Introduction
Whether we become tall, short, have more than 5 fingers, or attached earlobes, is all built on the foundation in our DNA. This deoxyribonucleic acid is built of polymers of nucleic acids.1
Pursuing this further, specific sequences of these nucleic acids produce genes, a unit of heredity transferred from parent to offspring, and alleles, different types of the same gene. These alleles and genes in turn creates each and every one of our traits, whether morphological, physiological, or behavioral. All traits inevitably combine to create a complete set of genetic material, also known as the organism’s genome. 2
The genome in turn creates the organism’s genotype and phenotype. A genotype is simply the genetic makeup of the organism, while the phenotype is the physical and observable expression of this genetic makeup.1 This genotype of organisms can be passed on through mitosis, an asexual process to duplicate and create genetically identical offspring, as well as meiosis, a sexual reproduction that utilizes both male and female parents to increase genetic variation in offspring.1 Most animals reproduce through utilizing meiosis, and there have been several findings to even predict an offspring’s genotype through its parents.
The environment has been found to also affect several genes significantly as well. There have been many findings that show the adaptation of genes, its effects on different organisms, and even genetic variation. For example, the D. melanogaster
A Matching—Nucleotides: DNA and RNA 1. A 2. F 3. D 4. C 5.
Environment can influence some personality traits, while others are genetic. The nature theory, heredity, determines such traits as eye and hair color, due to specific genes passed down from generation to generation. With the emergence of scientific studies of DNA, many scientists are finding more traits can also be associated with human cell encoding, such as intelligence, personality, aggression,
In UNIT 7 you learned about the basics structure as well as the basic functions of deoxyribonucleic acid. You learned that deoxyribonucleic acid carries an “instruction manuel” to produce proteins that are responsible for passing traits from your parents to you. As you demonstrated in the previous activity, deoxyribonucleic acid is made of four nucleotides base pairs: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. They are often abbreviated as A, T, C, and G. The uniqueness of deoxyribonucleic acid is not particularly in just these 4 subunits, but how they are arranged. In this activity you will recreate protein synthesis.
Genetics can help answer questions about our traits and why we look different and advance in different ways from each other in the world. Chapter 1 explains the basics about how genes work, and the portrayal of DNA and RNA. Chapter 2 describes RNA more in detail and it consist of the explanation of the human genome. Specifically, Chapter 3 clarifies how evolution works and how it relates to genetic and medical research. Furthermore, Chapter 4 and 5 explains the knowledge researchers have about genes role in health and diseases, and how society is affected with the advances in medicine and science given approximate credit to these researchers.
It has been noted that neither nature nor nurture can on their own provide complete explanation. All characteristics are product of nature and nurture.
Genes come in different varieties, called alleles. Somatic cells contain two alleles for every gene, with one allele provided by each parent of an organism. Genotype refers to the information contained in an organisms DNA, or genetic material. Its phenotype is the physical
Physical development of the human begins at conception when the egg is fertilized by the sperm. Once the ovum is fertilized, the process of mitosis begins, allowing the cells to split and form the human being. Through this process, each parent contributes 23 chromosomes, which are present in every cell of our bodies, and are made up of DNA and genes (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). The genes that we inherit from our parents determine our physical features, such as hair and eye color, and height. Furthermore, the combination of various genes within the body at the time of conception may result in the individual carrying unexpected traits and illnesses (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).
Not all heritable traits are going to be given to the offspring. Inheritable traits are traits later learned in life. Genetic tools such as Punnett squares, and pedigrees can help us determine the heritable genes. Some genes can skip an offspring and go to the next. It's normal to have different features from your parents but the same as your grandparents. Genetics are very important to learn and to know about.
trait by other genes or the environment) is the rule rather than the exception” (pp. 23).
Gene – the unit or heredity occupying a particular location on the chromosome and passed on to offspring
Furthermore, DNA is found in large quantities within the eukaryotic cell. Human cells alone have around 1000 times more DNA than typical bacteria [Alberts, c1989, p.23]. DNA, both on its own and with other molecules, plays a huge role in the making of an organism, from the importance of its chiral helical structure and its main functions, to the vast vicinity of error and inaccuracy that a small change to the genomic sequence can cause. It is the foundation upon which an organism is built and the main contributor to an organisms genotype and phenotype. But what are the constituents of DNA and can it
Genes is the physical and functional unit of heredity which are made up of DNA. It carries the information of that determines traits that are passed on by the parents. There are two copies of genes which comes from each parents which is to be exact twenty chromosome from each parent to make up forty six chromosome in a baby. As by the
Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA as it is most commonly known, is a strand of molecules found within the cell nucleus of all living things. It is called a “genetic fingerprint” because each is different to the other and everyone, apart from identical twins, have
Due to the DNA’s specificity, samples can be utilised for identification. DNA is a nucleic acid composed of deoxyribose sugar bound to a phosphate group and one of four nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine). Each section of these three components are referred to as nucleotides, which are joined to the phosphate or sugar of another nucleotide by strong covalent bonds to form a backbone. The nitrogenous bases are joined to complimentary bases of another nucleotide (adenine with thymine, guanine with cytosine) to create a double stranded molecule (Figure 2). To complete the double helical structure, the molecule coils to compact it’s contents. DNA molecules can contain up to two million base pairs, with a human genome containing approximately 3 million base pairs. The random assortment of nitrogenous bases as well as the numerous mutations within certain DNA sequences, results in genetically diverese DNA molecules and genomes between individials.
Human character and behaviour are not only shaped by the genes that encompass the individual’s genotype. Human character comprising mainly of personality, sexuality, morality and intelligence are the products of genetic determinism as well as external environmental factors. “Single genes can have surprisingly strong influences on particular aspects of behaviour.” (Frank., 2009)