Reading to Learn
DNA Genes, and Chromosomes
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Study the diagram and read the passage.
With a partner, discuss the main idea of the paragraph and your answers to the questions
at the end.
Fill in the graphic organizer with key information.
(gene)
Chromosomes are structures in the nucleus of cells that consist of DNA and proteins.
Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes or 46 total. During reproduction, chromosomes are
passed from parent to offspring. For each trait, an offspring gets one chromosome of each
pair from the mother and one from the father. The DNA of each chromosome has many
different sections, each of which controls a trait such as hair color or eye color. These
individual sections of DNA are called genes.
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What is an offspring?
What are the parts that make up the genetic material in the cell?
How are the parts related to one another?
What is the shape of DNA?
Chromosome
DNA