Investigating Human Traits

Background:

Human beings can be described through a variety of characteristics. Height, weight, eye and hair and
skin colour, strength, speed etc. These characteristics appear as a variety of traits, called
phenotypes. Phenotypes exist due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In this
experiment you will be assessing the phenotypes of as many people as possible to determine a
number of things. You will be gathering first hand data through a survey, and using this data to
support or refute a hypothesis.

Hypothesis:

The dominant phenotype is the most common phenotype in the population.

Method:

You will conduct a survey of the following traits:

1. Eye colour
2. Earlobe attachment
3. Cleft Chin
4. Dimples
5. Widows peak
6. Hair colour

You will decide on the numbers of people in your survey, the kinds of questions or survey techniques
you will use, and how you will represent your data, and what you will be comparing your data to.

You will conduct a survey of as many traits as possible, but you will not need to focus on all of them
to support/refute the hypothesis.

Research into the dominant and recessive nature of each trait will be important.

Results:

You will need to decide how to present your results. Remember that results should be clear, labelled
representations of your data. This should not contain any analysis or discussion, but should
communicate your findings objectively.

Discussion:

1. Compare your research of dominant/recessive phenotypes to your survey results to explain

whether the hypothesis has been supported or refuted.
2. What further data would you need to add support to your findings?
3. Were there any problems with your experiment that affected the validity of your results?
4. Do any of the traits above display codominance/incomplete dominance? What is the
definition of these modes of inheritance?
5. Choose one trait to discuss in detail. Which is the dominant phenotype and was this
phenotype the most common trait?
6. For the trait you have chosen, explain the kind of cross you would need to conduct to
determine whether an individual with the dominant phenotype is heterozygous or
 homozygous. Explain how the results of the cross would help you find this out. For this
questions it will be important to draw punnet squares and discuss the expected
phenotypic/genotypic ratios.

EXTENSION

7. For the trait you have chosen, research and describe the chromosome that the associated
gene is on, and show this on a chromosomal map.

Conclusion:

Summarise and highlight the findings and limitations of your experiment.

ASSESSMENT RUBRIC:
Criteria High -3 Medium -2 Low -1 No evidence -0 Circle
Planning and Student designs a method of Student designs a method Student conducts a Student does not design E
conducting comparing survey data to which conducts a survey and survey. an experiment. VG
research to test hypothesis completes research. G
Experimental A
Design B
NS
Recording and Survey results are presented in a Survey results and research Results of survey are Results are not shown. E
processing way that clearly represents a results are labelled and self- presented. VG
comparison to research with contained. G
Results data related to the hypothesis. A
B
NS
Analysing and Student links data and research Student describes whether Student describes Questions is not
evaluating directly to the hypothesis with their results support or refute results. answered.
E
an explanation of whether it is the hypothesis. VG
Discussion Q1 refuted or supported.
G
Analysing and Student acknowledges Student describes a method Student identifies Questions are answered
A
evaluating weaknesses of design, and to increase validity. limitations of incompletely. B
describes solutions to the design experiment.
Discussion Q2 with reasoning for those NS
and Q3 solutions.
Analysing and Student relates the data and a Student relates the results to Dominance and Questions are answered
evaluating discussion of dominance to the a discussion of dominant and recessiveness is incompletely.
Q4 and Q5 hypothesis. recessive inheritance. described.
Questioning Student describes how Student uses punnet squares Student describes a Question is answered E
and predicting expected ratios of crosses using to describe a method of method of testing for incompletely. VG
punnet squares will provide testing for the genotype. genotype. G
Discussion Q6 evidence to support or refute a A
hypothesis. B
NS
Communicating Conclusion highlights the Scientific conventions are The format of a Practical report is E
findings and limitations of the adhered to throughout and practical report is incomplete. VG
experiment, and an analysis of appropriate language is used. used to describe the G
the hypothesis with regard to experiment A
the results is summarised. B
NS
Total

_____ /21 = %