1. Genetic Processes
Unit 2

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

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

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

5. 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

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

7. Chromosomes
different organisms have different types and numbers of chromosomes

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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