4/27 & 4/28

We started class by drawing pictures of the offspring that were created during the "Genetics of Parenthood" lab. The outcome illustrates how the independent assortment of alleles happens during Meiosis. When we look at all of the finished pictures, even though we started with the exact same parent genes, all the outcomes or children, look different. This is a good model for how when Meiosis occurs, one parent makes genetically different gametes (egg/sperm) which leads to genetic variation, even within a single family.

By the same token, it is estimated that only about 1% of our genes are for physical characteristics. Most of our genes direct how to build and operate our cells, and most of our DNA is the same as we look across the human race.

The second part of class examined the topic of race & genetics. Race & skin color have been used throughout history to marginalize people of color. We will be watching the video, "Race: The Power of an Illusion" next class. This video examines how race is not a biological trait and it is a societal construct. While there are genes that determine skin color, the way people have been categorized have changed over time. We did an activity today borrowed from the PBS website, in which students sort photos of 20 people. Students can sort based on their own categories, then we ask them to sort the faces based on the 6 federal race & ethnicity categories. To try this online, check out this link: http://www.pbs.org/race/002_SortingPeople/002_00-home.htm

Students are usually surprised that a few of the people they assumed were in one group identify as other racial or ethnic groups. In the past, the census taker was responsible for the categorization of people, which had big implications for what jobs you could have or where you could live. We will continue to explore this topic over the next couple of classes. Want to learn more? Check out the amazing PBS website in its entirety: Race: The power of an illusion

Lastly, there was a homework assignment to practice Sex-Linked Traits Punnett Squares: Homework worksheet