GENETIC

GENETICS
Most sophisticated creatures contain diploid cells. Diploid cells have two chromosomal sets, one

from each parent. Human cells, for example, contain a double set of chromosomes made up of 23

pairs, for a total of 46 chromosomes. Each trait is encoded by two genes in a diploid cell. The

diploid number of chromosomes is decreased to a haploid number in preparation for sexual

reproduction. In other words, diploid cells are reduced to cells with a single pair of

chromosomes. These haploid cells are gametes, or sex cells, generated by meiosis. The diploid

state is restored when gametes combine in sexual reproduction.

Sexually reproduced children inherit one gene of each kind from each parent. Alleles are the

many versions of a gene. For example, there are two alleles for earlobe formation in humans.

One allele is associated with connected earlobes, whereas the other allele is associated with free-

hanging earlobes. The alleles inherited from the parents define the type of earlobe a person

possesses.

The genome is the collection of all genes that dictate an organism's features. A human cell's

genome has around 20,000 genes. The genotype of a biological entity is its gene makeup. The

genotype for a person's earlobe shape might be two alleles for connected earlobes, two alleles for

free earlobes, or one allele for attached earlobes and one allele for free earlobes.

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