How are we different?

Make the humans look different

Make the bodies of these people look different

Make the dogs look different

We call this difference Variation Differences can be Inherited or genetic (these are controlled by the genes made of DNA) Environmental (caused by what happens to you or your environment)

Genetic differences

Some differences are not due to the genes Some differences are not due to the genes. These are environmental differences and things like your upbringing, your diet and what you do can control these

Genetics and the Simpsons

Marge Homer Bart Lisa Maggie

How are the Simpsons related to each other? married children

Jackie Mr Bouvier Mona Abe ? Herb Powell Patty & Selma

Let’s look at the Bouviers: They all have unusual coloured hair. Is this inherited? Possibly. We would need more information to be sure. They all also have a forward-sloping posture. This is probably inherited. Marge and Jackie have similar hairstyles. This is probably not inherited. Jackie Mr Bouvier Patty & Selma Marge

What about the Simpsons? Mona, Homer, and Herb Powell all have very similar eyes. This is most likely to be inherited. Although Abe is old, he, Homer, and Herb share very similar face shapes. This is probably inherited. Abe and Homer appear to be overweight. Mona and Herb are not, so this is probably caused by environmental factors. Mona Abe Herb Powell Homer

The Simpson Children Which characteristics do the children share with their parents? All three children have the same ear shape as Homer. This is an inherited characteristic. Marge, Bart, and Lisa all have a similar shaped mouth, which is likely to be an inherited characteristic. Lisa is very intelligent and good at schoolwork. Bart is less intelligent, and often in trouble at school. Bart probably inherits his personality from Homer, and Lisa inherits these characteristics from Marge.

The Simpson Children All three children have spiky yellow hair. Where is this inherited from? Not Marge. What about Homer? Don’t know, because he is bald. BUT, look at Grandpa Simpson:

This is Abbie, Homer’s half-sister. This is Cyrus Simpson. Abe’s brother. This is Gladys Bouvier. She is Marge and Patty & Selma’s aunt