Heredity

Heredity is the transfer of traits from one generation to another generation.

Gregor Mendel

• Gregor Mendel is the father of genetics.

• Gregor Mendel discovered the basic principles of heredity through experiments with pea plants.

Inherited Traits

Inherited traits are characteristics or features of one organism that are inherited.

Dominant Traits

• Dominant traits are traits that hide other traits when passed on to offspring.

• Dominant traits show its specific trait even if only one parent passes the gene.

• When a child inherits a dominant brown hair gene the child will have brown hair.

Recessive Traits

• Recessive traits are traits that get hidden by dominant traits.

• Recessive traits show it’s specific trait when both parents pass the gene to offspring.

• When a child inherits a recessive blue eye gene from both parents the child will have blue eyes.

How are traits passed?

• Traits are passed from parent to offspring when organisms reproduce.

• The passing down of traits begins in the cells.

• Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things.

• Cells contain the body’s heredity material and can make copies of themselves.

Nucleus

• The nucleus is a small egg-shaped structure inside the cell.

• The nucleus acts like the brain of the cell.

• The nucleus contains the chromosomes and genes.

• The nucleus stores the cells heredity material or DNA.

Chromosomes

• Chromosomes are thread like structures found in the nucleus of a cell that contains all DNA.

• Each chromosome is made of protein and a single molecule of DNA.

• Chromosomes come in sets of 2 (or pairs)

• Human cells contain 46 chromosomes or 23 pairs.

• Half of these chromosomes come from one parent and half come from the other parent.

DNA

• DNA is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for all living organisms.

• DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid.

• DNA contains the specific instructions that make each type of living creature unique.

• DNA determines how the cells in a body function.

Genes

• Genes determine traits.

• Genes are a segment of DNA on a chromosome with instructions for one trait.

• Genes come in pairs.

• Each parent has two copies of each gene.

• Each parent passes along one copy to make up the genes of the offspring.

1. Cells contain the nucleus.

2. The nucleus contains the chromosomes.

3. The chromosomes contain the DNA.

4. DNA contains the genes.

Acquired Traits

• Acquired traits are not passed down to offspring genetically.

• Acquired traits are learned traits.

• Acquired traits are the product of the environments influence on the organism.