CHAPTER 3

HEREDITY AND VARIATION

GENE, DNA and CHROMOSOME

1. Each human being has two sets of

chromosomes in a body cell one set of 23 chromosomes from the father and another set of 23 chromosomes from the mother. 2. A gene is a DNA unit and carries the inherited characteristics of a person. 3. Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA is genetic information in humans and almost all other organisms

4. Chromosomes are fine thread-like structure

present in the nuclei of plant cells and animal cells. 5. Chromosomes exist in pairs except in the reproductive cells. 6. The two chromosomes in a pair are identical or homologous

(chromatin)

CELL DIVISION
1. Cell division is the means by which the

body grows. 2. Cell division is divided into MITOSIS and MEIOSIS 3. Mitosis occurs in somatic cells while meiosis occurs during the formation of gametes (reproductive cells)

MITOSIS
Mitosis is the process by which a mature cell

divides into two new cells (daughter cells) Importance of the mitosis process;
1. Produces new cells for growth and to replace old or

damaged cells 2. Ensures the number of chromosomes in the daughter cell is the same as that of the parent cell.

MEIOSIS
Meiosis involves two stages of cell division.

The first stage halves the number of

chromosomes. The second stage is identical to the process of mitosis. Importance of meiosis process;
1. To produce gametes
2. Reduction in chromosome number 3. Allows variation among same species