Genetic Inheritance: Key Concepts and Relationships
This page introduces essential concepts in genetic inheritance, focusing on the relationships between cellular components and their roles in heredity. It covers key terms and provides a visual representation of how these elements interact within a cell.
Vocabulary: Gamete - A sex cell involved in reproduction.
The page begins by defining DNA as a large, complex polymer that determines an organism's characteristics. Each DNA molecule is unique to an individual.
Definition: Chromosomes are long threads of DNA contained inside a cell's nucleus, made up of many genes.
Genes are described as small sections of DNA that code for specific proteins. The text notes that some characteristics are controlled by a single gene, such as animal fur color or red-green color blindness in humans.
Vocabulary: Alleles - Different forms or versions of the same gene.
The relationship between the cell, nucleus, chromosomes, and genes is illustrated with a diagram. This visual aid helps to clarify the hierarchical structure of genetic material within a cell.
Highlight: Chromosomes are found in pairs in the nucleus of a body cell, with one chromosome inherited from each parent.
The page concludes by introducing the concept of genotype, defined as the collection of alleles that determine characteristics and can be expressed as a phenotype.
Example: The relationship between DNA, genes and chromosomes can be understood as follows: DNA makes up chromosomes, which contain genes, which in turn are composed of DNA sequences.
This overview provides a solid foundation for understanding genetic inheritance bbc Bitesize Combined Science, covering the essential components and their interrelationships in heredity.