1.2.13

Inheritance

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Inheritance

Parents pass on various characteristics through DNA to their offspring. This passing on of DNA is how children acquire their parent's characteristics. This passing on of DNA is called inheritance.

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Inheritance of characteristics

  • Characteristics are passed on from parent to offspring via their genes within their DNA.
  • Examples of characteristics that are passed down include:
    • Blood group
    • Eye colour
  • However sometimes genetic diseases are also passed through DNA.
  • Examples of some genetic diseases include:
    • Cystic fibrosis
    • Down syndrome
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DNA and chromosomes

  • There are 46 chromosomes in the nucleus of each cell in the human body.
    • These chromosomes are arranged into 23 pairs.
    • The only exceptions are the gametes (sperm and egg).
  • Chromosomes are small sections of DNA.
  • DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid.
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Genes

  • A gene is small section of a chromosome.
    • Genes are the instructions that code for a certain protein,
    • Alleles are small variations of genes.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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