Heredity

Cards (14)

  • Heredity
    The transmission of traits from one generation to the next
  • Genetics
    The study of heredity and hereditary variation
  • Traits
    • Passed from parent to offspring through genes
    • Segments of DNA that code for basic units of heredity
  • Offspring acquire genes from parents
    In inheriting chromosomes
  • Asexual reproduction

    Single individual, no fusion of gametes, clones are exact copies of parent, mutations are only source of variation
  • Sexual reproduction

    Two parents, offspring are unique combination of genes from parents, genetically varied from parents and siblings, always unique and different
  • Homologous chromosomes

    A pair of chromosomes of the same size, length, centromere position, carrying the same genetic information
  • One homologous chromosome is inherited from mom and one is inherited from dad
  • Karyotypes
    • A display of chromosome pairs ordered by size and length
    • Difficult to see sister chromatids in each pair
  • Somatic (body) cells

    Diploid, or 2n: two complete sets of each chromosome
  • Gametic (sex) cells

    Haploid, or n: one set of each chromosome
  • Eukaryotes
    • Have DNA packaged in chromosomes
    • Two types of chromosomes: autosomes and sex chromosomes
  • Life cycle

    1. Sequence of stages in the reproductive history of an organism from conception to its own reproduction
    2. Fertilization and meiosis alternate in sexual life cycles
  • Fertilization is when a sperm cell (haploid) fuses with an egg (haploid) to form a zygote (diploid)