Genetics of Sesame Street Characters

OBJECTIVE: To use 5 Sesame Street characters to create a gene map, move chromosomes through the steps of meiosis and to draw a family portrait.

Study the bean bag characters and write down all of the traits that could be passed from parent to offspring. (We will brainstorm)

Specific forms of the trait: body color: purple, orange, blue, magenta, red hair type: hair or no hair lip color: red, purple, magenta pink or orange nose color: eye shape: Exo (pops out) or Endo (flat)

nucleus that contain heredity material chromosome: structures in a cells nucleus that contain heredity material gene: section of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait. Passed from parent to offspring. allele: The different forms a gene may have for a trait. For example: nose color pink is dominant and orange is recessive. One allele is P (pink) and another allele is (p) orange.

a set of chromosomes in matched pairs. karyotype: a set of chromosomes in matched pairs. Normal human karyotype is 23 pairs of chromosomes. sex chromosome: The 23rd pair of human chromosomes.

Telly Honker Zoe Grover Elmo

Line up your cut out chromosomes like this: Female Male Chromosome #1 Chromosome #2 sex chromosomes xx or xy

Mitosis This is what mitosis would look like, creating two identical cells: (I’m using the Male example) Cell 2 Cell 1

Meiosis This is what meiosis would look like for egg/sperm cells: (I’m using the female example) 4 cells/not identical Each of these becomes and egg cell or a sperm cell. Paste chromosomes in your sex cell. Cell 4 Cell 1 Cell 2 Cell 3

Fertilization Choose any two gametes (egg cells or sperm cells) from your individual and paste them in the appropriate place on your paper. (If your character is male, glue two sperm cells in place. If your character is female, glue two egg cells in place) HOLD ON TO YOUR OTHER TWO GAMETES.

Give them your gametes and take theirs. Choose a spouse for your character. Find a classmate who has a different character than you and a different gender. Give them your gametes and take theirs. Glue the new gametes onto your paper next to the ones you already glued. Your teacher will bring you the fertilized eggs your character needs.