ANALYTICAL STUDY OF HUMAN GENETIC TRAITS IN THE OFFSPRING AS INHERITED FROM

MALE AND FEMALE PARENT

DANILO V. ROGAYAN JR.

Presented to:

Dr. MA. ESTER DELA ROSA-MARIÑASCollege of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

RAMON MAGSAYSAY TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITYSan Marcelino, Zambales

in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for

MAJOR 9 (Genetics)

MARCH 2011

INTRODUCTION

All complex living things, plants, animals and humans contain materials

that allow them to pass traits to their offspring. In the cells of all living things,

genetic material resides inside the nucleus waiting to decide the traits of future

generations. Genes containing DNA, one from each parent, line up on pairs of

chromosomes. Hundreds or thousands of genes may exist on one chromosome.

A human cell contains just 23 pairs of chromosomes but may contain up to

35,000 genes (O’Neil, 2011).

Human genetics describes the study of inheritance as it occurs in human

beings (Wikipedia, 2011). Genes can be the common factor of the qualities of

most human-inherited traits. Study of human genetics can be useful as it can

answer questions about human nature, understand the diseases and

development of effective disease treatment, and understand genetics of human

life.

This paper entitled, “Analytical Study of Human Genetic Traits in the

Offspring as Inherited from the Male and Female Parent” seeks to give a

substantial overview on the inherited human genetic traits acquired by the

offspring from its parents. This likewise show how often genetic traits are

contributed by the male parent, by the female parent or both.

The dominance and recessiveness of human genetics traits inherited by

the offspring was has been traced and has been analyzed to better understand

the concepts of human genetics.

The genes that determine traits have variations known as alleles. These

determine slight differences in traits such as whether or not a person has

dimples. Inherited alleles may be identical or different. Alleles interact in different

ways. One way is to behave in a dominant and recessive manner. The dominant

allele trait always presents itself when alleles differ. However, the recessive trait

only presents when both alleles are recessive. This interaction only applies to

traits determined by a single gene. When more than a single gene determines

traits, other more complicated interactions occur.

Through this study, the researcher hopes to contribute a more

understandable concept in the study of human genetics as substantiated by the

data gathered. Moreover, an easier approach in studying human genetics is also

aimed to radiate by this study.

METHODOLOGY

In order for this study to be more reliable, a sample family which

composes an offspring and its parents were selected.

Selection of the Family Respondent. The researcher considered some

criteria in choosing a respondent for the conduct of the study. The researcher

had a total of two days starting March 21-22, 2011 selecting the sample family.

Among the considerations taken in selecting a sample respondent were: (1) the

family should know the researcher for at least a year and vice-versa for easier

communication; (2) the family should have at least one child aged 15 year-old;

(3) the family should be proximate to the researcher’s reach for a better study;

and (4) the family should have adequate knowledge on the traits of their children.

Setting-up of an Interview. After the selection process, the next

procedure was the setting-up of an interview to the respondent family. The

researcher prepared a communication letter requesting the family respondent for

a convenient time to do the interview. After which, the researcher gave it to the

respondent family on March 23, 2011. The researcher and the respondent

agreed to conduct the interview the day after.

Conduct of the Interview. The researcher conducted the interview on

March 24, 2011 at the Public Information Office, RMTU – San Marcelino

Campus, San Marcelino, Zambales of which the respondent, Ms. Lorina P.

Bundang, is staying. The interview started at 3:00 pm and ended about 4:30 pm.

The medium of the interview was in bi-lingual language and the mode was in

semi-formal. After the interview, the researcher thanked the respondent for the

opportunity given.

Accomplishing the Results of the Interview. The researcher started

accomplishing the results of the interview on March 25, 2011 of which the results

were entered into a Genetic Traits Interview Form (See Appendix A) for better

analysis.

Analysis of the Results. The researcher analyzed the results of the

interview through the interview data gathered and through the pictures provided

by the respondent. Genetic resources were also used by the researcher to better

analyze the genetic concepts involved.

Validation of the Results. The validation of the results was conducted on

March 27, 2011 of which the researcher had an actual visit to the respondent’s

house and had the chance to see the offspring and the male parent. After the

actual visitation, the researcher let the respondent signed the interview form for

the verified data entered.

Preparation of the Write-up. After all data gathered, the researcher

started preparing the write-up on March 28, 2011 and proper references were

gathered to add substance to the research.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The family respondent which has been chosen by the researcher was the

family of Ms. Lorina Paranada-Bundang, 42-year old, and Mr. Renato A.

Bundang, 44-year old. The researcher selected their older daughter, Loreen

Daphnee P. Bundang, 15-year old, as the offspring respondent.

The family is residing at Del Pilar, Castillejos, Zambales. The mother is

working as instructor at RMTU – San Marcelino Campus while the father works

as engineer at Philseco, Subic, Zambales. Their daughter is currently a third year

high school at the Regional Science High School at Olongapo City.

The researcher used a Genetics Traits Interview Form in gathering the

data about the genetic traits of the offspring as inherited from the male and

female parents.

Simply put, traits are certain characteristics that humans have, their

behavior patterns, the ability to react to certain situations in a particular way; and

more importantly - certain physical attributes. It is what makes all of us human in

the true sense. Now the thing about traits is that we inherit some of them, while

others are acquired.

Inherited genetic traits include physical characteristics, medical and health

issues, genetic aspect, and some say intelligence.

Traits are passed on from parent to child through genes and

chromosomes which are made up of DNA. Some genes are dominant while

others are recessive. The dominant genes are responsible for traits in humans,

while recessive genes will only come into action if the dominant genes are

missing. Thus it is these genes that will decide the inherited traits in humans.

Physical Characteristics. The physical characteristics include the stature

or height, presence of dimple, color of the hair, eye and skin, earlobes, the

capacity of the tongue to roll, cleft chain, face freckles, hair appearance, thumb,

handedness, the appearance of the lips and the nose.

Stature. Stature is the natural height of a human or animal in an upright

position. The daughter is short in height. She inherited the trait from her mother

who is also a short-statured person unlike his father who is tall.

Presence of Dimple. Dimples are genetically inherited and are visible

indentations of the skin, caused by underlying flesh, which form on some

people's cheeks, especially when they smile. A dimple is present to the offspring

same with her mom. Her father does not have any dimple.

Hair Color. Hair color is the pigmentation of hair follicles due to two types

of melanin, eumelanin and pheomelanin. Generally, if more melanin is present,

the color of the hair is darker; if less melanin is present, the hair is lighter. Levels

of melanin can vary over time causing a person's hair color to change, and it is

possible to have hair follicles of more than one color. In the case of the

respondent, the daughter has a brownish hair color the same with his father. Her

mother has a black hair.

Eye Color. Eye color is a polygenic phenotypic character and is

determined by the amount and type of pigments in the eye's iris. Humans and

other animals have many phenotypic variations in eye color, as blue, brown,

gray, green, and others. These variations constitute phenotypic traits. The

offspring has a brown eye color which she inherited from his father. Her mother

has a black eye.

Skin Color. Skin color is primarily due to the presence of melanin in the

skin. Skin color ranges from almost black to white with a pinkish tinge due to

blood vessels underneath. Variation in natural skin color is mainly due to

genetics. The daughter has brown skin color inherited from his mother. Her father

is fair-skinned.

Earlobes. Earlobes are composed of tough areolar and adipose (fatty)

connective tissues, lacking the firmness and elasticity of the rest of the pinna.

There are two kinds of earlobes. The attached earlobes and the outward

earlobes. Attached earlobes are those in which the lobes are joined to the side of

the head. They appear to be one complete structure. Whereas outward earlobes

are those in which the lobe seems as if it is detached. They appear hanging from

the ear. In the case of the respondent, the daughter has an attached earlobe the

same as her mother while his father has an outward earlobe.

Tongue Rolling. Some people are able to roll their tongue while others

can't. This is due to the working of the dominant and recessive gene. Some

people have the dominant gene which enables then to roll their tongue while

others don't. The daughter can’t roll her tongue while both of her parents can.

Cleft Chain. A cleft chin is rather uncommon and comes about in people

as a result of a dominant gene and a recessive smooth chin gene. While in the

majority of the human race, it works the other way round. The daughter and her

parents do not have cleft chain.

Face Freckles. Freckles are clusters of concentrated melanin which are

most often visible on people with a fair complexion. Face freckles are present in

the daughter and the mother while his father does not have any.

Hair Appearance. Hair appearance can be straight, curly or kinky. In the

respondent’s case, the daughter and both her parents have all straight hair.

Thumb. Thumb is classified into two, a straight thumb or a hitchhiker's

thumb (one that is slightly bent backwards). A hitchhiker's thumb is rarer than a

straight thumb. The daughter and both her parents have straight thumbs.

Handedness. Handedness or chirality, is an attribute of humans defined

by their unequal distribution of fine motor skill between the left and right hands.

The offspring and her parents are all right-handed.

Lips. Lips are a visible body part at the mouth of humans and many

animals. Lips are soft, movable, and serve as the opening for food intake and in

the articulation of sound and speech. The daughter has thick lips which she

inherited from her mother. Her father is a thin-lipped person.

Nose. Anatomically, a nose is a protuberance in vertebrates that houses

the nostrils, or nares, which admit and expel air for respiration in conjunction with

the mouth. The daughter has a pointed big nose which she inherited from her

father while her mother has a small nose.

From the physical traits mentioned, it can be synthesize that the offspring

inherited her stature, the presence of dimple, skin color, earlobes, face freckles

and her lips from her mother. The offspring’s hair color and nose were inherited

from his father. While, the offspring’s cleft chain, hair appearance, thumb and her

handedness were inherited both from her mother and father.

Medical and Health Issues. Next criterion of genetic traits is the medical

and health issues which includes prone to gain weight, allergies, asthma and the

like.

Prone to Gain Weight. Gain weight is an increase in body weight. This can

be either an increase in muscle mass, fat deposits, or excess fluids such as

water. The daughter and her mother are prone to gain weight while his father is

not.

Allergies. Allergies are hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system.

Allergic reactions occur to normally harmless environmental substances known

as allergens; these reactions are acquired, predictable, and rapid. The daughter

has no allergy like her mother, while her father has one.

Asthma. Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways

characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction,

and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and

shortness of breath. Both the daughter and the father have no asthma while the

mother has one.

The medical and health issues of the offspring are inherited variously. The

prone to gain weight and allergies are inherited from her mother. Meanwhile,

absence of asthma is inherited from her father.

Intelligence Level. Intelligence is a term describing one or more

capacities of the mind. In different contexts this can be defined in different ways,

including the capacities for abstract thought, understanding, communication,

reasoning, learning, planning, emotional intelligence and problem solving. The

offspring is a fast learner which she inherited from her mother. On the other

hand, the father is an average learner.

Intelligence is a genetic trait inherited by the offspring from the parents.

But environment could also interfere in its enhancement and full development.

Genetic Aspect. The genetic aspect gathered by the researcher from the

respondents is the blood type. Blood is a complex, living tissue that contains

many cell types and proteins. A transporter, regulator, and defender, blood

courses through the body carrying out many important functions. The offspring

has a blood type of O while her mother is AB and her father is also an O type.

People with type O blood are universal donors because there are no

molecules on the surface of the red blood cells that can trigger an immune

response. People with type AB blood are universal recipients because they do

not have any antibodies that will recognize type A or B surface molecules.

CONCLUSION

These were some of the dominant and recessive traits in humans. Every

physical, emotional, mental and health trait exhibited by an individual is all due to

gene expression. Whether one wants to or does not want, genes are inherited by

default. One can never know what traits a baby will inherit from which parent.

The genes contain the secrete of life, that is unraveled only after a baby is born.

Every physical trait that one has is inherited, from how tall he is to whether

he has a dimple in his chin, can be attributed to his genes. He can credit his hair

color and eye color to inheritance. Meanwhile, not all medical issues are

inherited, but a large portion can be. Whether or not one is prone to heart

problems, if he has asthma and how strong his immune system are all inherited.

Also, whether one has allergies or is prone to gain weight are each inherited

characteristics. However, environmental factors, accidents, poor diet and other

outside factors can play havoc with one’s inherited traits.

Some would group genetic problems with health issues, but these are

developmental and physical problems that are carried on the genes and are

usually present at birth. Intelligence is a difficult trait to consider as so much plays

into just what a child's intelligence is. However research has shown that people

within the same family tend to have intelligence scores that are within 15 points

of each other. Intelligence can be greatly influenced by nutrition and

environment. If a child is set to inherit a high intelligence from his parents, but he

has poor nutrition and is never played with or read to, he probably will not reach

his full potential.

Human genetics plays a big role in the traits that an offspring will acquire

from its male and female parent. We just need to be knowledgeable that genetic

traits will also be affected by the environment where we are part.

Studying human genetics can be useful as it can answer questions about

human nature, understand the diseases and development of effective disease

treatment, and understand genetics of human life.

DOCUMENTATION

Figure 1. The male parent, Mr. Renato A. Bundang andthe female parent, Ms. Lorina P.Bundang.

Figure 2. The offspring, Ms. Loreen Daphnee P. Bundang (seating).

Figure 3. The offspring, Ms. Loreen Daphnee P. Bundang (standing).

Figure 4. Bundang family picture.

Figure 5 & 6. The researcher, Danilo V. Rogayan Jr. as he interview the respondent.

REFERENCES

O'Neil, Dennis. 2011. Behavioral Sciences Department, Palomar College,

San Marcos, California.

Wikipedia. 2011. Human Genetics. Retrieved on March 28, 2011 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_genetics.

Wikipedia. 2011. Physical Characteristics. Retrieved on March 28, 2011

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_characteristics.

Wikipedia. 2011. Intelligence. Retrieved on March 28, 2011 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence.

Wikipedia. 2011. Human Genetics. Retrieved on March 28, 2011 from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_genetics.

Encarta. 2010. Inherited Traits. Microsoft Encarta 2010.

GENETIC TRAITS INTERVIEW FORM

Place of Interview: _______________________ Date: ________________

Name of Mother: _______________________ Age: ________________

Name of Father: _______________________ Age: ________________

Name of the Child: _______________________ Age: ________________

TRAITS MATRIXTrait Description Father Mother

Physical CharacteristicsStaturePresence of DimpleHair ColorEye ColorSkin ColorEarlobes Tongue Rolling Cleft ChainFace frecklesHair AppearanceThumbHandednessLipsNoseMedical and Health IssuesProne to Gain WeightAllergiesAsthmaOthersIntelligence Intelligence LevelGenetic AspectBlood Type

_______________________________Name and Signature of the Interviewee