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Note Sheet #1
What is Heredity?
Go to http://learn.genetics.utah.edu . In the middle column, choose the button called
Heredity and Traits. Choose the button called “What is Heredity?” Watch the video
and complete the following notes as you watch “What is Heredity?”
1. The passing of ____________ from parent to child is the basis for heredity.
2. Our ______________ encode the instructions that define our _____________.
3. Genes are made up of __________ and are located on _________________.
4. Humans have 2 sets of ______ chromosomes.
5. Each parent contributes ____ ____________ _____________ of
chromosomes to a child.
6. Sperm and egg cells each have only ______ chromosome. When they join,
they create a single cell called a ______________.
7. A child must receive exactly ___________ of each chromosome from each
parent.
8. Every child has a ______________ set of chromosomes even if they have the
same parents.
9. Traits can be passed through many _______________________.
Close this video and now click the “What is a Trait?” button. Complete the notes on
the next page as you watch the next video.
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Note Sheet #2
“What is a Trait?”
Examples of physical traits are: __________________________________________
Examples of behavioral traits are: ________________________________________
Some diseases that can be passed from parent to child are: _____________________
____________________________________________________________________
Genes shape our traits, but the _____________________ or ____________________
influences in our life are just as important.
Give one example of how your environment can change an inherited trait:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Do you have a straight thumb (H) or a hitchhiker thumb (h)?
__________(H)
__________(h)
Scientists describe the set of genetic information for each form as an ____________.
H and h are called alleles.
We have 2 alleles for each ______________. When you have 2 of the same alleles
for a trait, it is called _____________________________________. When 2
different alleles are present, it is called _________________________________.
H + h would result in a ___________________________ thumb.
H is called __________________________. h is called ______________________.
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When you have 2 different alleles for a trait, it is called _______________________.
A child’s trait is determined by __________________________________________.
Sometimes, alleles work together to produce _________________ ______________.
Traits shaped by more than one or by many genes are called ___________________
____________________.
All humans share ______% _______________ DNA!
Now, close out of this slideshow. Click on the button that reads “Observable Traits”
to find out which dominant and recessive traits you have. Complete the table below
for each trait for yourself, give the name and check if it is recessive or dominant.
Trait Name
Recessive Dominant
Trait Name
Recessive
Dominant
Do you have more recessive traits or dominant ones? __________________