Name ______

Date ______Hour ______

Introduction

Marshmallow monsters are magical creatures that have developed. Some people believe that they have come from another planet and others believe that they have evolved from a previous creature. You, as a scientist, are interested in their reproduction capabilities. You will determine what the potential offspring would look like for a particular cross.

What we know about Marshmallow Monsters:

·  They do not bite, but they will stick you with their pointy body parts if you are not careful.

·  Their genome is made up of 16 chromosomes.

·  They are multicellular organisms.

·  They reproduce sexually.

Procedure

1.  Each person gets a set of popsicle sticks to represent the 16 different chromosomes contained in the parent monster. On set is for the mother, the other set is for the father.

2.  Throw your popsicle sticks in the air so that they land on the desk. The side that lands facing up is the chromosome that is passed on. The side facing down is the chromosome that is not passed on.

3.  Place these chromosomes in either the egg (if you’re the mother) or the sperm (if you’re the father).

4.  Fertilize the egg with the sperm. Place the chromosomes from the father with the chromosomes from the mother.

5.  Record the genotypes and phenotypes for the baby monster on the data chart.

6.  Pick up the parts you need to make your baby monster. Then assemble your baby monster.

7.  Draw a sketch of the baby monster.

8.  Answer the analysis questions.

9.  Disassemble your baby monster and return the materials you used. (Toothpicks can be thrown away.)

Chromosome Number / Characteristic / Genotype / Phenotype / Parts Used
1 / Body Segments / BB
or Bb / 3 body segments / large
marshmallows
bb / 2 body segments
2 / Humps / HH / 1 hump / small marshmallows
Hh / 2 humps
hh / 3 humps
3 / Nose / NN / blue nose / large
colored tacks
Nn / purple nose
nn / pink nose
4 / Eyes / EE
or Ee / 2 eyes / silver tacks
ee / 3 eyes
5 / Legs / LL
or Ll / red legs / small
colored tacks
ll / yellow legs
6 / Tail / TT
or Tt / curly tail / yellow
pipe cleaner
tt / straight tail
7 / Antenna / AA / green antenna / colored
paperclips
Aa / green and blue antenna
aa / blue antenna

Predicted Outcome - Show the probable outcome the cross using Punnett squares. Remember that each parent is heterozygous for every trait. Show the genotypic and phenotypic ratios. Indicate the pattern of inheritance that is being shown for each trait (complete dominance, incomplete dominance, or codominance).

Body Segments

Genotypic Ratio:
Phenotypic Ratio:
Inheritance Pattern: / Humps

Genotypic Ratio:
Phenotypic Ratio:
Inheritance Pattern:
Nose

Genotypic Ratio:
Phenotypic Ratio:
Inheritance Pattern: / Eyes

Genotypic Ratio:
Phenotypic Ratio:
Inheritance Pattern:
Legs

Genotypic Ratio:
Phenotypic Ratio:
Inheritance Pattern: / Tail

Genotypic Ratio:
Phenotypic Ratio:
Inheritance Pattern:
Antenna

Genotypic Ratio:
Phenotypic Ratio:
Inheritance Pattern:

Data Chart for the Baby Marshmallow Monster

Chromosome / Genotype / Phenotype
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 (Sex)

Sketch of the Baby Marshmallow Monster

Analysis Questions

1.  How many total chromosomes does each parent have? How is this represented in this activity?

2.  What do the letters on the popsicle sticks represent in this activity? ______

3.  What is the diploid number for a Marshmallow Monster? ______

4.  What is the haploid number for a Marshmallow Monster? ______

5.  How many chromosomes were in the egg cell? ______The sperm cell? ______

6.  What type of cell division produces egg and sperm cells? ______

7.  Describe how this type of cell division (that you answered in #6) is represented in this activity.

8.  What process occurs when a sperm cell combines with an egg cell? ______

9.  Describe how this process (that you answered in #8) is represented in this activity.

10.  Did you have a male or female baby monster? How was this determined?

11.  Observe the other baby marshmallow monsters in class. Every “parent” in class had the same genotype. Explain why all of the baby marshmallow monsters are not identical.

12.  If 2 baby monsters look identical, does that mean their genotypes are the same? Why or why not?