Genetic Facts and Fallacies

Have you ever heard anyone say that the male is stronger of the two sexes and the he controls the heredity of the child? Or have you heard anyone suggest that an expectant mother who attedns concerts will have a child who will become a musician? We would like to determine the extent to which some basic genetic principles and concepts are understood by our students. Certain of the statements are true while others are false. The purpose of this survey is not to tet you, but to provide a survey for us to use.

Thanks,
Mr. Knee
Name (optional): 


  1. Certain acquired characteristics, such as mechanical or mathematical skill, may be inherited.
    Yes
    No


  1. Identical twins are always the same sex.
    Yes
    No


  1. Fraternal twins are more closely related to each other than other children in a family.
    Yes
    No


  1. The father determines the sex of a child.
    Yes
    No


  1. Each parent contributes half of a child's genetic makeup.
    Yes
    No


  1. Cedrtain thoughts or experiences of a mother may mark or alter the hereditary makeup of an unborn child.
    Yes
    No


  1. Color blindness is more common in males than in females.
    Yes
    No


  1. A person may transmit characteristics to offspring which he, himself, does not show.
    Yes
    No


  1. Certain hereditary characteristics are influenced by the blood.
    Yes
    No


  1. Identical twins are more closely related than fraternal twins.
    Yes
    No


  1. Certain inherited traits may be altered by the stars, moon, or planets early in development.
    Yes
    No


  1. Males are biologically stronger than females.
    Yes
    No


  1. The tendency to produce twins may run in families.
    Yes
    No


  1. A craving for food such as strawberries may cause a birthmark on an unborn child.
    Yes
    No


  1. Many of a person's inherited traits are not apparent.
    Yes
    No


  1. The parent with the stronger will contributes more to a child's inheritance than the other parent.
    Yes
    No


  1. If a person loses a limb in an accident, it is likely that he or she will have a child with a missing limb.
    Yes
    No


  1. The attitude of parents toward each other influences the emotional makeup of an unborn child.
    Yes
    No


  1. Children born to older parents usually lack the vitality of those children born to younger parents.
    Yes
    No


  1. The total number of male births exceeds female births each year.
    Yes
    No