurred and how it affects the alien family. 5pts.

Part B: Complete the following questions. 10 points

1. What is a genotype? Explain using an example from your alien data.

2. What is a phenotype? Explain using an example from your alien data.

3. List that traits that showed incomplete dominance in your aliens.

4. Define mutation. Then explain how mutations can occur.

5. How could a mutation be considered good? Give an example.

6. How could a mutation be passed on to future generations?

7. List 4 things you learned doing this activity.

Parts taken from Nancy Cowdin's article  The Alien Lab: A Study in Genetics in Science Scope October 2002 Volume 26 Number 2

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