Have you ever thought why your hair is a certain color or your eyes? Each gene in our DNA determines or in some way affects something in our body. This is true for humans and all other living things. DNA is composed of tons of different genes. Each gene controls a trait that is expressed in the body of the organism. Human are thought to have twenty-five thousand genes. Genes undergo changes over the life of the organism they are in. In many cases genes can be altered naturally and in some cases can be altered by their environment. Genetics is the science of understanding how characteristics are transferred from a parent to their young. We can use our understanding of genetics to do many different things. It can be used to predict what types of traits future crops will have in a certain region. It can also help us understand the genetic challenges or advantages that our children may have as they grow. While the expression of genes is never a fully certainty, it is a good predictor of possibilities. This is why learning about your family health history is important. Doctors will often use this information to help them in the diagnostic process and be sure to look at symptoms or indicators of aliments or diseases that your family members may have experienced.
This series will show students how to use statistical techniques to predict the outcome to the offspring of parents. We will start with single genetic traits and then advance on to the possibilities of receiving several traits. We will explore the differences between genotypes and phenotypes and how to predict and observe this. Students will also explore how genes are formed and carried on to other body cells. This series of worksheets keys in on the prediction of hereditary trait transfer. They start with simple Punnett Squares and move to detecting complex Dihybrid traits.