Date: Tue, 5 Mar 1996 18:16:57 -0800
From: fjduggan@luna.icons.net (Frank J. Duggan)
Subject: HILITES> 7-12 Mendelian Inheritance Patterns in Humans
Please print and distribute this call for collaboration to
teachers you know who may be interested in participating.
Project: Mendelian Inheritance Patterns in Humans
Date:
Registration: beginning ASAP and ending April 27th/96 point
your browser to:
"http://www.icons.net/~lbphigh/mendel.html" and from there
complete your registration at:
"http://www.icons.net/~lbphigh/registr.html"
Submitting Data: beginning April 1st accepted until May1st
"http://www.icons.net/~lbphigh/submit.html"
Accumulated Data: will be e-mailed to all registered
participants by May 7th/96.
Purpose:To determine if certain human traits are controlled by
single genes existing in two allelic forms which have a simple
dominant - recessive relationship. Students will learn that
scientific investigation is full of controversy and that our
experimental results will support one or the other side of a
particular controversy in regard to a particular traits
inheritance pattern. Because each of the traits are directly
linked to the database known as " Online Mendelian Inheritance in
Man", they will see the current relevance of the investigation
and the controversy surrounding the different theories.
Subjects: Biology/general science (genetics) are the main
curriculum areas being impacted.
Grade Level: From junior to senior high school
Summary: This is a standard genetics experiment at the high
school level that typically loses its significance because the
database is too small. As well, though it is personally relevant
it is not usually seen as being relevant to the wider scientific
community. However, since each of the traits is linked to the
OMIM database from the main web page
("http://www.icons.net/~lbphigh/mendel.html") the students can
experience the revelation that the inheritance patterns of these
traits are currently under investigation. In addition they can
search the OMIM database directly from the aforementioned web
page for other traits and inherited diseases. Each registered
participant will receive the accumulated data to use for
their own analysis.
Number of Participants: as many as possible
Project Coordinator: Frank Duggan,"fjduggan@icons.net"
Lester B. Pearson C.H.S.
2072 Jasmine Cr.
Gloucester, ON Canada
K1J 8M5
How to Register: If you have access to the WWW then just
point your browser to:
"http://www.icons.net/~lbphigh/mendel.html"
If you only have e-mail access then send the
following information to
"fjduggan@icons.net"
Your name:
Your e-mail address:
Your school:
Your country:
I will send you all the details.
Complete project outline and procedures:
"Mendelian Patterns of Inheritance In Humans"
Welcome to the human traits experiment being run by the Applied
Biology class of Lester B. Pearson C.H.S.
Problem: To determine if certain human traits are controlled by
single genes existing in two allelic forms which have a simple
dominant - recessive relationship.
Hypothesis: If a trait follows a Mendelian pattern of inheritance
then it should be found in its dominant form in approximately 66%
of the population and in its recessive form in about
33% of the population.
Method:First register your class or school then view and/or
download the drawing illustrating the traits. Print out the
method then survey your group for the traits being investigated.
When you have compiled the data from your school send it to us
via our submissions page or by e-mail to "fjduggan@icons.net".
Payoff: We (the students of Applied Biology) will compile all the
data submitted and send each participating school the results of
this project by e-mail. All registrations will first be validated
through e-mail confirmation.
The Traits
The traits below are linked to the Online Mendelian Inheritance
in Man (OMIM) database.
Specific, up to date and comprehensive information on each of
these traits, is only a click away!
Widow's peak or straight
Hyperextensible thumb (hitchhiker's thumb)
Ear lobe attachment (free or attached)
Hand Clasping Pattern (Left thumb over right or vice versa.)
Middigital hair (Prescence or abscence of hair on the middle
finger joint)
Ability to curl tongue
Ear wiggling ability
Method
Mendelian Patterns of Inheritance in Humans
Overview:
You need to know the total number of subjects participating.
Then for each trait, how many demonstrate the dominant form.
Consult the drawing illustrating the dominant form of the
traits.
Note: some investigators have suggested that males who
can curl their tongues are more likely than others in the
population to be able to wiggle their ears as well.
As a secondary investigation, you are asked to keep a
separate count of the number of subjects who can both curl their
tongue and wiggle their ears and of this group determine
how many are male and how many are female.
One Possible Approach
1.Print this page.
2.Explain the purpose of the experiment to the group.
3.Demonstrate the dominant form of the traits being
investigated using the drawing and/or volunteers.
4.List the dominant forms of the traits on the board (see
below).
5.Have the subjects work in pairs to identify what dominant
traits they exhibit phenotypically.
6.Have each participant approach the board and place a stroke
opposite each dominant trait that they share.
7.Write down the total number of participants and total the
number of strokes opposite each trait.
8.Identify by sex the number of participants who can curl
their tongue and wiggle their ears.
9.Submit your results.
"http://www.icons.net/~lbphigh/submit2.html"
"Dominant Trait Data Table"
Total Number of Subjects ###
Traits
Number with Trait
Widow's Peak ###
Inability to Hyperextend Thumb ###
Ear Lobes Free ###
*Left Thumb Over Right ###
Hair on Middle Joint of Fingers ###
Ability to Curl or Roll Tongue ###
Ability to Wiggle Ears ###
Secondary Investigation
Trait Combination
Total Number that Can Curl Tongue and Wiggle Ears ###
Number of Males ###
Number of Females ###
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