STUDENTS STUDY "REEBOPS" TO LEARN GENETICS

(03/05/2004)

The CATS 9 class at Calhoun High is studying genetics and recently used their knowledge of heredity to build Reebops, mythical creatures known to have seven chromosomes, each holding one gene or trait. Students discovered that genetics controlled the number of antennae, color of nose, number of body segments, number of humps, number of eyes, color of legs, and whether the tail was straight or curly. After randomly choosing chromosomes, the students read and translated the genetic code for their Reebop baby. They built the child according to the genetic code. Students were surprised to find several genetic matches in the 31 children despite calculating that in an organism with seven traits there are 128 possible genetic combinations. When they considered that humans have 100,000 traits they realized why, despite the common saying, people don't really have a twin somewhere on earth. Courtesy of Calhoun High School

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