Genetics Basics (Heredity)

DNA – is made up of nucleotides and is the ‘blueprint’ for an organism, it contains all the information that determines inherited characteristics

Trait – the expression of the information found within a gene

Gene – series of nucleotides found within the DNA that encodes for a given trait (ex. Hair color, blood type, etc.)

Alleles – different forms of the same genes such as brown eyes vs Alleles – different forms of the same genes such as brown eyes vs. blue eyes

Genetic Variation – different combinations of genes between members of the same species, essential to biodiversity and the stability of a population

Let’s take a look at the genetic diversity of our class…

Attached ear lobes

Widows Peak

Hitchhiker’s Thumb

Tongue Roll

Chromosomes – the structures of DNA made up of genes Homologous Chromosome – chromosomes that have the same genes in the same locations “pairs” Each organism gets one chromosome from their mother, one from their father to make up the pair.

Karyotype – is an organized profile of a person’s chromosomes Karyotype – is an organized profile of a person’s chromosomes. Chromosomes are arranged and numbered by size (from largest to smallest, except for sex chromosomes which are always placed last). This genetic picture makes it easy to recognize chromosomal mutations.

Female Chromosome Karyotype

Male Chromosome Karyotype