 DNA stores all of the information that makes each of us who we are.  Controls the traits we possess  Trait=Physical Characteristic  Examples include skin color, eye color, height, eye sight, hair color, etc....

 Heredity= The passing of genetic material from parent to offspring.  Gene= Basic unit of heredity; a group of DNA  Inherited traits are controlled by genes ◦ Example: eye color  Allele= Variation of a gene ◦ Example: Blue eyes or Brown Eyes

 Reproduction that occurs when one organism produces offspring with identical DNA as the parent  Advantage: Quick and only requires one organism to reproduce.  Disadvantage: All offspring are identical or “clones” of the parent, no genetic diversity

 Reproduction that occurs between two organisms that result in the offspring getting DNA from both parents  Advantages: Greater genetic diversity  Disadvantages: Takes two organisms and more energy.

 In sexual reproduction, offspring receive one allele from each parent.  One allele is dominant to the other allele  The dominant allele is always expressed when present in an offspring ◦ Example: Eye Color ◦ Brown is dominant=B ◦ Blue is recessive=b ◦ If one brown allele is present the offspring will have brown eyes

 Punnet Squares are used to predict the traits of the offspring between two parents based on their alleles. Bb B BB Brown Eyes Bb Brown Eyes b bB Brown Eyes Bb Blue Eyes Parent 1 Parent 2

BB B b Parent 1

BB B BB Brown Eyes BB Brown Eyes b bB Brown Eyes BB Brown Eyes Parent 1 Parent 2

Bb b b Parent 1 Parent 2

Bb b bB Brown Eyes bb Blue Eyes b bB Brown Eyes bb Blue Eyes Parent 1 Parent 2

Bb B B Parent 1 Parent 2

Parent 1 Parent 2 Bb B BB Brown Eyes Bb Brown Eyes B BB Brown Eyes Bb Brown Eyes