Scribd
Upload
3 views

Ch 7 genes and inheritance

Chapter 7 discusses the structure and function of DNA, chromosomes, and genes, highlighting the role of gametes in human reproduction. It explains the process of fertilization, the determination of sex chromosomes, and the concepts of haploid and diploid cells. Additionally, it covers the processes of mitosis and meiosis, emphasizing their significance in cell division and genetic variation.

Uploaded by

rudrakshimathur2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views

Ch 7 genes and inheritance

Chapter 7 discusses the structure and function of DNA, chromosomes, and genes, highlighting the role of gametes in human reproduction. It explains the process of fertilization, the determination of sex chromosomes, and the concepts of haploid and diploid cells. Additionally, it covers the processes of mitosis and meiosis, emphasizing their significance in cell division and genetic variation.

Uploaded by

rudrakshimathur2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Chapter 7

Genes and inheritance

• DNA
• CHROMOSOME are made of a chemical substance called DNA
• GENES are also made of DNA
• A DNA molecule has a shape like a TWISTED LADDER
• GAMETES
• human body cells contain 46 CHROMOSOME
• SPERM CELLS AND EGG CELLS are cells known as GAMETES
• this cell was formed when a sperm cell join with an egg cell
• SPERM CELL is known as MALE GAMETE
• EGG CELL is a FEMALE GAMETE
• Egg cells are BIGGER than sperm cells
• FERTILISATION
• The joining of a sperm cell with an egg cell is called FERTILISATION
• The new cell that is formed when a sperm and egg cell join together is
called a ZYGOTE
• SEX CHROMOSOME
• IT tells the gender
• A person with XX chromosome is a FEMALE
• A person with XY chromosome is a MALE
• Y chromosome is SMALLER THAN X chromosome
• EGG CELLS contain X chromosome
• GAMETES only have ONE SET OF CHROMOSOME
• CHROMOSOME
• Chromosomes are located in the nucleus of cells
• They are thread-like structures made of DNA, carrying genetic
information in the form of genes
• GENE
• A gene is a short length of DNA found on a chromosome that codes for
a specific protein
• This could be a structural protein such as collagen found in skin
cells, an enzyme or a hormone
• Genes can exist in alternative forms and these are known as alleles
• ALLELES
• Alleles give all organisms their characteristics
• For example we have a gene for eye colour and the different alleles
might be blue, green and brown.

XX & XY Chromosomes
• Sex (male or female) is determined by an entire chromosome pair (as
opposed to most other characteristics that are just
determined by one or several genes)
• Biological females have the sex chromosomes XX
• Biological males have the sex chromosomes XY
• Only a biological male can pass on a Y chromosome, he is therefore
responsible for determining the sex of the child
• He does this because
• He produces (during ejaculation) around 250 million sperm cells
during sexual intercourse
o Of those, half (125 million sperm)
will be carrying his X
chromosome
• If one of these fertilises the egg (X chromosome) this will result in a male (XY)
fetus



Extended Tier Only


Haploid and Diploid Cells
• All humans have 23 different chromosomes in each cell
• In most body cells, not including the gametes (sex cells), we have 2
copies of each chromosome, leading to a total of 46 chromosomes
• DIPLOID
• Nuclei with two sets of chromosomes are known as diploid nuclei
• The gametes (egg and sperm cells) only have one copy of each
chromosome, meaning they have a total of 23 chromosomes in each cell
• HAPLOID
• Nuclei with one set of unpaired chromosomes are known as haploid
nuclei


• Most body cells have two copies of each chromosome


• We describe these cells as diploid
• When cells divide, the replication of chromosomes happens beforehand
where chromosome numbers are doubled
• This ensures that when the cell divides in two, each new cell still
has two copies of each chromosome (is still diploid)
• MITOSIS
• This type of cell division is known as mitosis and is used for:
• growth
• repair of damaged tissues
• replacement of cells
• asexual reproduction
• Mitosis is defined as:

Nuclear division giving rise to genetically identical cells

• MEIOSIS
• Meiosis is a type of nuclear division that gives rise to cells that
are genetically different
• It is used to produce the gametes (sex cells)
• The number of chromosomes must be halved when the gametes (sex cells)
are formed, it is therefore known as reduction division
• Halving the number of chromosomes ensures there is not double the
number of chromosomes aftergametes join at fertilisation
• The chromosome numberis therefore halved from diploid to haploid,
• Meiosis results in four genetically different cells

• VARIATION
• The difference between

You might also like