SpongeBob Genetics

Use your knowledge of genetics to complete this worksheet.

1. All DNA has a specific structure, made up of specific building blocks. What do the letters A, T, C, and
G in SpongeBob’s DNA represent?

2. After doing some DNA testing, SpongeBob thinks the lab might have made some errors. Identify the
mistakes in the following sections of DNA.

3. The report from the DNA testing used some strange words that SpongeBob wasn’t quite sure about.
How could a gene and a chromosome be compared to one another?

4. The DNA test also told SpongeBob that he, like other sea sponges, had 23 chromosomes. He thought
this was very odd as he knew humans had a different number of chromosomes. How many chromosomes
do humans have and what is meant by homologous pairs?

5. SpongeBob was intrigued by the information in his DNA test and wanted to find out more about amino
acids. What codes for amino acids and what do a chain of amino acids create?

6. The DNA test also gave SpongeBob information about the different alleles for genes on his
chromosomes. What are the spots called on chromosomes where genes are found?

CRB updated 2011

7. SpongeBob has noticed over the years that the other SeaSponges only have blue, brown, green or gray
eyes. How many different alleles does this mean SeaSponges have and how is an allele different to a
gene?

8. The different allele information SpongeBob got was able to tell him the different phenotypes and
genotypes that his traits have. What is the difference between a phenotype and a genotype?

9. Use the information for SpongeBob’s traits to write the phenotype (physical appearance) for each item.

(a) LL-______________ (e) Rr-_______________

(b) yy-_______________ (f) ll- _______________

(c) Ss-_______________ (g) ss- _______________

(d) RR - _____________ (h) Yy -______________

10. Use the information in the chart in #1 to write the genotype (or genotypes) for each trait below.

(a) Yellow body - ___________ (e) Stubby nose - ___________

(b) Roundpants - ___________ (f) Round eyes - ____________

(c) Oval eyes - ______________ (g) Squarepants - ___________

(d) Long nose - _____________ (h) Blue body - ____________

11. Determine the genotypes for each using the information in the chart in #9.

(a) Heterozygous round eyes -_____ (c) Homozygous long nose - ______

(b) Purebred squarepants - ______ (d) Hybrid yellow body - ______

CRB updated 2011