?Arthropod Genetics?

Background: The phylum Arthropoda is the most diverse of the invertebrates, spanning from horseshoe crabs to lobsters to insects. These organisms have in common their exoskeletons, segmented bodies and jointed limbs. In this project you will be doing the following:

1. Construct imaginary arthropods. Provide general information about this arthropod such as its name, habitat, food source, predators and information about its structural adaptations.

2. Identify the traits of these arthropods as dominant or recessive, and provide the phenotypes and genotypes for your arthropods.

3. Construct Punnett Squares showing possible gene combinations from the cross of two imaginary arthropods.

4. Determine the traits of the offspring and construct sample specimens.

5. Create a Family Trait Tree (all traits) and/or Pedigree(1 trait) for your arthropods.

Important Information

1. Group Size: 1-3 students, Provide names on an index card by 2/22

2. Arthropod Class:

3. All Arthropods must be transported/carried to and from school and in school by students. You might think about using a shoebox as the nest^.

4. First Generation Arthropod card information due 2/28

5. Second Generation Arthropod (offspring from First) and info, due 3/7

6. Third Generation Arthropod (offspring from Second) and info, due 3/14

7. Final Project and Presentation due 3/19 ? 3/21

Project Directions

First Generation

1. Your teacher will assign your group a class of arthropod. You must construct your arthropod using this checklist (see Fig. 2). Build your arthropod by selecting one material for each characteristic: body segments, legs, eyes and antennae (see Fig. 1). Make sure you include all of the characteristics of your assigned arthropod, but be creative too!

2. Complete the required information about your arthropod on the Information Page. Remember to write about the habitat, food source, predators, etc. Provide as much information as possible so that another person could easily learn about your arthropod.

3. Bring your arthropod and information to class on the assigned day. You will then be mating your arthropod with another from the same class as yours. Make sure you have everything with you. (idea: use a shoebox)

Second Generation

4. Your arthropod will mate with another arthropod in order to produce the next generation of arthropods. In class complete the information about the mate for your arthropod.

5. Next, complete the Punnett squares for each characteristic to show the cross

between the two parents. Be sure to indicate the genotype and phenotype of all traits. Also identify the traits-as either purebred or hybrid.

6. Using the information from your Punnett squares, select traits to include in a sample offspring. Record the phenotypes and genotype of your offspring?s traits in the chart for Second Generation.

7. Build your Second Generation arthropod in the some manner as First Generation. Bring this arthropod and information to class on the assigned day. (idea: use a shoebox)

Third Generation

8. Your arthropod will mate with another arthropod in order to produce the. next generation of arthropods. In class, complete the information about the mate for your arthropod.

9. Next, complete the Punnett squares for each characteristic, showing the cross between the two parents. Be sure to indicate the genotype and phenotypes of all traits. Also identify the traits as either purebred or hybrid.

10. Using the information from your Punnett squares, select traits to include in a sample offspring. Record the phenotypes and genotypes of your offspring?s traits in the chart for Third Generation.

11. Build your Third Generation arthropod in the same manner as the First Generation. Bring this arthropod and information to class on the assigned day. (idea: use a shoebox)

Presentation

12. As a conclusion to your project construct a ?Family Trait Tree? for all of the traits or a ?Pedigree Chart? showing the passing of 1 trait through the generations of arthropods. This should be neat, colorful and easily understood by anyone who might not know as much as you do about Genetics.

13. In a written set of paragraphs, explain the ?passing of traits? from generation to generation. Watch your spelling, grammar, sentence structure and details.

14. Be prepared to explain to the class in a creative presentation of your design, how the traits have passed on through the generations.

15. You might think about making a PowerPoint presentation to display the information to your class.