Genes vs. Environment (Nature vs. Nurture)

Quick Review Genes Environment Sections of DNA that code for specific traits. These traits can affect who we are or how we look. Environment Things or events in the world around us. These things or events can also affect who we are or how we look.

Practice Setup Open Educreations Divide the page in half with a line across the middle. Write “GENES” on top. _______________________________________ Write “ENVIRONMENT” on bottom.

It should look like this: GENES _______________________________________ ENVIRONMENT

Keep Score Click the Right Arrow at the bottom to open a new page. Keep score there so you can erase your circles without losing your score!

Directions: You will see a description on each slide. Decide if it is caused more by genes or the environment. (Hint: Some could be both. Pick the best answer). Circle your choice. Show your answer when told. “Undo” your circle and repeat.

Genes or Environment? A human baby is born: It’s a Girl!

Genes or Environment? A human baby is born: It’s a Girl! Human gender is determined by genes (XX = Female, XY = Male)

Genes or Environment? A man has size 10 shoes, just like his father and grandfather.

Genes or Environment? A man has size 10 shoes, just like his father and grandfather. His shoe size (foot size) is caused by his genes. Especially since it says, “just like his father and grandfather.”

Genes or Environment? A girl’s hair turns green after swimming in the pool every day.

Genes or Environment? A girl’s hair turns green after swimming in the pool every day. The chlorine in the pool did it!

Genes or Environment? Identical twins are born who look just like each other.

Genes or Environment? Identical twins are born who look just like each other. Identical Twins = Identical Genes!

Genes or Environment? A boy eats too much candy and feels sick.

Genes or Environment? A boy eats too much candy and feels sick. The candy (part of his environment) makes him sick.

Genes or Environment? A woman gets lung cancer. She never smokes, but her parents do.

Genes or Environment? A woman gets lung cancer. She never smokes, but her parents do. We don’t know if her parents/family had lung cancer too, so we must assume it is the 2nd Hand Smoke that caused her cancer.

Genes or Environment? Marge the raccoon turns and growls at Mr. Hill when he tries to follow her and her babies back to their nest.

Genes or Environment? Marge the raccoon turns and growls at Mr. Hill when he tries to follow her and her babies back to their nest. Marge was never taught this, so it must be an instinct – something she knows from her genes/DNA.

Genes or Environment? A male clownfish turns into a female after the female dies.

Genes or Environment? A male clownfish turns into a female after the female dies. The female being gone (a change in the environment) is the main cause for this change.

Genes or Environment? 2nd Chance almost kills his owner Remember, Chance the bull was super nice, and 2nd Chance was a clone.

Genes or Environment? 2nd Chance almost kills his owner Remember, Chance the bull was super nice, and 2nd Chance was a clone. It can’t be genes, because they are clones = identical DNA/Genes!

Genes or Environment? Challenge: A clutch of baby alligators are born. They are all males.

Genes or Environment? Challenge: A clutch of baby alligators are born. They are all males. Egg temperature can turn them all male or female!

Genes or Environment? How many did you get right? ______ / 10