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Understanding Genetics and Inheritance

The document provides an overview of genetics, focusing on how traits are inherited through genes and chromosomes. It distinguishes between inherited characteristics, which are controlled by genes, and non-inherited characteristics, which are learned. Additionally, it highlights the contributions of Gregor Mendel to the field of genetics and emphasizes the importance of understanding genetic terminology for exam preparation.

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kathleengeorge2011
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7 views2 pages

Understanding Genetics and Inheritance

The document provides an overview of genetics, focusing on how traits are inherited through genes and chromosomes. It distinguishes between inherited characteristics, which are controlled by genes, and non-inherited characteristics, which are learned. Additionally, it highlights the contributions of Gregor Mendel to the field of genetics and emphasizes the importance of understanding genetic terminology for exam preparation.

Uploaded by

kathleengeorge2011
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Inheritance and Variation

Genetics: the study of how traits/characteristics are inherited.

Building Blocks of Genetics

Genes: sections of DNA, found on chromosomes, that determine traits such as eye colour.

Inherited characteristics Non-inherited characteristics


• These are controlled by genes. • These are not controlled by genes.

• They are passed from parents to offspring. • They are learned throughout life.

• E.g. skin colour, eye colour, face shape. • E.g. reading, cycling, or playing a musical
instrument.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) Chromosomes


• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is stored in chromosomes. • Chromosomes are thread-like structures,
located in the cell nucleus.
• DNA acts as the blueprint inside nearly all living cells,
guiding their functions. • They are made of DNA and protein.

• It was discovered by scientists Watson and Crick. • They contain genes.

• Human cells typically contain 46 chromosomes,


grouped into 23 pairs.
• Gametes (egg and sperm cells) only contain 23
chromosomes each. When they fuse, they form
a zygote with 46 chromosomes.

Variation
Variation : differences among individuals within the same
species.

Species: a group of organisms that can breed with each other


to produce fertile offspring.

Fertile : an organism is capable of producing young.

Asexual Reproduction: Involves one parent. Offspring produced are genetically identical to the parent e.g. bacteria.

Important Terms for Genetics


Allele: Different versions of the same gene.

Genotype: The genetic makeup of an organism, represented by two letters for each gene.

Phenotype: The observable physical traits of an organism, such as brown eyes.


Recessive: The gene that is not visibly expressed in the presence of a dominant gene.

Dominant: The gene that is visibly expressed in the phenotype.

Mendel
Gregor Mendel "the Father of Genetics”

• Mendel was an Austrian monk who experimented on pea


plants to understand how traits are inherited.
• Mendel studied characteristics like pea plant colour, shape,
and height.
• His experiments helped establish the basic principles of
heredity.
• Mendel's work was not widely recognised during his lifetime
but became fundamental to genetics later on.

Exam Tip!

It is recommended that you practice exam questions with genetic crosses in order to be able to answer these well in the
exam.

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