Science unit 4-6th grade-Traits and reproduction

Features

Characteristics that all members of a species have.

Traits

a specific characteristic of an individual in a population.

Variation

any difference in traits between individual organisms.

Structure

The shape of something or how its built: Example Curtain-it's made of fabric so it can be flexibly pulled out to cover ur window, or pulled away to let in light.

Function

The job of an object or what an object does: Example Curtain-you can pull it out so no one can look into ur house; or at night to keep car headlight lights away from ur eyes so u can sleep properly.

Protein

a type of large molecule that performs important functions inside organisms.

Blank function: Blank resulting from a gene expression, are responsible for various traits. The structure of a protein determines its function, affecting such as silk flexibility in spiders.

DNA

a type of molecule that genes and chromosomes are made of.

Homozygous

having gene versions that are the same

Heterozygous

having gene versions that are different

chromosome

a long piece of DNA that contains many genes

gene

an instruction for making a protein molecule.

Allele

a specific form of a gene that provides instructions for making a particular protein molecule.

Different versions of a gene are called blank witch can be homozygous (same Blank for both parents), or heterozygous (different blank from each parent)

Gamete

its another name for a reproductive.

they are different from normal cells because they only have 1 copy (DNA haploid) of each chromosome instead of 2 (diploid).

 

The types of them are egg cells (female) and sperm cells (male reputative cells).

Zygote

Blank is the name for the first cell that forms after two reproductive cells have combined to make a new organism.

Fertilization

This is what happens when two reproductive cells combine.

Karyotype

Blank is an individual's complete set of chromosomes.

Meiosis

Blank is the process of forming reproductive cells.

Genotype

Blank is basically the genetic makeup of an organism it means that it describes an organism's complete set of genes.

Phenotype

Blank is the observable physical properties of an organism; like the organism's appearance, development, and behavior.

Mitosis

Blank is the process where a cell reproduces to make a new identical cell.

Genes and chromosomes

Genes are segments of DNA located on chromosomes that code for proteins crucial for an organisms traits.

Simulation Observations

By observing and documenting the traits of offspring from specific matings, the relationship between gene versions and trait variations can be studied. For example, mating different spiders and noting the resulting silk flexibility helps in understanding how specific genes determine this trait.

Parental Combinations

The genetic contribution from both parents, such as in the case of Greg and Zora, leads to offspring with varying traits. Greg has two copies of the F1 gene leading to stiff silk, while Zora has one copy each of F2 and F3, resulting in flexible silk.

Protein Connections

Protein 1, with many connectors, produces less flexible silk, while Protein 3, with no connectors, cannot form silk. The ideal balance is seen with Protein 2, which has some connectors, leading to medium flexibility.

Testing with Different Parents

Running multiple tests with different parental combinations to produce offspring with desired traits, such as medium silk flexibility, reveals how dominant and recessive alleles interact.

Outcome Predictions

Based on the observed outcomes, predictions and recommendations can be made for breeding strategies to achieve the highest number of offspring with medium silk flexibility.

Claim Support

Using diagrams and data from simulations to support or refute claims about trait variations. This includes reviewing the gene version combinations and assessing which traits become dominant.

Genetic Inheritance

Traits such as silk flexibility in Darwin’s bark spiders are significantly influenced by the combination of alleles inherited from parents.

Role of Proteins

The structure of proteins formed due to gene expression directly impacts the trait, highlighting the importance of studying molecular biology for understanding physical attributes.