Define Genetics. What is the contribution of Mendel in the field of genetics?

Solution:
The branch of biology that deals with the study of heredity and variations is known as Genetics.
Gregor Johann Mendel was the first person to carry out experiments regarding the heredity of
certain characters from one generation to another in a scientific manner. He worked mainly on
the garden pea plant. His observations regarding the occurrence of contrasting characters in
various generations of garden pea led him to interpret that these are controlled by units which
he called, factors. These factors are today known as genes. He is also known as the Father of
Genetics.

Where are the genes located? What is the chemical nature of genes?
Solution:
Genes are segments of the DNA, which is wound compactly into chromosomes. A gene is
composed of a specific sequence of nucleotides. A nucleotide is made up of a nitrogenous
base, a sugar molecule and a phosphate group.

What happens if DNA copying is not perfectly accurate?

Answer:
If the DNA copying is not perfectly accurate it will produce variation in
the reproduction process.

Why is DNA copying necessary during reproduction?

Answer:
DNA copying is necessary during reproduction as DNA carries genetic information.
Therefore, for an organism to produce similar offsprings it is necessary to copy DNA.

What do you mean by the term speciation?

Answer:
The process by which new, distinct species develop from the existing species due to
genetic, behavioural or physical isolation is known as speciation.

What do you mean by dominant traits?

Answer:
The trait that gets expressed in the offspring by taking over the other inherited trait is
named as dominant trait.
Raghu often taunts his wife for having only daughters and no son. As a student of
biology how will you convince Raghu that his wife has no role in giving birth to girls
only ?

By telling Raghu that sex of the child is determined at the time of conception. Women
are homogametic, i.e., they produce only one type of ova (22 + X). Males are
heterogametic. They produce two types of sperms, Andros perms (22 + Y) and
gymnosperms (22 + X). The two types of sperms are formed in equal proportion. It is
chance factor that gymnosperm fuses with the ovum (22 + X and 22 + X) resulting in the
female child. The same chance is possible for the second and even the third time. In
any case, for the sex of the child, only the father is responsible.

What are genes and where they are located?

Answer Genes are part of DNA containing genetical details of the body, they are
located in the chromosomes.