This game is whimsical and a lot of fun. At the same time, it teaches the concept that physical traits are encoded by genes that are found on chromosomes.
Contents:
10 bags, each with
the following Lego pieces
7- 8 piece
8- 4 piece (6 for
the game + 2 extras)
1 bag of Legos with
extra pieces
Goal:
Create a DNA strand with 6 bases (2 amino acids) and use the “secret decoder” to uncover the participant’s sex, eye color and hair color.
Play:
1) Hand out one bag to each
student.
2) Instruct them to build
a DNA strand by connecting the 8-piece Legos with the 4-piece Legos as
shown below: (Tell them there are 2 extras)
3) Explain how it takes 3
bases to code for an amino acid—the building blocks of proteins. Each gene
codes for a string of amino acids that make a protein. However, sometimes
a change in just one of those amino acids can change a trait. For simplicity,
all of our traits are going to be determined by a single amino acid. In
this case, we are building proteins for eye color and hair color (Or you
can choose whatever characteristic or feature you’d like). The first
3 code for eye color and the second 3 for hair color.
Once they
have built their DNA strand, you help them “decode” it. It is the
1st of the 3 that determines the characteristic as shown:
Red backbone: female
Blue Backbone: male
Eye Color Hair Color
Red first:
brown
red
Blue first:
blue
black
White first:
albino
albino
Yellow first: green
blonde
** Note:
There is one black 4-piece.
This is a mutation. If black is the first Lego in the eye color gene,
then the participant’s eyes are PURPLE!! If it is the first Lego
in the hair color gene, the participant’s hair is PURPLE!!
Second round
Height
Skin covering
Red first:
tall
feathers
Blue first:
short
scales
White first:
medium fur
Yellow first:
8 feet slime
** Note:
There is one black 4-piece.
This is a mutation. If black is the first Lego in the eye color gene,
then the participant’s height is 10 inches!! If it is the first Lego
in the hair color gene, the participant’s skin is PURPLE!!