Lesson 69 of 84 · Evolution
Experiment⭐ 30 XPPunnett Squares: Predicting Traits (Part 4)
Evolution.
🎯 Your mission
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
⚡ The twist
Nature loves to surprise the careful watcher.
Mind = Blown
🔬 The more you look, the more nature shows you.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you start: write down what you think will happen, and why.
What You'll Learn
Punnett squares are tools for predicting the probability of offspring inheriting particular traits. They show all possible combinations of alleles from two parents.
Key Words
- mutation
- natural selection
- evolution
Materials Needed
- iodine stain
- paper
- colored pencils
- coins (for Punnett squares)
Safety First
- Handle glass items carefully to avoid breakage.
Steps
Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.
Survey your class for a genetic trait (attached vs. free earlobes, tongue rolling, hitchhiker's thumb). Create a bar graph of the results.
Draw a detailed diagram of what you observe.
Write a conclusion: what did your results show? Did they match your prediction?
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What is a Punnett square used for?
Where you see this in real life
This shows up in your everyday life more than you'd think.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Try one experiment in real life this week — even a tiny one.
For the dinner table
“What's the most surprising thing you learned today?”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
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Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
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