Reebops for National 4 and 5

Looking for similarities and differences Take a look at the animals on the laminated sheets. List as many similarities as you can. List as many differences as you can. What do we call these differences? Variation is all around us; both between species and within the same species. Let’s look at the variation within our own species next.

Here’s looking at you! We are all members of the same species – what similarities and differences can we spot? Similarities Differences

How will I know the humans? If an alien beamed in ... How will I know the humans?

Variation within a population Discrete Continuous Tongue rolling, blood groups. Genetic control – no other influence. You either have the trait or you don’t! Height, weight, hand-span. Can be influenced by environmental factors.

Displaying your results Continuous variation Discrete variation

A fictional family tree!

Where do our genes come from? From our parents Mother Father egg from mother sperm from father 2 copies of DNA in each cell 2 copies of DNA in each cell nucleus containing 1 copy of father’s DNA nucleus containing 1 copy of mother’s DNA DNA from both parents Child Cell divides Fertilised egg nucleus containing complete set of DNA (set=2 copies, 1 copy from each parent) Each cell has a complete set of DNA Gene Jury

Making Reebops The purpose of this practical work is: To examine how characteristics are inherited. To show how sexual reproduction is responsible for tremendous variation within a population. Investigate the factors that can influence an individual’s characteristics.

Reebops My Reebop Baby The kids! Head: purple play-dough Dad Mum My Reebop Baby tails Head: purple play-dough Body segments: green play-dough Humps: pink play-dough Antenna: pink straws Noses: red or yellow pipe cleaners Legs: purple or pink pipe cleaners Eyes: wiggly eyes Tails: brown pipe cleaners Spine: wooden skewer body segment antennae legs humps head eyes noses

Reebops Mum chromosomes A a Q q E e D d M m T t L l

Reebops Dad chromosomes Q q E e D d M m T t L l

Reebops Baby No. 1 a a Q q E e D d M m T T L l

Baby Reebops: Pedigree Randomly select one gene from each parent for the 7 characteristics. Combine them on the baby Reebop recording sheet. Fill in the pedigree for your new baby by writing down each of its 7 characteristics (e.g. red nose) on the parcel tag. Choose a name for your Reebop. Collect the materials that you will need for your baby and assemble it.

Ideas for discussion: Place your Reebop in the “nursery” along with the other babies What do you notice about the features of the babies? How much genetic material does each parent provide? Where is this genetic material stored in the parent? Are there any babies that are identical? How many babies are the same as their parents?