UNIT 3: GENETICS
1. Inheritance and Reproduction
Genetics – the study of the inheritance of biological traits (characteristics)
Inheritance - the passing of traits from parent to offspring
- passing of traits occurs via the process of reproduction
Reproduction Review
- all living things reproduce in order to continue the species
- the instructions for all of an organisms traits are within the nuclei of its cells on
structures called chromosomes
- chromosomes are made of Deoxyribonucleic Acid DNA and contain the hereditary
codes and instructions of the cell
- an organism must have a full set of instructions, and therefore a full set of chromosomes
in each body cell to function normally thus chromosomes are duplicated before
reproduction takes place
- two types of reproduction:
A) Asexual Reproduction
: Offspring are produced from only 1 parent through the process of Binary Fission
= Mitosis
: Offspring are then genetically identical to the parent (clones)
: this is seen simple Unicellular organisms (ie. Bacteria, Amoeba)
B) Sexual Reproduction
: Offspring are produced from two parents
: Each parent donates one special sex cell called a gamete
: A gamete contains only half of the full number of chromosomes for that organism
= haploid number (n) Ex. Humans: n = 23
: Two gametes will fuse in a process called fertilization producing a zygote with the
full chromosome number = diploid (2n) Ex. Humans: 2n= 46
: This assures genetic variation within the species
= offspring are never identical to one parent as each parent passes only 1 allele for
each trait (like shuffling cards before dealing)
: Gametes are produced through a type of cell division called Meiosis
Meiosis (Reduction Division)
- occurs in germ cells of the gonads ovaries and testes
- these cells go through the Cell Cycle (G1, S, G2, M) with MEIOSIS being the type of
cell division that takes place
- daughter cells (gametes) contain only half the number of chromosomes as the parent
cell, therefore, division must occur twice Amoeba Sisters Meiosis
• Stages of Meiosis
A) Meiosis I (Reduces Chromosome Number)
- consists of phases similar to Mitosis and chromosomes have replicated during interphase so
are double stranded
- In Prophase I, each chromosome pair up with another chromosome that is similar in size and
shape to form a tetrad via a process called synapsis.
:A tetrad contains four sister chromatids = homologous pair
- As the homologous chromosomes move closer together, they intertwine, break and exchange
genetic information (= more possible combinations of traits)
- This is called crossing over
- During anaphase I: the centromeres do not separate
= one double stranded chromosome moves to each pole via segregation
Result of Meiosis I:
-2 haploid (n) daughter cells, each has half of the # of chromosomes as the parent cells
= the chromosome number is reduced
B) Interkinesis = resting stage between Meiosis I and Meiosis II
= NO REPLICATION of chromosomes
C) Meiosis II (Determines Number of Gametes)
- Occurs at the same time in each haploid daughter cell
- is basically a Mitotic division of each daughter cell
Result of Meiosis II:
- 4 haploid daughter cells which are called gametes
Amoeba Sisters: Mitosis vs Meiosis [Link]
Mitosis Meiosis
Type of cell in which it Certain cells of the reproductive
All body cells
occurs organs
Number of Cells
Two Four
produced
Number of
chromosomes in the Diploid (2n) Diploid (2n)
parent cell
Number of
Same as the parent Half as many as the parents cell.
chromosomes in the
cell. Diploid (2n) Haploid (n)
daughter cells
Type of cell produced Various body cells Gametes (sex cells)
Function of process Growth and repair Ensure variation and diversity