Inherited characteristics

 When you look at different generations of the same species you see that they
have a large number of same characteristics.

 It appears that the characteristics are passed on from one generation to the
next.

 The latest generation has inherited its characteristics from the generation
before.

 Gregor Mendel (1822- 1884) was an Austrian monk set up experiments to

investigate how features in one generation of pea plants were passed on to the
next.

 Hugo de vries, a Dutch botanist also studied about the inherited characterisitcs.
DNA,GENES AND CHROMOSOMES
 Cells and
reproduction
 Nucleoplasm
It is a highly gelatinous, sticky liquid that supports the
chromosomes and nucleoli. A soluble, fluid component of the
nucleoplasm is called the nuclear hyaloplasm. The main function of
the nucleoplasm is to serve as a suspension substance for the
organelles inside the nucleus.

Nucleolus
The nucleolus is a round body located inside the nucleus
of a eukaryotic cell. It is not surrounded by a membrane
but sits in the nucleus. The nucleolus makes ribosomal
subunits from proteins and ribosomal RNA, also known as
rRNA.
 In the time before cell division begins, chromosomes are not visible under the
microscope.
 Each one has made a copy of itself, and the chromosome and its copy lie together as
two threads.
 During cell division, as the nucleus divides, each pair of threads separates.

 Each thread then enters one of the two nuclei that are forming in the new cells.

 Once each cell is formed, every thread becomes a chromosome.

 The nuclei of the new cells have the same number of chromosomes as the original
one.
Chromosomes and genes
 Extensive studies on chromosomes have shown that they are arranged in pairs in the
nucleus.

 Individuals in each species have certain number of chromosomes in their cell

nuclei.

 Example:

Humans have 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs in every nucleus.

A fruit fly has 8 chromosomes arranged in 4 pairs.

 The chromosomes are really threads of messages.

 The messages are strung along each chromosome like the carriages in a very long
train. Each message is called a gene.

 The genes provide all the information for how the cell grows, develops and behaves
and how the body grows and develops too.

 Each pair of chromosomes has pair of genes that carry information for a particular
characteristics (eye color or hair color)

 These genes are situated at the same point on each chromosome.

Chromosomes and gametes

 Once the link between chromosomes and the reproduction of body cells had been
worked out, scientists looked for a link between chromosomes and the cells
involved in reproduction of whole individuals.
 These cells are called sex cells or gametes.

 In animals: Male gamete – sperm

Female gamete – egg /ovum

 In plants: Male gamete is a cell enclosed in a pollen grain

Female gamete – egg cell in the ovule

During fertilization male and female gamete fuse together and form a zygote(cell)and
it will grow into a new individual.
 Genes and variation
 During the formation of the gametes, parts of the chromosomes swap portions.

 The swapping leads to a mixing up of the genes so an exact copy of the parent’s
genetic code is not passed on.

 When a zygote is formed, the nucleus contains all the genes needed to make the
new individual.

 As there has been some mixing of the genes from both parents, the new individual
develops a slightly different combination of features from their parents.

 This leads to variation in the species.

How genes work together
How do genes work to keep cells alive in organisms?

 Chromosomes contain all the genes to make the body and keep it alive.

 After the formation of zygote, cells divide to form an embryo and foetus, all the genes in
their nuclei are not used or switched on at once.

 When it is time for an organ to develop, the genes that control its development switch on
and cells that re produced make the organ.

 Other genes also present on the chromosomes but controlling the development of other
organs do not switch on in these cells.

 Example: In the production of the windpipe or trachea the genes of some cells will switch
on to make ciliated epithelial cells.
Identify similarity and differences in the features for generation
1,2,3,4,and 5