GENES AND
INHERITANCE
BIOLOGY CHECKPOINT 2
Kalam Kudus Christian School International Program
A.Y. 2023 / 2024
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
The nucleus of a cell contains a number of long threads called
chromosomes.
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Chromosomes are too thin to be seen except with an electron
microscope. They only become visible with a light microscope when a
cell is dividing.
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Chromosomes
under a light
microscope
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Chromosomes
under a scanning
electron microscope
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Human hromosomes
(male) under a
scanning electron
microscope
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Different species of organism have different numbers of
chromosomes.
Human cells have
46 chromosomes
(23 pairs)
Chromosomes,
genes and
DNA
Chromosomes,
genes and
DNA
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Fruit fly (Drosophila) cells have
8 chromosomes
(4 pairs)
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Papaya tree cells have
18 chromosomes
(9 pairs)
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Chromosomes are
numbered according to
how long the
chromosomes are.
The longest
chromosome is
chromosome 1, the next
longest is chromosome 2,
and so on.
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Each chromosome is made up of hundreds of different genes. The
genes are arranged in a particular sequence along the chromosome.
Different genes determine different traits or characteristics.
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Two genes on chromosome 15 determine eye colour. Everyone has genes for eye
colour in the same place on their chromosome 15.
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
There are different versions of the genes.
So one person could have a chromosome 15 with eye colour genes that give them blue eyes, and
another could have a chromosome 15 with eye colour genes that give them brown eyes.
Chromosomes,
genes and DNA
Chromosomes,
genes and DNA
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Chromosomes are made of a chemical substance called DNA (Deoxyribonucleic
Acid). This means that genes are also made of DNA.
DNA molecule has a shape like twisted
ladder DOUBLE HELIX.
The DNA in a cell determines what the cell does.
It contains a complete set of instructions to make
a functioning cell, and a whole organism.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
DNA molecule is made of two long strands, each
with
.
a series of bases arranged along it.
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
Chromosomes, genes and DNA
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Chromosomes, genes and DNA
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To detect the DNA sequences, we need a PCR-machine
(thermocycler).
Gametes and inheritance
Gametes and inheritance
Every human being began a
life as a single cell.
a sperm cell an egg cell
a male gamete a female gamete
Sperm cells and egg cells are specialised cells known
as gametes.
Gametes and inheritance
Gametes and inheritance
diagram of a human sperm cell
diagram of a human egg cell
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Gametes and inheritance
Human cells each have 46 chromosomes. They have two sets, each set containing
23 chromosomes.
Gametes have only one set of chromosomes.
When a sperm cell joins with an egg cell, the new cell that is produced has two sets (46
chromosomes).
The joining of a sperm cell with an egg cell is
called fertilisation.
The new cell that is formed when the nucleus
of a sperm cell an the egg cell join together is
called a zygote.
Gametes and inheritance
Boy or girl?
All of the chromosomes in the cells of a human
body come from the person’s mother and father:
- One set from the mother
- One set from the father
The chromosomes which determine whether a person is male or female are called
sex chromosomes.
X chromosome Y chromosome
Gametes and inheritance
Boy or girl?
A person with two X A person with one X
chromosomes (XX) is female chromosome and Y
chromosome (XY) is male
Inheritance means passing
on DNA (as chromosomes
containing genes) from parents
to offspring.
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