MadSci Network: Genetics
Query:

Re: how are traits passed from parents to off-spring?

Date: Tue Jul 26 08:45:05 2005
Posted By: Jonathan Bertin, Grad student, chemistry/biochemistry, university of moncton
Area of science: Genetics
ID: 1122232431.Ge
Message:

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes (DNA). Basically each chromosome is 
made up of small regions coding for a certain trait (ex: 
black hair). Alternate forms of traits are either recessive, dominant or
neutral. So if the mother gives a dominant gene form (X) to her offspring (ex:
for black hair)and the father gives a recessive gene form (x)for blonde hair,
then the offspring will be Xx at this trait. Because X is dominant to x, this
means the offspring will express the X version of the trait (black hair), not
the x version (blonde hair).  If the combination xx would occur then 
the offspring has a recessive trait x (blonde hair). 

ex: X dominant = black hair ; x recessive = blond hair 

XX = black hair
Xx = black hair
xx = blond hair


Now you might want to read about meiosis to understand how the male and 
woman only give 23 chromosome each to the offspring during the fertilization
process.




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