Finding Your Genetic Match

Introduction:
Have you ever noticed that brothers or sisters often look alike? Their inherited traits are what make their
physical appearance so similar. An inherited trait is a particular genetically determined characteristic that
distinguishes a person. The traits of children are determined by the traits that are passed on from their
parents. Some traits are obvious in a family --- a child's nose is shaped like their mother's nose, but some
traits are less obvious. You may have similar traits to many of your classmates even though you are not
related to them. Some examples of often un-noticed human traits are the ability or not to roll your tongue,
attached or unattached earlobes, dimples or freckles, naturally curly or straight hair, hitchhiker's or
straight thumb, straight or widow's peak hairline, smooth or cleft chin, or colorblindness or normal vision.

There are numerous traits in humans, but some traits occur more frequently than others. Between 70-90%
of the human population have free-hanging earlobes, can roll their tongue, are right-handed, and can taste
a chemical called PTC. These traits are called high frequency traits.

Objective:
Students will determine the presence of certain high frequency traits in themselves & their classmates.

Materials:
Genetic Inventory sheet with pictures, paper, pencil, PTC taste strips.

Procedure:
1. Identify which of the following 10 human traits you have by placing a check mark beside that
trait.
2. Compare the traits you have with other students in the classroom and find the student you most
closely match.

Human Trait Inventory

Student:
Tongue Roller
Non-Tongue Roller

Attached Earlobes
Unattached earlobes

Dimples
No Dimples

Right-handed
Left-Handed

Widow's Peak
Straight Hairline

Left Thumb on top when Hands Crossed

Right Thumb on top when Hands Crossed

Hair on mid-digit of hand

No hair on mid-digit of hand

Bent little finger

Straight little finger

Second toe longer than big toe

Second toe not longer than big toe

Brown Eyes
Non-Brown Eyes

Vulcan (Fingers spread 2 by 2)

None Vulcan
Class Match: