Student Worksheet - Fun Bugs printable pdf download

Fun Bugs!

Name_______________________per___date___

Background: Genes contain the information that determines traits in living things. Each version of

a gene is called an allele. Genes come in pairs on homologous chromosomes. Homologous

chromosomes are separated during meiosis and sort independently of each other. This mixture of

genes makes new individuals with a variety of traits. You will be simulating the process of meiosis

to make new baby Fun Bugs!

Materials: penny, 8 Fun Bug Chromosomes (2 different colors), toothpicks, small colored

marshmallows, large marshmallows, chocolate chips, dots, pretzel sticks, macaroni pasta, rotini

pasta, linguini pasta, cinnamon hearts or orange slices for wings.

Procedures:

1. Select a chromosome 1 (pink). Flip a penny for each trait listed in the chromosome 1 chart

to find out if the gene is dominant or recessive.

• Heads = dominant trait

• Tails = recessive trait

Write each gene onto the chromosome. (Use cursive to write the lower case of a recessive

trait, it will make it easier to distinguish dominant from recessive.)

2. Repeat the process for a second chromosome 1. You need to have 2 pink chromosomes.

3. Choose a chromosome 2 (green). Repeat the procedure to determine the traits using the

chromosome 2 chart. You need to have 2 green chromosomes.

Chromosome 1 (pink)

Chromosome 2 (green)

Trait

Possible

Trait

Possible

Genes

Nose color

P or p

Tail

T or t

# of legs

L or l

# of antenna

N or n

# of body segments

M or m

Leg length

G or g

Hump color

H or h

# of humps

C or c

# of eyes

B or b

# of wings

W or w

4. Using the chromosomes to fill in the Fun Bug

Parent Traits chart.

5. Gather the supplies needed and build your

parent Fun Bug.

6. Partner up with someone at your table. Your

parent Fun Bugs are now going to have babies!

7. In order to have babies, each fun bug parent

must make gametes, and in order to make

gametes the chromosomes must be replicated.

Cut out the rest of the chromosomes. Duplicate

the original chromosomes by writing the same

traits on the new ones. Now you should have 4 pink chromosomes and 4 green

chromosomes.

8. Next, shuffle the chromosomes and let your partner choose one pink and one green

chromosome at random. These two chromosomes represent a gamete from one Parent Fun

Bug. Then randomly select one of each chromosome from your partner. This represents the

gamete from the other Parent Fun Bug. The combination of these gametes results in a new

Student Worksheet - Fun Bugs

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