Weekly Blog 1/8/17 - Genes

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Summary

Genes are made of DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid. A genotype is a pair of alleles or forms of a trait. n addition to all this, traits can be either dominant (represented by uppercase letters) or recessive (lowercase). Genotypes can be either heterozygous (hybird) or homozygrous (purebred). Homozygous means having two of the same alleles of a trait while heterozygous means having one of each. For example, a genotype of Aa would be heterozygous while AA or aa would be homozygous. A phenotype is an observable trait resulting from someones genotype. You inherit your traits from your parents, half from your mom and half from your dad. If you wanted to predict what traits your child will have you could use something called a Punnett square. Punnett squares help scientists make predictions about genotypes.

S&P 2: Developing and Using Models

This week, I filled out several punnet squares and flipped a coin to determine the traits of my superhero child. I then drew a model of that data by creating a drawing of my superheroes child demonstrating the results I got in the coin flip. Creating a drawing or model of the child helped me better visualize what he looks like and see the resemblances between father and mother. I also flipped a coin to determine the healthiness of my superhero based on his mothers and his decisions. Next week, I will create another model of that data by creating another drawing based on the new results I got. 

XCC: Cause and Effect

It turns out the decisions you and even your mother makes while you're developing inside her will affect your health later in your life. The foods moms eat while they are pregnant with their child, how stressed she is, how much she sleeps, whether or not she drinks alcohol and takes drugs, or cause, will all affect the child she is holding after it is born. For example, if you smoke while pregnant, the effect will more than likely be that your child is born too early as well as underweight. Your habits will also determine what illness your child might develop or how healthy he/she will be. However, decisions made by the mom isn't the only thing that affects health, decisions made by the child later on in life will also. For example, if you choose to always stay up  rather than get a healthy amount of sleep, it will lead to sleep deprivation which symptoms include hallucinations and depression.