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An educational activity for students to learn about genetics and Punnett squares through the study of Happy-Face Spiders. Students will act as captive breeders, determining how genes are passed on and predicting the resulting phenotype. The activity includes objectives, materials, and procedures for the simulation.
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Happy-Face Spiders Concepts Genes are passed on from one generation to the next and this is the concept of heredity. Genes code for what an organism will look like and are carried by chromosomes. Chromosomes, which occur in nearly identical pairs in the nucleus of every cell, are responsible for passing on hereditary information. Depending on which alleles an organism has will determine how the organism will look and behave. HCPS III Benchmarks SC 7.5.2 SC 7.5. SC 7.5. Duration (2) One-hour periods Source Material PRISM Vocabulary Genotype Happy-face Spider Heterozygous Homologous Homozygous Phenotype Probability Punnett square Morphs
Students will act as captive breeders in order to simulate how genes are passed on from one generation to the next. They will also observe how small differences accumulate over time to produce descendants that look very different from their ancestors. Students will use the Happy-face spiders ( Theridion grallator), a spider that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and exhibits genetic variation. Spiders on the island of Maui follow basic Mendelian genetic patterns, so they will be useful organisms for this lesson. This simulation will help students determine how genetic information is transferred during breeding, and what the resulting phenotype (how they look) will be. They will decide which traits are most important to breed in order for better survival for the spiders. Students will also be introduced to Punnett squares, which will be used to predict the proportion of offspring with each trait.
Pictures of Happy-face spiders that show variation in color. Pink and Blue Card Stock-each group of 2 students should have a total of 12 pink cards and 12 blue cards. (Size of playing cards). Need one set for use in explaining concept to students. Clear transparency to go over Punnett squares Paper for student Punnett squares. Hand-out of Happy-face Spider for students to color using their color choice.
Students will recall previous knowledge they acquired in the previous Exploring Human Traits lesson to delve further into the world of genetic variation. The charismatic and native Hawaiian arthropod, the Happy-face spider, will be used to explore the myriad physical distinctions in spider appearances due to different genotypes (i.e. genetic fingerprint, alleles).
Happy-Face Spiders
Happy-face spiders are found in the rainforests of the Big Island, Oahu, Maui and Molokai. They are usually found on the underside of leaves. Happy-face spiders have a pattern on their body that resembles a smiley face. Every spider has a unique pattern and the body color differs from island to island. Some of the spiders lack the pattern of the smiley face altogether. These different morphs (forms) are caused by the different gene versions carried by the spiders. The combination of alleles on the homologous chromosomes (similar, paired chromosomes) that determine a specific trait or characteristic is the organism’s genotype. The way the information is expressed and how the spider looks is considered its phenotype. Genotypes and phenotypes of an organism can be determined with the use of a Punnett square which estimate the probability (likelihood) of genetic combinations being passed on to potential offspring. A Punnett square is created by crossing a pair of alleles on a grid. These can either be homozygous (two identical alleles) alleles, heterozygous alleles (two different alleles) or a combination of both. Researchers believe that the variation of color and pattern in Happy-face Spiders is a possible type of camouflage against birds, their only significant natural predator. In order for these spiders to escape predators they must be able to blend into their natural environment. If the student is to be the captive breeder they must decide what would be the best color for the spider to survive in the wild.
Happy-Face Spiders Name: ____________________________ Color the body of the Happy-Face Spider the color that was chosen to breed the spider for survival in the wild. Use the extra space behind the spider to draw the habitat where this spider can be found. Drawing by Bobby Hsu, UHH – PRISM Fellow
Happy-Face Spiders
Happy-Face Spiders
Happy-Face Spiders