Environmental Effects on Phenotype Lab

 Explore how environment shapes observable traits with two hands-on virtual experiments designed for AP Biology students. This interactive lab demonstrates that genes don’t act alone. Environmental factors can dramatically influence how genetic information is expressed.

  Two Complete Experiments:

  Experiment 1: Hydrangea & Soil pH

  – Plant genetically identical hydrangea seeds in soil with different pH levels (4.0-8.5)

  – Watch flowers bloom in colors ranging from deep blue (acidic) to bright pink (alkaline)

  – Discover how aluminum availability affects anthocyanin pigment expression

  – Same genes, dramatically different phenotypes!

  Experiment 2: Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination

  – Incubate reptile eggs (ZW or ZZ genotypes) at temperatures from 26°C to 34°C

  – Observe how incubation temperature influences sex ratio in offspring

  – Track trial data with exportable CSV for data analysis

  – Learn why some reptiles rely on environment rather than chromosomes alone

  What You’ll Learn:

  Phenotypic plasticity – How one genotype can produce multiple phenotypes

  Experimental design – Identify independent, dependent, and controlled variables

  Data collection – Record and export experimental results for analysis