Heredity (lesson one)

Question 1

what is a key feature of cell division?

Answer 1

A key feature of cell division is the passing of chromosomes from the parent to daughter cells

Question 2

heredity

Answer 2

• chromosomes carry information for traits
• Therefore through chromosomes traits are passed from parents to offspring
• This process is known as heredity

Question 3

Genetic Material

Answer 3

Genetic material is a term used to describe all the material in an organism that stores genetic information

Question 4

where is our genetic material stored?

Answer 4

In our chromosomes, our genetic material is stored as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Question 5

what is our DNA composed of?

Answer 5

DNA is composed of hundreds of thousands of chemical subunits that act as a set of chemical instructions for the cell

Question 6

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Answer 6

a molecule that carries genetic information in cells

Question 7

Genes

Answer 7

• Genes be defined as a portion of a DNA molecule that carries the information that helps to produce a particular trait of an organism
• Each gene occupies a specific location on a chromosome called a locus
• This means a typical chromosome can carry hundreds or thousands of different genes at different loci

Question 8

inheriting genetic material

Answer 8

• When we inherit traits from our parents, we are inheriting genetic material
• This information is contained in segments of our DNA called genes
• Different genes are all found at different loci on differen chromosomes

Question 9

do eukaryotic cells have chromosomes?

Answer 9

All eukaryotic cells have chromosomes, but not necessarily the same number, size or shape of chromosomes

Question 10

Chromosomes

Answer 10

• In most multicellular organisms, chromosomes occur in sets
• If there are 2 sets we call it a diploid cell
• If there are three or more sets we call it a polyploidy cell

Question 11

Reproduction

Answer 11

• Some organisms will only have a single parent, and this is called asexual reproduction
• Some organisms will have two parents, and this is called sexual reproduction

Question 12

Asexual Reproduction

Answer 12

• Asexual reproduction is a form of reproduction in which a new individual is produced from a single parent by cell division
• This almost always occurs via cell division or mitosis
  -This means both parents and offspring are genetically identical

Question 13

advantages to asexual reproduction

Answer 13

• Parent organisms do not have to seek out a mate
• Specialized mating behaviours are not required
• No specialized anatomy is required

Question 14

Sexual Reproduction

Answer 14

• Sexual reproduction is a form of reproduction in which individuals are produced from the fusion of two sex cells
• Sex cells usually come from two different parent organisms
• Offspring produced by sexual reproduction are genetically unique this is because they obtain half of their genetic material from each of their two parents

Question 15

disadvantages of sexual reproduction

Answer 15

• Specialized organs are required to produce the sex cells
• Specialized mating calls or bright colours to attract mates can also attract predators
• May require the loss of resources, like nectar in flowers
• The combining of genetic information may make the offspring weak and unable to survive

Question 16

advantages to sexual reproduction

Answer 16

• Individuals that rely on sexual reproduction can adapt to a changing environment, due to their genetic variability which is not possible in organisms that reproduce asexually
• This can support the long-term survival of a species