1. Heredity & the Environment
Tobacco Albino Seeds

2. I. Background Information:
An organism’s phenotype or physical appearance for a particular trait is the result of both its genetic makeup and the environment.
Genes may be turned off by environmental factors: light, temperature, etc.
Why use a gene/protein when you don’t need it?
The energy efficiency provided is a survival adaptation

3. I. Background Information:
Tobacco seeds will germinate and grow in as little as three days if they are kept moist.
The seeds contain an embryonic plant along with cotyledons that serve as a food source for the embryonic plant before its leaves develop, produce chlorophyll, and carry out photosynthesis.
Tobacco seedlings that possess a dominant allele for chlorophyll production will produce chlorophyll if environmental conditions are favorable.
However, tobacco seedlings that possess two recessive alleles are genetically programmed to be albino, and will not possess chlorophyll. Therefore, photosynthesis cannot occur in albino plants.

4. II. Research Question:
Will the presence of sunlight effect the expression of the genes for chlorophyll production in tobacco seedlings?

5. III. Developing your Hypotheses
What is the independent variable you are manipulating/testing?
Presence of light B. Expression of genes
What is the dependent variable that you will measure the effects of manipulating the independent variable (results)?
What is the expected ratio when the seeds are grown in the light in both parents are heterozygous? Perform a Punnett Square.

6. IV. Model

7. V. Experimental Design
Research Question: Null Hypothesis: Alternative Hypothesis 1 (light): Alternative Hypothesis 2 (chosen variable): Independent Variable: Experimental Group(s): Control Group: Dependent Variable: Constants:

8. VI. Materials & Procedures
Water, tap
Marker
3 Disposable plastic petri dishes (100 x 15 mm)
Pipet
Paper towel
Tobacco seeds 30/experimental group
Lightproof storage area or covers (from parents heterozygous for albinism)
Different colored lights, salt solution, OR vinegar solution

9. Procedure:
With a piece of tape: label the bottom of one Petri dish “light”; the bottom of another Petri dish “dark. Label all with your group name and date.
Place a piece of moistened filter paper into the bottom half of each Petri dish.
Sprinkle 30 tobacco seeds evenly over the moistened paper in each Petri dish. Use a toothpick to spread out in the two dishes.
Replace the cover on each Petri dish. Place the dish labeled “light” in a well- lighted area under the grow lights. Place the dish labeled “dark” in a completely darkened area where it will receive absolutely no light. (place your Petri dish in the designated drawer for your class). Place your third petri dish in the area or environmental condition that your group has selected.
Allow the seeds to germinate for one week. Let the dishes sit undisturbed except to add water if the filter paper should become dry. If the dish in the dark needs added water, add it quickly and in a reduced light environment. (this is your groups responsibility – if your seeds dry out you will receive 0 for the results)
Observe the 3 Petri dishes at the end of one week. Some seedlings will be pale in color (albino) with little or no green pigment. Other seedlings will have green areas forming. When nearly all the seedlings have germinated, count each seedling as either green or albino. Record your results in the data table below:

10. #1- Do not forget to complete your table of contents (page numbers may vary)
The following slides are just examples this is not a completed notebook or what we should see word-for-word

11. Your Heredity Lab will be done in the Research notebook.
Part 1: Tobacco Albino Seed Heredity Lab in Research Notebook (50 points): Notebooks Due: _____/_____/______
Your Heredity Lab will be done in the Research notebook.
Write the lab title and page numbers in the Table of Contents.
Write the title of the lab, date and page # on the starting page in your lab research notebook.
(Informative title) (The Relationship between (IV) and (DV))
Research Model – done in class

12. Just like our previous labs we begin with stating our research question and brainstorming through a model
Note: you must title each page (underline or ALL CAPS), also include a date and page number on EACH page

13. What is gene expression?
Key content and Student understandings- answer the following questions (use the articles for help) (reserve 2 pages)–
Write 1-2 sentences about why you think the lab is important to our understanding of science. This section provides you a place to record the “AHA!!’ moments as you conduct research. This section needs 3 references cited in APA format for where you obtained your information. Some example topics to include, but are not limited to (let’s see what YOU think is important!):
What is epigenetics?
What is gene expression?
What is the expected ratio when seeds are grown in the light if both parents are heterozygous? How do you know?
Show the Punnett Square
What do you know about chlorophyll, its role in photosynthesis, its role in the expression of the phenotypes?

14. Just like the algae lab we have a 2 page Student Understandings section
Your Lab Directions list out the necessary information, this picture is to only show you a possible layout. Remember this section prepares your readers (think peer review) to have the background knowledge and to take your experiment seriously.

15. *Do not forget references, in APA format We have given you an article, but encourage further research to see what you find, that will help you later in the discussion section.

16. Experimental Design:
Research Question: What is the effect of the IV on the DV?
Null Hypothesis: The IV will not affect the DV
Alternative Hypothesis 1:
Alternative Hypothesis 2:
Independent Variable (IV):
Experimental groups: include all groups, be specific
Control group:
Dependent Variable (DV): what is being measured, how it is being measured, units
Constants: Refer to your model for important constants.

17. Restate your research question Remember your group will have specific information that depends on the experimental group that you picked. Everyone is also using the class “Light” and “Dark” sets. So you have 3 petri dishes total to take into consideration

18. Page 5 - Materials and Procedures
Page 6 - Paste data table in notebook and fill in with your group’s data
Page 7 - Make a graph in your notebook.

19. Remember to cut out, and neatly paste the materials and procedures
Remember to cut out, and neatly paste the materials and procedures. Straight & all the way secured are the only way to receive full points

20. You will be focusing on your group’s data, but will need the “class set” of the Light and Dark petri dishes Make sure these are neat, and do not include any excess or unnecessary information These tables should be referenced in your discussion and results sections. You have both raw data, and statistical data.

21. After your statistical data, you will be graphing your group’s results
After your statistical data, you will be graphing your group’s results. This lab will not have a results or conclusion in the lab notebook. Instead you will have another Lab Report to turn in to turnitin.com

22. Do I get an A?! The best way to ensure that you have everything complete, is to use those rubrics as a checklist!