Exploring Heredity Graphic Organizer

Learning From the Fossil Record Grade 8 Science

Name: Caroline B. Date: 1/3/11

1. Go to the following website: http://www.amnh.org/ology/?channel=genetics&c#

2. Click on the following features:

“What’s the Big Idea about Genetics?”

“Explore the Evidence: What Makes You, You; What Makes Me, Me?”

3. Use these features to complete the graphic organizer/ answer the questions below.

DNA a. Genes are pieces of that make up chromosomes that are found

nucleus in each cell’s . These genes give use our traits. .

Each cell has genes in it. When you are in the cell you go to the nucleus. Once you are inside the nucleus, you then go to the chromosomes. We have 46 of them. Once you get their you have to go inside of the chromosomes, and then you see the DNA. (Deoxyribonucleic acid) Go inside the DNA, and there are small pieces of genes. These are the actual pieces that give you the trait.

 In each cell there are 46 exact copies of the chromosomes. But only certain cells read certain genes.  If anything other than the “norm” happens it can be explained from a disorder or disease. Learning From the Fossil Record Grade 8 Science

our parents b. Each cell in our body has the same genes because of but half

come from your mother and half come from your father . The

fact that we get our genes from them is called inheritance . So, for each trait we have,

get two genes through the process of specialization .

 Each cell in our body has the same genes because of cell division.  Father (sperm) Mother (egg)  The fact that we get our genes from them is call heredity.  The type of gene is always on the same chromosomes. But the type may be different. Ex. Eye color for dad may be blue, but for mom may be brown.  So, for each trait we have get, two genes through the process of reproduction. Learning From the Fossil Record Grade 8 Science

c. Each cell has the same genes (e.g., genes for eye color, hair color, dimples), but the trait is not the nucleus tells the cells which genes to read and use out of shown in every cell because . the traits.

 Each cell has the same genes (e.g., genes for eye color, hair color, dimples), but the trait is not shown in every cell because each cell reads only the genes relevant to it.  Example: Hair will read hair color.

5 For each trait we get two genes, one from our mother and one from our father. Learning From the Fossil Record Grade 8 Science