Hobbies And Interests
Identifying Traits
Introduce the lesson by discussing traits and having the class come up with a list of different traits. You can prompt the class by asking whether they noticed how family members often look alike and share similar characteristics like hair and eye color. Point out additional traits, such as the ability to roll the tongue, attached or unattached earlobes, or being ambidextrous.
Genes
The students should have a working knowledge about cells and cell structure before introducing this lesson. Discuss what genes are and the role they play in inherited traits and behaviors. Chromosomes in the nucleus of cells carry genes and DNA responsible for passing traits between generations. Each person receives half of their chromosomes from their father and half from their mother, meaning that traits from both the mother and father pass to their offspring. Explain the difference between dominant and recessive genes -- dominant genes trump the recessive genes.
Suggested Activity -- Trait Inventory
Ask each student to make a list of the traits that they have. Trait lists can be very basic, such as a simple list of eye color, hair color, dimples or freckles and cleft or smooth chin. Pair the students up and ask them to compare the traits of their fellow classmates. Pass out pictures of celebrity parents and their natural children. Ask the class to compare the traits of the child with those of the child's biological parents.
Other Issues
Not every student's biological parents may be available, so tread lightly with regard to making comparisons between parents and children in your own class. Additionally, you should refer to your state's teaching standards for the life science curriculum to determine when you should introduce this lesson to the class. After the introduction to the lesson, work in more advanced topics, such as instinctual behaviors in animals and adaptations in animals specific to their environments.