BIOLOGY B-14 INHERITANCE

The nucleus is the control center of a cell which contains hereditary information, which
contains chromosomes. In humans there are 23 pairs of chromosomes, which means 46
chromosomes in total.

Each chromosome contains a very long coiled strand of DNA and is divided into short
sections of DNA called genes. There is about 1 meter of DNA in each human nucleus.

Genes are 'coded interactions' for making proteins and DNA is the chemical which stores the
coded instructions (genes is similar to a recipe in a cookbook and DNA is the cookbook
which stores different recipes). Cells are thread-like structures holding genes.

Gametes: 23 pairs of sperm & egg (contain half the normal chromosomes).
Fertilization: the number of the joining of sperm and egg, which is 46.

Variations are ways in which organisms differ from one another. The variation of organisms
is partly inherited (approximately 75%) and party influenced by the environment
(approximately 25%).

Continuous variation is variation without fixed values such as height, weight or shoe size.
All organisms of a species show characteristic to different extents. Continuous variation is the
combined effect of many genes (known as polygenic inheritance) and is often significantly
influenced by the environment. Milk yield in cows, for example, is determined not only by
their genetic make-up but is also significantly affected by environmental factors such as
pasture quality and diet, weather, and the comfort of their surroundings.

Discontinuous variation has fixed values/categories such as eye color or hair color. An
organism either has the characteristic or it doesn't. Blood groups are a good example: an
organism is either one blood group or another - it cannot be in between. Such data is called
discrete (or categorical) data.

Mutation is the change in the structure of a gene. Chromosomal mutations include down's
syndrome, where an individual has trisomy (= 3 copies) of chromosome 21; they therefore
have 47 chromosomes instead of 46. A gene mutation is a permanent change in the DNA
sequence that makes up a gene. Gene mutations occur in two ways: they can be inherited
from a parent (called hereditary or gremlin mutations) or acquired during a person's lifetime
(called acquired mutation). Since DNA replication is not perfect, with an error rate of about 1
in 1012 bases, we gradually acquire more of these during our lives.

Cystic fibrosis (also known as CF) is a common disease which affects the entire body,
causing progressive disability and often early death. Difficult breathing is the most serious
symptom and results from frequent lung infections that are treated, though not cured, by
antibiotics and other medicines. Other symptoms include sinus infections, poor growth and
diarrhea. Cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutation in the gene for the protein.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder, in which the body makes an abnormal form of
hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen). The disorder results in
excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia.
The most severe form of thalassemia major causes stillbirth (death of the unborn baby during
birth or the late stages of pregnancy). Children born with thalassemia major are normal at
birth, but develop severe anemia during the first year of life.
Other symptoms can include: Facial bone deformities, fatigue, growth failure, shortness of
breath and yellow skin (jaundice).

Pure breeding is when two organisms (animals) of the same kind are combined and produce
an offspring of the same kind.
Purpose: Produce animals with advantageous characteristics inherited from the parents. Used
to maintain, strengthen and improve the following generations and the inherent value of it.
Result: Each generation will be the same as the present one: large population, no migration -
either in (immigration) or out (emigration), there is random mating, no mutations occur, and
all genotypes are equally fertile.