Heredity

• Passing of traits from parent to offspring.

What are traits?

• Traits are characteristics that you inherit.

• Can be easily observable like eye color or “invisible” like your blood type

What controls traits?

• Traits are controlled by genes.

• Genes are segments (pieces) of DNA.

• Genes are found on chromosomes.

• Genes are passed from parents to offspring – 1 copy from each parent

Dominant and Recessive • Each gene in a pair is an

allele • Offspring inherit one

allele from each parent• The allele that shows if

present is called dominant• The allele that is often

masked (covered up) is called recessive

Common traits that are inherited.

• Detached earlobe

Attached Detached (free)

Common traits that are inherited.

• Rolled tongue.

Common traits that are inherited.

• Dimples

Common traits that are inherited.

• Curly hair • If you have wavy hair

then say YES for curly• If you STRAIGHTEN

your hair, but it’s normally curly/wavy, then say YES

Common traits that are inherited.

• Cleft chin

Common traits that are inherited.

• Hand clasp.

Common traits that are inherited.

• Widows peak.

Common traits that are inherited.

• Bent thumb (hitchhikers thumb)

Common traits that are inherited.

• Finger hair.