Our Genes, Our Selves: Notes #1
Genetics: the study of variation and heredity.
Heredity: the study of traits that are passed down from parents to their
children.
Trait: a genetically determined characteristic or condition.
-can be; Physical (hair color, leaf shape, etc.), or
Behavioral (nesting in birds, burrowing in rodents, etc.)
- traits typically result from combined action of several genes.
Inherited Trait: traits passed from parents to children.
Genes: inherited bits of information (segments of DNA) that are passed
from parent’s cells to child’s cells.
DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid
Offspring: a new organism produced by one or more parents.
Genetic Disorder: a condition or illness caused by abnormalities in
genes or chromosomes.