Heredity

As seen in the fantasy species“Plutonian Cats”

IntroductionThe inheritance of physical characteristics from parents, while a simple idea

in principle, can be very complicated in practice. However, in order to be able to later understand the complicated aspects of it, it is useful to learn the simple version of it.

Every living plant and animal known to man has genes. These genes are a part of your DNA. Each gene is a code that your body uses to make something happen, like make enzymes to break down food or determine hair color. We get our genes from our biological parents: half from our biological father and half from our biological mother. There are a lot of different mechanisms that determine which of the genes we get from our parents are going to be used but that will be a topic for another time.

For now, we will be playing with which genes are passed on in a fantasy species called the Plutonian cats. There are only three different sets of genes that vary in these cats (humans have millions of genes that vary!) and all of them have to do with color. Instead of chance picking which genes will be passed on and expressed, you will be doing the picking to see the different types of kittens that these two parents might have. Click the continue button to start!

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Meet the Parents

These two Plutonian cats are planning on having a baby. Instead of chance determining what their offspring will look like, you will be doing the choosing. Click on the buttons provided to make your choice.

When you are ready to start, click continue.

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Coat Color

Please choose the color of the coat.

PurplePurpleBlueBlue

Eye Color

Pick the color of the eyes

YellowYellowGreenGreen

Eye Color

Pick the color of the eyes

YellowYellowGreenGreen

Antenna Color

Pick the color of the antenna

RedRedOrangeOrange

Antenna Color

Pick the color of the antenna

RedRedOrangeOrange

Antenna Color

Pick the color of the antenna

RedRedOrangeOrange

Antenna Color

Pick the color of the antenna

RedRedOrangeOrange

The Kitten

Here is the kitten that you helped select

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The Kitten

Here is the kitten that you helped select

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The Kitten

Here is the kitten that you helped select

ContinueContinue

The Kitten

Here is the kitten that you helped select

ContinueContinue

The Kitten

Here is the kitten that you helped select

ContinueContinue

The Kitten

Here is the kitten that you helped select

ContinueContinue

The Kitten

Here is the kitten that you helped select

ContinueContinue

The Kitten

Here is the kitten that you helped select

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Here are all the possible kittens that could have been created. If you have time, please feel free to go back and try to get all the possible combinations.

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