Summer SAVY 2018: Session 1, Day 2 – Dabbling with DNA, Miss P (Rising 3rd and 4th)
Hello Dabbling with DNA parents!
Today we were geneticists and discussed topics related to classical genetics. We learned a TON of new vocabulary, all related to inheritance. Can your young scientist tell you the difference between a dominant and recessive allele? Can they describe how genotype and phenotype are related? Our experiment today consisted of building a Baby Crazy. Both parents were heterozygous for different traits. Using coins, your child built a baby with traits it inherited from its parents. Ask your young scientist to describe their Baby Crazy- they were quite interesting creatures!
We collected data as a class about our Baby Crazies’ traits and visualized the data using bar graphs. Each trait was represented on the graph. We discussed the ratios of the dominant versus recessive trait. Can your young scientist explain the ratios we saw?
Finally, we completed Punnett squares as a class. Punnett squares are used to study inheritance of alleles for genes that follow Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance. Can you child remember what the 3 Laws of Inheritance are? Can they do a Punnett square for two heterozygote parents?
I hope your child is having as much fun as I am this week. And just think- we have 3 more days of learning all about DNA and its many roles in our everyday lives! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.
-Andrea Perreault
