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Mutations

Real World Question
Mutations can result in dominant or recessive genes. A recessive characteristic can appear only if an organism has two recessive genes for that characteristic. However, a dominant characteristic can appear if an organism has one or two dominant genes for that characteristic. Why do some mutations result in more common traits while others do not? Form a hypothesis about how a mutation can become a common trait.

Goals

  • Observe traits of various animals


  • Research how mutations become traits.


  • Gather data about mutations.


  • Make a frequency table of your findings and communicate them to other students.

Data Sources
Make a Plan
  1. Observe common traits in various animals, such as household pets or animals you might see in a zoo.


  2. Learn what genes carry these traits in each animal.


  3. Research the traits to discover which ones are results of mutations. Are all mutations dominant? Are any of these mutations beneficial?
Follow Your Plan
  1. Make sure your teacher approves your plan before you proceed.


  2. Decide if a mutation is beneficial, harmful, or neither. Record your data in your Science Journal.
Analyze Your Data
  1. Record in your Science journal a list of traits that are results of mutations.


  2. Describe an animal, such as a pet or an animal you've seen in the zoo. Point out which traits are known to be the result of mutation.


  3. Make a chart that compares recessive mutations to dominant mutations. Which are more common?


  4. Share your data with other students by posting it on the form below.
Conclude and Apply
  1. Compare your findings to those of your classmates and other data on this Web site. What were some of the traits your classmates found that you did not? Which were the most common?


  2. Look at your chart of mutations. Are all mutations beneficial? When might a mutation be harmful to an organism?


  3. Predict how would your data be affected if you had performed this activity when one of these common mutations first appeared? Do you think you would see more or less animals with this trait?


  4. Mutations occur every day but we only see a few of them. Infer how many mutations over millions of years can lead to a new species.

Post your data in the table provided.

Common Traits
Animal
Type of Trait
Result of Mutation?
Beneficial of Harmful
Animal
Type of Trait
Result of Mutation?
Beneficial of Harmful
Animal
Type of Trait
Result of Mutation?
Beneficial of Harmful
Animal
Type of Trait
Result of Mutation?
Beneficial of Harmful
Animal
Type of Trait
Result of Mutation?
Beneficial of Harmful
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