Copyright © 2011 InteractiveScienceLessons.com™

• a child inherits its genes from both parents

• typically, half the genes come from each parent

• this activity shows how genetic differences

accumulate over generations

Let’s read, starting on p.

Copyright © 2011 InteractiveScienceLessons.com™

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

You Spouse

Child Spouse

I.

II.

M M M M M M M M M M S S S S S S S S S S

heads tails

M S S M S M MS M %50 R R R R R R R R R R

Grandchild

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

S R R R S R M R M M %30 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Spouse

A A A A A A A A A AIII.

S

%100

heightheight

height nose

nosenose

chin

chinchin

height nose

heads tails

Copyright © 2011 InteractiveScienceLessons.com™

1. Record the percent of your DNA present in each generation:

I. ________ % (You!)

II. ________%

III.________%

IV.________%

V.________%

2. Compare the DNA of your child with that of your grandchild

Child:

Grandchild:

*comment:

3. Beginning with your great-great grandchild and working backwards to you, how many total people, including parents, and parents of parents, are there in the ancestry? Complete the chart below. Your answer will the number of people on line “I.“ (you’re one of them!).

_______ people!

Questions- Diluting Your DNA

Great-Great Grandchild

Mom Dad

Mom Dad

V.

IV.

III.

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