Diversity of life forms Chromosomes and genes

What is hereditary information It is the information found within the chromosomes of each cell. It is passed down from parents to their offspring. A characteristic is a particular aspect –either internal or external- in a living organism.

What is a chromosome? A chromosome is a component within the nucleus of a cell. It contains hereditary information. Each chromosome generally looks like a tiny rod.

Chromosome Each species has a specific number of chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. All of the cells in a living organism have the same chromosomes (Except sex cells) The chromosomes of a living organism contain all of its genetic information

What a chromosomes look like?

What is a gene A gene is a unit of hereditary information that occupies a specific place within a chromosome. According to genetic specialists, the pairs of chromosomes in a human cell contain around 30 000 genes.

Chromosomes and genes

The roles of genes All your hereditary characteristics – the colour of your eye, the shape of your face, the colour of your hair, the height you will be as an adult, even the way your organs work – are determined by genes. (Genes largely dictate who you are) Defective genes can lead to hereditary illnesses. For example, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy can be caused by the presence of an abnormal gene.