TEKS 7.14A define heredity as the passage of genetic instructions from one generation to the next
TEKS 7.14C recognize that inherited traits of individuals are governed in the genetic material found in the genes within
chromosomes in the nucleus
Introduction to Genetics
Gregor Mendel is often called the “Father of Genetics”.
He identified dominant and recessive traits by studying the
heredity of pea plants.
The process by which characteristics or traits are
passed from parents to offspring is called heredity. The
scientific study of heredity, or how genes pass to offspring, is
called genetics. Traits are an organism’s physical
characteristics (phenotype), like nose shape, eye color, blood type or eyelash
length. These traits are controlled by genes that are passed to us from our
parents. Human cells contain rod-shaped structures called chromosomes.
Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of a cell and are made up of long strands
of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA is made up of
genes that carry the genetic information that
controls our traits. Chromosomes exist in pairs,
each chromosome having the same genes;
therefore genes also exist in pairs (genotype).
Offspring receive one set from the mother and one
from the father. Each offspring will receive a
different combination of genes from its parents.
Sexual reproduction results in more diversity due
to the large number of gene combinations that may
occur.
Each member of a gene pair is called an allele. Alleles are different forms of
the same gene, for example one allele may be for dimples and the other allele for
no dimples. Alleles may be dominant or recessive. A dominant allele is a
strong form of a gene whose traits always show up in the organism. The
recessive allele on the other hand is a weak form of a gene that can be hidden or
covered up if the dominant allele is present.
TEKS 7.14A define heredity as the passage of genetic instructions from one generation to the next
TEKS 7.14C recognize that inherited traits of individuals are governed in the genetic material found in the genes within
chromosomes in the nucleus
Introduction to Genetics
Gregor ______________ is often called the “Father of
Genetics”. He identified __________________ and
________________ traits by studying the heredity of pea plants.
The process by which characteristics or ______________
are passed from parents to offspring is called ______________.
The scientific study of heredity, or how ______________ pass to offspring, is called
______________. ______________ are an organism’s ______________
characteristics (phenotype), like nose shape, eye color, blood type or eyelash
length. These traits are controlled by ______________ that are passed to us from
our ______________. Human cells contain rod-shaped
structures called ___________________. Chromosomes are
found in the ______________ of a cell and are made up of
long strands of ______________ (deoxyribonucleic acid).
DNA is made up of ______________ that carry the genetic
information that controls our ______________.
___________________ exist in pairs, each chromosome
having the same ______________; therefore genes also
exist in ______________ (genotype). Offspring receive
one set from the ______________ and one from the ______________. Each
___________________ will receive a different ___________________ of genes
from its parents. Sexual ___________________ results in more
___________________ due to the large number of gene combinations that may
occur.
Each member of a gene pair is called an ______________. Alleles are
different forms of the same ______________, for example one allele may be for
dimples and the other allele for no dimples. Alleles may be ______________ or
______________. A ______________ allele is a ______________ form of a gene
whose traits always show up in the organism. The ______________ allele on the
other hand is a ______________ form of a gene that can be hidden or covered up
if the dominant allele is present.