Lesson 42 of 84 · Cells
Experiment⭐ 30 XP🌿 Wild JungleGenes and Traits (Part 3)
Genes and Traits (Part 3).
🎯 Your mission
Set it up. Test it. Be amazed.
⚡ The twist
Every species solves the same problem differently.
Mind = Blown
🐙 An octopus has 9 brains and 3 hearts.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you watch: what do you think it'll do?
What You'll Learn
Natural selection is the process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce more successfully. Over time, this drives evolution.
Key Words
- DNA
- gene
Materials Needed
- paper
- colored pencils
- coins (for Punnett squares)
- tape
Safety First
- Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.
- Use materials only as directed in the experiment.
- Keep small objects away from young children.
Steps
Review the background information on Cells before starting.
Survey your class for a genetic trait (attached vs. free earlobes, tongue rolling, hitchhiker's thumb). Create a bar graph of the results.
Look for patterns in your observations.
Make a graph or chart showing your results.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 3What is natural selection?
Where you see this in real life
This is why plants grow toward windows and why scabs form.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Watch a plant or pet for 5 minutes today and write down what you noticed.
For the dinner table
“Tell me something you noticed about your own body today.”
Next Smart Experiment
We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.
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Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
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