1.2.1 Chromosones

Where is genetic information found in a cell?

Genetic information is found in the nucleus in the form of chromosomes.

What are chromosomes made of?

Chromosomes are made of coils of DNA.

What is a gene?

A gene is a short section of DNA that codes for a protein and controls a characteristic.

How many pairs of chromosomes are in each human body cell?

There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in each body cell, making 46 chromosomes in total.

How are chromosomes inherited?

You inherit one chromosome from each pair from your mother and the other from your father.

How many chromosomes are in a human gamete?

Human gametes contain 23 chromosomes in total, half the number found in body cells.

Why do gametes have half the number of chromosomes?

Gametes have half the number so that when fertilisation occurs, the zygote has the full number of chromosomes.