UNIT18-

INHERITANCE
18.1: CHROMOSOMES
List three traits you share with your :

Father Mother

Why are you similar to them?

What are traits?
Traits
Traits are observable characteristics that are passed
from parent to child.
These include ;Eye colour, Hair texture, Tongue rolling,
Attached /free ear lobe, Colour of coat, blood group etc.
An individual will have many traits in common with
others and more so with siblings and parents.
An individual’s overall combination of traits makes them
unique.
Some traits are more common in a population than
others. – Example : - length of fur hair in different
climatic zones.
An equal number of traits are passed from each parent.
What is Inheritance ?
Inheritance means
Transmission of traits from one generation to another.
The study of Inheritance is called Genetics.
 Genetic Terminology

Trait - any characteristic that can

be passed from parent to offspring
Heredity - passing of traits from
parent to offspring
Genetics - study of heredity
Chromosomes and Genes:
The part of the nucleus that is
responsible for inheritance.
It is a bundle of DNA wrapped around
proteins called histones..
DNA stands for the molecule
Deoxyribonucleic acid.
Lengths of DNA on a Genes A
chromosome that make the B
protein for a particular trait are C Chromosome
called genes.
The nucleus
The nucleus of the cell,
containing all of the genetic
material. This material is
inherited from the parents.
The nucleus

The nucleus contains

chromosomes – in normal
human cells, there are 23
pairs of chromosomes. Each
chromosome is made up of a
very special molecule called
DNA.
The nucleus

The nucleus contains

chromosomes – in normal
human cells, there are 23
pairs of chromosomes. Each
chromosome is made up of a
very special molecule called
DNA.

DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic

acid, but at this stage just stick
with the initials DNA!
 The nucleus
Here is an individual
chromosome . Inside, the
double helix of DNA can
be clearly seen.
Chromosomes, genes and DNA

chromosome

Chromosomes are
strands of DNA
wrapped around proteins called histones
found in the nucleus of the cell
and are made of sections called genes.
 Chromosomes, genes and DNA

Individual sections of a chromosome are called

genes. Each gene ( a short section of DNA)
codes for a particular protein, which may control
particular characteristics, such as eye colour.
Each chromosome may contain thousands of
genes.
Structure of a chromosome before
cell division
 Homologous
chromosomes
Every human cell has two set of 23
chromosomes one obtained from the
father- and the other set from
mother.
So humans have 23 pairs of
chromosomes.
Each pair is called a homologous
pair.
The homologues are of the same
size and shape and have the same
sequence of genes on them.
.
In Males, the sex chromosomes are XY;
In Females the sex chromosomes are XX.
 Genetic Terminology
Chromosome- strands of DNA coiled around proteins
called histones – found in nuclei, made of sections
called genes that carry genetic information.
Genes – section of chromosome that code for a
particular trait.
Homologous chromosomes- a pair of chromosomes
that are identical in shape and size and carry alleles
of the same genes at the same loci; one of the pair
is got from father and the second from mother.Each
of the member of the pair is called a homologue
Autosomes: Homologous pairs that do not influence
the gender of the individual but decide other traits.(
first 22 pairs in humans)
Sex Chromosomes: The pair of homologues( 23rd in
humans) that decide the gender of the organism.
( In humans: Male = XY; female= XX)
 Alleles
Let’s just
recap a
second!
 Alleles
Let’s just
recap a
second!
Genes control
specific
characteristics,
such as eye
colour
 Alleles
There are How many different
different forms eye colours are
of the same gene,
there?
all coding for
different eye
colours. Blue

These different
forms of the same Haze brow
gene are called l n

alleles.
So there are alleles for blue Grey
eyes, brown eyes, etc.
 Analogy

A cassette is a large
bundle of tape
containing many
tracks.
It is like a…
chromosome

Tape:
-it is used to record One song or track on
the tape is like a…
information
- it is like…
gene

DNA

B b
Different versions of the same song
are like… alleles
Let’s recap ….
– identify the
1 term
Part offrom its description
the nucleus given below:
that is responsible for inheritance

2 Section of chromosomes, having a number of DNA

molecules that code for a particular trait.

3 Molecules of which chromosomes are made

4 Study of inheritance

5 A visible characteristic in an organism.

6 Pairs of chromosomes having identical shape and size,

and the same sequence of genes on them

7 Protein around which DNA is wrapped.

8 The cell organelle responsible for inheritance.

9 `Alternate versions of the same gene

Check your answers..
1 chromosome Part of the nucleus that is responsible for
inheritance
2 Gene Section of chromosomes, having a number of
DNA molecules that code for a particular trait.
3 DNA Molecules of which chromosomes are made
4 Genetics Study of inheritance
5 Trait A visible characteristic in an orgainsm.
6 Homologues Pairs of chromosomes having identical shape
and size, and the same sequence of genes on
them
7 Histones Protein around which DNA is wrapped.
8 Nucleus The cell organelle responsible for inheritance.
9 Allele Alternate versions of the same gene