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Take a Class Survey

Are your earlobes free or attached?

genetic traits

  1. The traits illustrated above are determined by the presence of dominant and recessive alleles. Survey the members of your class to complete the Class Traits Data Table below.

  2. As you fill in the data table make sure to enter a number into each of the blank spaces.

    Class Traits Data Table

    Dominant Trait Number of
    Students    		 Recessive Trait Number of
    Students
    Free earlobes Attached earlobes
    Hair on fingers No hair on fingers
    Widow's peak No widow's peak
    Curly hair Straight hair
    Cleft chin Smooth chin
    Smile dimples No smile dimples

  3. When the data table is complete, to see the percentage of dominant vs. recessive traits for your class.

  4. Now, view all students results to see the percentage of dominant vs. recessive traits for all students who participated in this survey over the Internet.

  5. Print and complete the Analyze and Conclude worksheet. When you're done, return to this page to try the Further Exploration below.

Further Exploration

Conduct the same survey with members of your family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins if possible. How do your family results compare with the results for your class and for all students? Suggest a hypothesis that explains why the results for family members may differ from the results for your class and for all students.