ScienceEcosystems & HabitatsAges 13–14

Predicting Inherited Traits

Explain how alleles are inherited in sexual reproduction and use Punnett squares to predict the probability of offspring inheriting a characteristic, including dominant and recessive alleles

Lesson

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Use a one-gene model to predict genotype probabilities without oversimplifying human eye colour.

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Activity

Follow this model in an accessible mode before attempting independent work. Graph ordering is not learner mastery; revisit prerequisites if the guided task still needs full modeling.

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Check readiness rather than assuming source graph order establishes attainment.

Printer, credit, and teaching notes

Paper grid supplied. No family predictions, testing or medical conclusions. Use only the hypothetical plant trait. Open Show (S), then Guided (G), then Try (T). Hide earlier work and keys before Try. Use only the supplied stage material; do not invent additional cards. Pause or split the session if needed.

Materials are ready in each step. Use them on screen or print just the current step. Put teaching examples aside before the learner tries.

Next: Show

Adult extras

What this lesson covers and its limits

These are bounded opportunities, not learner attainment. Partial and blocked source requirements remain so.

partial: Explain how alleles are inherited in sexual reproduction and use Punnett squares to predict the probability of offspring inheriting a characteristic, including dominant and recessive alleles
This lesson uses only a hypothetical single-gene plant model. It does not establish a simple dominant/recessive rule for human traits or assess human eye-colour inheritance.
partial: Defines allele, dominant, and recessive in the context of inheritance
This lesson uses only a hypothetical single-gene plant model. It does not establish a simple dominant/recessive rule for human traits or assess human eye-colour inheritance.
partial: Constructs a Punnett square for a monohybrid cross and calculates probability ratios
This lesson uses only a hypothetical single-gene plant model. It does not establish a simple dominant/recessive rule for human traits or assess human eye-colour inheritance.
partial: Explains the difference between genotype and phenotype
This lesson uses only a hypothetical single-gene plant model. It does not establish a simple dominant/recessive rule for human traits or assess human eye-colour inheritance.
blocked: Gives an example of a human characteristic controlled by dominant/recessive alleles
No one-gene human characteristic example supplied; eye colour is polygenic. Hypothetical plant cross does not fulfil this human-specific clause.
blocked: If {{name}} was asked why two brown-eyed parents can have a blue-eyed child, could they explain what dominant and recessive alleles are and show how it works using a Punnett square?
No one-gene human characteristic example supplied; eye colour is polygenic. Hypothetical plant cross does not fulfil this human-specific clause.

This lesson uses only a hypothetical single-gene plant model. It does not establish a simple dominant/recessive rule for human traits or assess human eye-colour inheritance.

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Use a one-gene model to predict genotype probabilities without oversimplifying human eye colour.

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Learning resources

Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.

PhET Interactive Simulations · Practice link — not the full lesson

Natural Selection

Open practice(new tab)

Before you open · source notes

Natural Selection supports hands-on exploration for Predicting Inherited Traits. Not every lab worksheet.

Free interactive page, no sign-in required for the tested path.

Before you open

Ask the learner what they changed in the sim or page and what they observed.

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Source, access and review notes

Public PhET Interactive Simulations page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.

PhET Interactive Simulations. “Natural Selection.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.

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Check understanding

Defines allele, dominant, and recessive in the context of inheritance
Constructs a Punnett square for a monohybrid cross and calculates probability ratios
Explains the difference between genotype and phenotype
Gives an example of a human characteristic controlled by dominant/recessive alleles

“If your child was asked why two brown-eyed parents can have a blue-eyed child, could they explain what dominant and recessive alleles are and show how it works using a Punnett square?”

Curriculum record

Type: Conceptual
Subject: Science
Domain: Ecosystems & Habitats
Age range: Ages 13–14

Standards

ngss-ms:MS-LS3-2uk-nc-2013:KS3.Sci.Bio.Adaptation.6