Heredity
Heredity
Heredity (pronunciation: /hɪˈrɛdɪti/), from the Latin word hereditas meaning "condition of being an heir", is the process where genetic information is passed from parents to their offspring. This is the principle means by which the characteristics of organisms are determined.
Overview
Heredity is a key concept in genetics, the study of inherited traits. The units of heredity are called genes, which are segments of DNA that code for specific proteins. These proteins determine the physical and functional traits of an organism, such as eye color, blood type, and susceptibility to certain diseases.
Mechanisms
The primary mechanism of heredity is the replication of DNA during cell division. This process ensures that each new cell receives a complete set of genetic information from the parent cell. Errors in DNA replication can lead to mutations, which can alter an organism's traits and potentially be passed on to future generations.
Inheritance Patterns
There are several patterns of inheritance, including dominant and recessive traits, codominance, and sex-linked traits. These patterns describe how traits are passed from parents to offspring and can help predict the likelihood of an individual inheriting a particular trait.
Genetic Disorders
Some traits that are passed on through heredity can lead to genetic disorders. These can be caused by mutations in a single gene, such as in cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia, or by abnormalities in the number or structure of chromosomes, such as in Down syndrome.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Heredity
- Wikipedia's article - Heredity
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