1. Chromosomes
-a chromosome is just a condensed structure of DNA (DNA condenses because it can be about 2 m long fitting in a tiny cell)
-pictured above is a chromosome duplicated for replication or reproduction; a chromatid is one half of a duplicated chromosome

2. Chromosomes
-many organisms’ traits are products of their parents’ genetics (or DNA): plants, animals, fungi, etc
-each parents’ genetic code is half of the entire offspring genetic code

3. Chromosomes
-a karyotype is the chromosomal makeup of an organism with a complete genetic code
-this means that most organisms do not contain one single strand of DNA as their genetic code, but several parts and each pair is made of a set of DNA from the mother and a set of DNA from the father

4. Karyotype Practice
Look carefully at the karyogram below and write down your observations. Then, write down why you think each chromosome was paired the way that it was (hint: there are at least 2 reasons).