Heredity the Passing of Traits from Parents to Offspring

Heredity – the passing of traits from parents to offspring.

Genetics – the study of heredity

DNA – cellular material with all the information about what traits a living thing may have

Chromosome – thread like structures that organize DNA, each chromosome is a long DNA molecule (about 1.5 meters!)

Gene – part of the DNA molecule that carries a specific trait (composed of 2 alleles) (ex. flower color)

Allele – location on a chromosome that affect characteristics of organisms (ex. white or purple)

Mitosis – division of the nucleus in somatic (body) cells

Meiosis – cell division that results in the production of sex cells; egg and sperm that have half the number of usual chromosomes

Inherited trait – a trait (characteristic) that is passed on from a parent to offspring

Dominant trait – a ‘stronger’ trait (only need one allele with this trait for it to be passed to offspring)

Recessive trait – a ‘weaker’ trait ( you need two alleles with this trait for it to be passed on to offspring