4.01 Introduction to Genetics

Here we are, at the entrance to the park. Oh and look, there's the gift shop. Let's stop by and pick up a park map. Oh, don't forget an event and show schedule. We don't want to miss anything!

Even though I've been a tour guide here for several years, I never get tired of taking folks through Genetic Park! There are so many fun things to do, and I seem to learn something new each time I take a group! This BioTour was created just for BioVentures Unlimited so it is going to be extra special.

In this activity you will:

define vocabulary related to genetics
analyze the contributions of Gregor Mendel to the study of genetics through his experiments with pea plants
investigate inherited traits
gain an understanding of
- how scientists use genetics to create animals and plants with traits they desire
- how the field of genetics affects our lives daily

While we wait in line, let me tell you a little bit about myself.

I come from a medium size family from North Carolina. As you see, I have straight, dark brown hair, medium brown skin, and brown eyes while my brother has curly, lighter brown hair, very dark brown skin, and green eyes. It's funny, even though we went to the same high school, and have the same last name, no one knew we were related. To top it off, we really don't look a lot like our parents either.

Strange, huh? On the other hand, I have this friend, Sara, who has a younger sister that looks just like her. I mean it is scary how much they look alike. Plus, they look just like their mother. They even twirl their hair alike when they talk. It is so wild!

Oh good we're at the turn style -- here we go!

Heredity

What makes some siblings (kids from the same parents) look so much alike and others look so different from each other? Heredity, that's what. Heredity is defined as the passing of traits, in the form of genes, from parents to offspring (children).

Take a look at these groups of siblings. Look carefully at each set and see if you can see any family resemblances? Now, try picking out the twins? There are two sets! Yep, there really are. See if you can pick them out. Then roll your mouse over each image to see if you were right.

three African American boys. The two on the sides look more alike, but they are not twins

two Caucasian looking boys. The one on the left looks bigger than the one on the right.

two Caucasian looking kids, girl on the left and boy on the right. They are twins.

two Asian looking kids, boy on the left and girl on the right. They are not twins.

two Caucasian looking girls who look very much alike. They are identical twins.

How'd you do? Bet you got one set right on the money; the other was maybe not so easy to pick out.

One set of twins is identical. They should have been pretty easy to pick out. The other set, the little boy and girl, is a set of fraternal twins. More on twins another time, but in the case of fraternal twins, they are born at the same time (making them twins), but genetically they are no more identical than any other set of siblings. Fun huh!?!

Continue exploring Genetic Park by clicking the BioVenture tab.