Grades 5–12 (Kit)
Are you a taster or a non-taster? Explore human genetics and sensory biology with PTC paper! These testing strips allow students to discover whether they can taste the bitter compound phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). The ability to taste PTC is controlled by a single gene, TAS2R38, which codes for a taste receptor on the tongue. About 75% of people can taste PTC, while 25% cannot — making this a great activity for data collection and class discussion.
This quick, engaging test helps students connect genotype to phenotype, explore dominant and recessive traits, and collect data to create graphs or Punnett squares.
Kit Contents
- 1 vial of PTC paper containing 100 testing strips
Lesson Plans
Use this kit with heredity and genetics lessons available on the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix. It pairs especially well with activities exploring dominant/recessive inheritance, trait surveys, and probability.
Extend the Learning
Combine this activity with a taste test using bitter and non-bitter cucumber seeds or integrate with the Pompom Punnett Square Kit to model trait inheritance and predict class results.
