Original Project
Reproduction, Genes, and Heredity
Item RH025002: Eye color of offspring often resembles the eye color of parents because molecules that contain information for specifying eye color are passed from parents to offspring during reproduction.
The eye color of children often resembles the eye color of their parents. Which of the following is genetically passed from parents to children?
- Particles of color are passed from parents to children.
- Cells that become the colored part of the eye are passed from parents to children.
- Molecules that contain the information that determines eye color are passed from parents to children.
- Nothing having anything to do with eye color is passed from parents to children.
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 5265 | 7664 | 69% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 2818 | 4540 | 62% |
| 9–12 | 2446 | 3121 | 78% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 2419 | 3698 | 65% |
| Female | 2753 | 3822 | 72% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 4693 | 6788 | 69% |
| Other | 447 | 682 | 66% |
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- LS3.A Variations of inherited traits between parent and offspring arise from genetic differences that result from the subset of chromosomes (and therefore genes) inherited.
- NRC Framework
- LS1.B Each distinct gene chiefly controls the production of a specific protein, which in turn affects the traits of the individual (e.g., human skin color results from the actions of proteins that control the production of the pigment melanin).