Heredity and Genetics

“Why We Look the Way We Do”

 What is Heredity?

• Heredity = the passing on of

traits from one generation to
the next.
 What is a Trait?
A trait is a specific characteristic
that is unique.
Traits affect the way we look
Traits affect how our bodies
function
Traits are inherited
• Examples are hair color, eye color,
handedness, etc.
 What is Mendelian
Genetics?
• Gregor Mendel was an
Augustinian monk who lived in
the late 19th century and,
through studying peas,
developed the basis for the
science of Genetics still used
today.
 What Kinds of Traits Are There?

• Traits are either Dominant or

Recessive.
 Dominant Trait
A dominant trait is a trait that is
always expressed,
expressed or shown.
– Examples are brown hair, brown
eyes, right handed
 Recessive Trait
A recessive trait is a trait that is
covered up or seems to
disappear.
– Examples are blonde hair, blue
eyes, left handed
 Where Do Traits Come
From?

Factors that make up an individual

come from both parents.
The trait information is passed on
from generation to generation in
the form of genes.
 Where Do Genes Come
From?
• An individual needs 2 genes for
each trait – one gene from each
parent.
• This gene pair is called an allele.
allele
– One gene comes from the sperm cell
(from the Father)
– One gene comes from the egg cell
(from the Mother)