MODIFIED MASTERINGBIO.STAND-ALONE CODE
MODIFIED MASTERINGBIO.STAND-ALONE CODE
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9781323199633
Author: Pearson
Publisher: PEARSON C
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Chapter 13, Problem 13.1CR

Explain why human offifuing resemble their parents but are not identical to them.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To explain: Why human offspring are similar to their parents but they are not identical to them.

Introduction: Heredity is the process of the transmission of traits or heritable information to the next generation in the form of DNA. Humans reproduce sexually. During sexual reproduction, the genetic information from both the parents gives a unique gene combination in the offspring. The offspring resemble their parents but are somewhat different in their genetic makeup, which explains the genetic variation.

Explanation of Solution

Humans undergo sexual reproduction and inherit one chromosome of each homologous pair of chromosomes from each parent. Each somatic cell in humans consists of 46 chromosomes, which are two sets of 23 chromosomes each (maternal and paternal set).

During sexual reproduction, most of the variation arises during fertilization and meiosis. During meiosis, the homologous chromosomes randomly align with their homologs at metaphase I. According to the law of independent assortment of chromosomes, each daughter cell shows either maternal or paternal chromosome combinations. Thus, there is a 50% chance that the offspring gets maternal or paternal chromosomes or a combination of both. Secondly, crossing over forms the recombinant chromosomes that consist of a unique combination of genes in the offspring. The next aspect is random fertilization, which could be between any male gamete and female gamete. These factors relate to the fact that the offspring resemble their parents but are not exactly identical.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
What biological mechanisms account for the resemblance between offspring and their parents? Exmpain step by step in your own words.
Why is a baby elephant considered an expensive offspring?
Explain why the erasure phase of imprinting is necessaryin eggs.
Knowledge Booster
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
  • Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...
    Biology
    ISBN:9781305251052
    Author:Michael Cummings
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...
    Biology
    ISBN:9781305117396
    Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
  • Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...
    Biology
    ISBN:9781305251052
    Author:Michael Cummings
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...
    Biology
    ISBN:9781305117396
    Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa Starr
    Publisher:Cengage Learning
    Mitochondrial mutations; Author: Useful Genetics;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvgXe-3RJeU;License: CC-BY