Inherited Traits

Heredity

Heredity is the transfer of traits from one generation to another generation.

Gregor Mendel

• Gregor Mendel is the father of genetics.
• Gregor Mendel discovered the basic principles of heredity through experiments with pea plants.

Inherited Traits

Inherited traits are characteristics or features of one organism that are inherited.

Dominant Traits

• Dominant traits are traits that hide other traits when passed on to offspring.
• Dominant traits show its specific trait even if only one parent passes the gene.
• When a child inherits a dominant brown hair gene the child will have brown hair.

Recessive Traits

• Recessive traits are traits that get hidden by dominant traits.
• Recessive traits show it’s specific trait when both parents pass the gene to offspring.
• When a child inherits a recessive blue eye gene from both parents the child will have blue eyes.

How are traits passed?

• Traits are passed from parent to offspring when organisms reproduce.
• The passing down of traits begins in the cells.
• Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things.
• Cells contain the body’s heredity material and can make copies of themselves.

Nucleus

• The nucleus is a small egg-shaped structure inside the cell.

• The nucleus acts like the brain of the cell.

• The nucleus contains the chromosomes and genes.

• The nucleus stores the cells heredity material or DNA.

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Chromosomes

• Chromosomes are thread like structures found in the nucleus of a cell that contains all DNA.
• Each chromosome is made of protein and a single molecule of DNA.
• Chromosomes come in sets of 2 (or pairs)
• Human cells contain 46 chromosomes or 23 pairs.
• Half of these chromosomes come from one parent and half come from the other parent.

DNA

• DNA is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for all living organisms.
• DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid.
• DNA contains the specific instructions that make each type of living creature unique.
• DNA determines how the cells in a body function.

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Genes

• Genes determine traits.
• Genes are a segment of DNA on a chromosome with instructions for one trait.
• Genes come in pairs.
• Each parent has two copies of each gene.
• Each parent passes along one copy to make up the genes of the offspring.

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1. Cells contain the nucleus.
2. The nucleus contains the chromosomes.
3. The chromosomes contain the DNA.
4. DNA contains the genes.

Acquired Traits

• Acquired traits are not passed down to offspring genetically.
• Acquired traits are learned traits.
• Acquired traits are the product of the environments influence on the organism.

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