Albino Tobacco Seedlings Lab

Guiding Question 1: Is it possible to determine the genotypes and phenotypes of parent

organisms by looking at the phenotypes of their children?
Guiding Question 2: How do the environment and genetics determine an organisms
characteristics?
Introduction: Albinism is a recessive genetic disorder that prevents an organism from being able
to produce pigment. Typically, plants or animals that are albino are white or very pale. In this lab,
you will count the number of seedlings that are albino and use that information to determine the
genotypes and phenotypes of their parents. All of the seeds in the class came from the same
batch.
Procedure:
1. Fold the piece of paper towel in half, then draw a circle on it using the petri dish as a guide
2. Cut out a circle of paper towel that is two layers thick and place it in the bottom of your petri
dish. The paper towel should cover the entire bottom of the petri dish.
3. Measure out 4mL of water using the graduated cylinder, and pour the water in the petri dish.
Your paper towel should be saturated with water.
4. Carefully sprinkle your seeds onto the paper towel. Try to spread them out as much as
possible. Be careful not to lose any, as the seeds are very small.
5. Write the names of all group members and the hour on your ziplock bag using a sharpie.
6. Carefully place the petri dish inside the ziplock bag, then put it in the designated location.
We will count the number of albino seeds and non-albino seeds that have germinated after
one week.
In your composition notebook, answer the following questions. Each group member is
responsible for recording this information in their own composition notebook. You do not need to
write the question, but please answer in complete sentences.
1. Are your seeds being kept in the dark or the light?
2. Albino organisms do not produce pigment. What is the name of the pigment that gives
plants their green color? What is its function?
3. Write at least three hypotheses using the following format. Each time, predict what the
seedlings will look like if the parent plants had a different genotype.
If the genotype of the parent plants was_______, then (all, some, none) of the seedlings
will be albino.
4. Will being grown in the dark affect how many of the seedlings are albino? Why or why not?
Write a hypothesis that addresses this question using an If then statement.