Engaging the Student (Entry Task) 

Checking for Understanding (exit ticket)

50 min

and hair color. Remind students, however, that many traits cannot be seen by looking at a person.

Have students turn & talk and try to come up with three traits that cannot be seen by looking at a person. Have each pair share out.

• Genetic Traits Images (1/group)
• Exploring Diversity in the Classroom (1/student) 

View the full lesson plan here:

• Lesson 3-3: Introduction to Multifactorial Traits

Overview

Students explore human diversity by examining some of their own traits and discuss whether each trait is determined by genes, the environment, or a combination of both genes and environment. Students graph their class data for mid-digital finger hair and

height onto two histograms and discuss the distribution of these two traits in their classroom population. They discuss what factors contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes and develop an expanded understanding of what is considered an environmental

factor for diseases like diabetes.

Enduring understanding

Most traits are determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including complex diseases like type 2 diabetes.

Essential question

• What is a multifactorial trait and how might this apply to type 2 diabetes?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

• Interpret histograms they make showing the distributions of two different traits
• Identify traits that are determined by genes only, by the environment only, or by a combination of genes and environment
• Write a definition for multifactorial trait and provide an example

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have an  understanding of the following terms: trait, gene, genetic factor, environmental factor

This lesson provided by:  Type 2 Diabetes: A complex disease of gene and environment interactions. Copyright 2014 by University of Washington. This curriculum was created by Genome Sciences Education Outreach (GSEO) and is supported by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) of the National Institutes of Health through Grant Number R25OD010966. Permission is granted to download, reproduce through printing or photocopying, and distribute copies of Type 2 Diabetes: A complex disease of gene and environment interactions for non-commercial, educational purposes only, provided that credit for the source (GSEO and copyright (© 2014 University of Washington) is given.

• 2 histograms drawn on white board or poster paper to record student data (1/class)
• Venn Diagram drawn on white board or poster paper (1/class)
• 2"x 3" sticky notes (2 per student)

Ask students:

1. Which category do you think most human traits fall into, genetic, environmental, or multifactorial? (ANSWER: Most human traits are multifactorial)
2. What category does type 2 diabetes fall into? Justify your answer. (ANSWER: Type 2 diabetes is multifactorial because many genetic and environmental factors contribute to whether someone will develop it.)
3. What are the implications of your answer to the previous question on the study of diseases like type 2 diabetes? (ANSWER: Multifactorial diseases like type 2 diabetes are very complex to investigate. Scientists must look for genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to disease susceptibility. On the plus side, conditions with an environmental component can sometimes be prevented or treated through modification of environmental factors.)