Gene Rummy: A Card Game about Mendelian Genetics

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2014, Volume 35

Katrin Becker

Abstract

Many people struggle with the fundamental concepts underlying Mendelian genetics. The classic examples are fine, but additional resources can be helpful. Here's a visual way to learn the jargon and the basic principles of Mendelian inheritance while playing a fast-paced card game using rabbit coat color genetics. Coat color in rabbits demonstrates dominance/recessive traits, differences in pheno- vs. genotypes, epistasis, and multiple alleles — all of which blend together to form the color we see. This workshop is a demonstration of our prototype card game and participants will have an opportunity to examine the cards, see how the games are played and try a few hands themselves.

Keywords:  phenotype, genotype, Mendelian genetics

University of Calgary (2013)