Laboratory Exercise |1

FUNDAMENTALS OF GENETICS

Laboratory Exercise No. 1:

The Physical Basis of Heredity

Genetics is a branch of biology that deals with the study of heredity and variation. Heredity
is defined as the transmission of traits from generation to generation, while variation is concerned
with genetic differences between organisms. Both terms mainly involved an important mechanism
known as cell division.
Cell division is the process of how all the organisms’ cells grow and reproduce. After
doubling in size, a unicellular bacterium can reproduce by dividing into two cells. In multicellular
organisms, such as humans, increase in size by dividing their constituent cells.
As long as the cell is growing and dividing, the physical and metabolic activities of cells occur
in a regular cycle and in repetitive manner called—the cell cycle. It is composed of two periods:
interphase (non-dividing phase) composed of gap 1 (G1), synthesis (S) and gap 2 (G1), and M-phase
(division/dividing phase).
There are two types of cell division: mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is undergone by all somatic
body cells. It is subdivided into four distinct stages namely: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and
Telophase (PMAT). Meiosis, on the other hand, occur in germ cells. It consists of two divisions:
meiosis I (reductional division) and meiosis II (equational division).

Objectives:
At the end of this activity, you should be able to:
1. illustrate the chromosomal behaviour which occur in somatic and sex cells during mitosis
and meiosis; and
2. identify the specific events in mitosis and meiosis that allow the inheritance of traits and
generation of genetic variation.

Materials and Methods:

A. Yarn Models of Cell Division (by Group)
1. Prepare the following materials:
▪ eight (8) pieces of yarn : 4 long and 4 short (any 2 colors)
▪ pentel pen
▪ masking tape

2. Get 4 yarns, 2 long (ex. 1 green and 1 red) and 2 short (ex. 1 green and 1 red). These
would represent the chromatin in a cell. The yarns of the same length are
homologous. The two colors will represent the chromatin from the female and male
parents. Present and label the chromatin as follows:
Ex. Red yarns— female parent; Green yarns—male parent

long green : 1a long red: 1b

short green: 2c short red: 2d
 Laboratory Exercise |2
FUNDAMENTALS OF GENETICS

3. Review the phases of cell cycle. Let the cell pass S phase. Replicate or duplicate each
chromatin fiber. Do this by getting another set of yarns identical to the original set.
Label as before.

4. Combine the replicated chromatin fiber using masking tape. The tape will also mark
the position of the centromere. For the short chromatin, place the tape exactly at the
middle while for the long chromatin, place it at a point ¾ from the end of the yarn.

5. Assume that the chromatin fibers are folded. This will now represent the
chromosomes.

6. After performing steps 1 to 4, assume that the chromosomes undergo mitosis. Present
the orientation of your yarns or draw it on a short bond paper and label the
chromosomes in the following stages:
a. Metaphase
b. Anaphase
c. Telophase (show the 2 daughter cells)

7. Using the same set of yarns, pair the homologous chromosomes. Assume crossing-
over between non-sister chromatids (Ex. use the long green wire with a red segment
at the tip and the long red wire with a green segment at the tip.) Present the
orientation of your yarns or draw it on a short bond paper and label the chromosomes
showing the interchanged segments in the following stages:
a. Metaphase I
b. Anaphase I
c. Telophase II (show the 4 daughter cells)

8. Document everything. Assign 1-2 performers in your group and make a short video
presentation (10-15mins) of this activity. Please see the attached rubric for your
guide.

9. Submit or Turn-in to our google classroom (Laboratory Exercise 1: The Physical

Basis of Heredity) or send to my e-mail: mylsabdao@bicol-u.edu.ph (with e-mail
subject and file format: Surname_Course Yr and Section_Group No._Lab Exer 1A)

References:
Laude, R.P., Barrion, A.A., Mendioro, M.S., Diaz, M.G.Q., Bebing, N.N., Villafuerte, L.S, &
Ramirez, D.A. (2001). Genetics laboratory manual (10th ed.). Genetics and Molecular Biology
Division. IBS. CAS. UPLB.