Genetic Processes Unit 2

Genetic Processes The Nature of Heredity Learning Goal: We are learning the terminology of genetics. Success Criteria: I know I am succeeding when I can… describe where genetic information is found explain the difference between haploid and diploid explain the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction

Genetics heredity: process in which traits are passed from parents to offspring genetics: the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics

Genetic Material when we “inherit” traits from our parents what we inherit is genetic information DNA: a molecule that carries genetic information in cells

Genetic Material Cont’d… gene: a segment of DNA that carries information for a specific trait   chromosome: a nuclear structure made up of DNA and protein on which all genes are located locus: the location of a gene on a chromosome

Genetic Material Cont’d chromosomes are found in the nucleus of all eukaryotic cells

Chromosomes different organisms have different types and numbers of chromosomes

Chromosomes Cont’d… in most multicellular organisms, chromosomes occur in sets diploid cells (2n): have two sets of chromosomes haploid cells (n): have half the normal number of chromosomes polyploids: cells that contain three or more sets of chromosomes

Asexual Reproduction asexual reproduction: the production of offspring from a single parent occurs through cell division chromosomes of parent cell are duplicated and divided so two daughter cells each receive one copy of each chromosome result is two new genetically identical cells

Sexual Reproduction Sexual Reproduction: production of offspring from the fusion of two sex cells (usually from two different parents) half of their genetic information is from each parents the genetic makeup of the offspring is different from that of either parent and are rarely genetically identical to each other

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Asexual Reproduction do not have to seek out a mate do not have to perform specialized mating behaviours possess specialized anatomy nothing is left to chance Disadvantages: if and when the environment changes, the individuals may not be well adapted to survive

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Sexual Reproduction Cont’d… variability increases the chances of a species surviving changes in the environment some offspring may not be well adapted for change, while others may have traits that allow them to adapt to a new environment

Advantages and Disadvantages Of Sexual Reproduction must have specialized organs to produce sex cells sex is biologically “costly” and potentially risky (ex. producing flowers attracts pollinators like bees, but also requires the production of nectar) possible that the offspring may inherit a combination of genetic information that makes them weak and unable to survive

Genetic Processes The Nature of Heredity Learning Goal: We are learning the terminology of genetics. Success Criteria: I know I am succeeding when I can… describe where genetic information is found explain the difference between haploid and diploid explain the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction

Homework answer 4.1 questions # 1-3,7-9