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Genetics
and
Heredity
What is Genetics?
Genetics is the
study of genes and
heredity.
To understand genetics, we
need to start with…
CELLS
Living organisms are made up of cells.
Cells are made up of chromosomes.
Chromosomes are made up of tiny threads of
information called genes.
Genes contain the information that determine the
characteristics you receive from your parents or
your inherited traits . In other words, it is a section
of a chromosome that carries coded information.
Genes and Chromosomes
Genes and Chromosomes are made up of
a chemical substance called DNA.
The traits or characteristics you inherit, or
receive genetically from your parents or
ancestors are your DNA.
Organisms
Cells
Chromosomes
Genes
What is Heredity?
Heredity is the transmission or transfer of
genetic characteristics (genes) from parent to
offspring
Inherit-to receive from your parents or
grandparents, etc…
Most cells in the human body have 23 pairs of
chromosomes, making a total of 46.
You receive
half
of your
chromosomes
from your
mother.
You receive
half
of your
chromosomes
from your
father.
DNA is often described as the
blueprint of an organism
It allows various cells to develop and
work together to form a fully
functional body. It tells every cell
what its “job” is.
Inherited Traits
Heredity makes you the person
you are today: short or tall,
with black hair or blond, with
green eyes or blue. These
characteristics that are passed
on by your parents are called
inherited traits.
Learned Traits
Can your genes determine whether you'll be
a straight-A student or a great athlete?
No!! Heredity plays an important role, but
your environment (including things like the
foods you eat and the people you interact
with) also influences your abilities and
interests. These traits or characteristics that
your environment influences are called
learned traits.
There are TWO Types of Traits
Inherited Traits
• You inherit these from your
parents or grandparents
• For example, if both of your
parents have green eyes you
might inherit the trait of green
eyes from them.
• If your mom has freckles, you
might inherit and have a
freckled face.
• Genes aren't just in humans —
all animals and plants have
genes, too.
• Fur color is inherited.
Learned Traits
• These traits are influenced
by your surroundings or
environment.
• For example, being a good
athlete is a learned trait.
• The language your speak
and walking are
environmental traits.
• Hunting prey is a learned
trait.
Inherited or Learned (Environmental)
Trait
The Shape of Your Nose
Inherited or Learned (Environmental)
Trait
Ability to hit a baseball
Inherited or Learned (Environmental)
Trait
The type of music that you enjoy
Inherited or Learned (Environmental)
Trait
Spines on a cactus
Inherited or Learned (Environmental)
Trait
The shapes of leaves
Inherited or Learned (Environmental)
Trait
The shape of bird beaks
Inherited or Learned (Environmental)
Trait
The language you speak
Inherited or Learned (Environmental)
Trait
Animals not returning to eat flowers
that were bitter