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Varied Piglet Markings

This litter of pigs all have the same parents, but some have black and white markings, while two have red and white. It is evidence that animals have varied inherited traits.

Location
Pleasantville, Iowa

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

  • Why are there two pigs in the litter that have red and white markings instead of black and white markings?
  • If these piglets have the same parents, why do they look different?

Classroom Suggestions

  • Lead students to understand that traits are passed along from parents AND grandparents, and that variation exists, even within the same litter.

Related Resources

  • Hereditary Patterns: Dominant and recessive genes are explained and Punnett squares are explained.

Iowa Core Alignment

3-LS3-1:

Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms

Credit Info

Submitted by Miika Busick

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