Waverly School’s Middle School Science Students Study Genetics
The Waverly School’s middle school science students began their study of genetics by investigating traits for six human characteristics: eye color, tongue rolling, finger crossing, height (in cm), arm span (in cm), and PTC tasting. Of the six traits investigated, the only one that is relatively easy to determine and based on simple, one-gene Mendelian inheritance patterns is the ability to taste PTC. PTC is a chemical called phenylthiocarbamide. The PTC papers have a very small amount of this chemical, and the majority of students can taste PTC, including 7th grader Frankie in the photo above.
The Waverly School, 67 W. Bellevue Drive, Pasadena, (626) 792-5940 or visit thewaverlyschool.org.