Chapter 3

From Parents to
Young

 Children resemble their parents in

many ways.
For example, children have
similar traits as their parents (hair
and eye colour, facial features,
etc).
That is because children inherit
these traits from their parents.

KEY WORDS :
CHARACTERISTICS
TRAITS
Characteristics/Traits are
passed from
parents to young.

 These traits are passed down

from parents to children
through structures called
genes.
The passing down of genes
from parents to their young is
the basis of inheritance.
It is hereditary.

 Genes and chromosomes

A gene is a part of a structure called
chromosome.

Inside the Cell Nucleus

one chromosome

chromosomes
cell nucleus

3.1

uncoiled
strand of
DNA from
one
chromosome

Chromosomes
Chromosomes are long DNA molecules
(DeoxyriboNucleic Acid) that are coiled up
and found in the cell nucleus the
information and control centre of the cell.

 Again, what is a cell nucleus?

A cell nucleus is the information and
control centre of the cell.
What does it do?
It stores information for:
cell processes (e.g. cell division, growth)
Traits/characteristics of the organism.
How is information for traits of an
organism stored?

 The information is stored in structures

called chromosomes which are found in
the nucleus of a cell.
Again, what are Chromosomes?
Chromosomes are long DNA
(Deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules that are
coiled up. Chromosomes carry the genetic
material that controls traits of an organism.

 Each type of organism has a different and

specific number of chromosomes in the cell
nucleus (e.g. humans have 23 pairs or 46
chromosomes).
Chromosomes occur in pairs, half of a pair
comes from the mother and the other half comes
from the father.
Each pair of chromosomes contains different
pairs of genes.
The function of genes is to control traits (e.g.
type of ear lobe, tongue rolling, dimples, etc.).
We have about

 30 000 genes in
our body!

Boy or Girl?

 You have at least a pair of genes for every trait

one from your father and one from your mother.
Certain genes are dominant. That means you
only need one of the pair to give you its trait.
So, if your father has dimples and your mother
doesnt, youll have dimples.
Certain genes are not dominant. (recessive)
That means you need both genes of the pair to
give you its trait.
So, both your parents must be colour blind
before you inherit colour-blindedness!

 Dimples: A person with dimples will have

little natural dents in the face to the right or
left of his/her mouth. One dimple qualifies
as having dimples.

 Attached Ear Lobes: Attached ear lobes

attach directly to the side of a head, while
unattached ear lobes hang free.
Unattached ear lobes is a dominant trait.

Attached Ear Lobe

Detached Ear Lobe

3.2

 Tongue Rolling: Tongue rolling has

generally been accepted as a dominant
trait.
See Textbook Pg 34

 Bent Little Finger:

Look at the little finger
on each hand. If they
bend in toward the
ring finger, you have a
dominant trait.

Straight Hairline: A person with a straight

hairline will have hair that goes straight
across the forehead. If the hair comes to a
point in the centre of the hairline and gives it
a little V shape, it is called a widow's peak
and represents the opposite trait of the
straight hairline. Widows peak is a dominant
trait.

 Double Jointed Thumb: If you have

double jointed thumbs, you have a
dominant trait.

 Freckles: If you have freckles, then you

have a dominant trait.

Recording traits Family trees: A

family tree or pedigree is used in
genetics to show how a trait or gene is
inherited in a family.

In this type of family tree, symbols

represent each person and lines
represent how family members are
related to one another.

 males are represented by squares and females

are represented by circles.
A line joining a male and female represents that
this is a married couple; and a line coming from
that line represents their children:

father
indicates married
mother

girl
indicates they have a daughter
each generation is represented by a horizontal
layer.

Why draw Family Trees?

Family trees are drawn to record
genealogy or family history of hereditary
diseases.
The information is useful for early
diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of
these hereditary diseases.

Fun at Computer Lab!

References:
A good website which covers basics in genetics:
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/basics/tour/
This site gives a flash presentation on DNA,
genes and inheritance.
http://www.genetics.com.au/genetics/resource/fh
tg.html
It gives details of symbols for drawing family
trees.

More Good Websites .

visit this interactive site on traits called "The
gene machine":
http://www.sonic.net/~nbs/projects/bio115l/