Day 18 Genes and Traits What Are Genes
- Slides: 10
Day 18 Genes and Traits
What Are Genes? • A trait is an observable characteristic, like hair color and texture, or how tall a person is. • Genes are instructions contained inside every cell in your body. • These instructions tell your body what traits you will have. • All living things have many genes.
How Did I Get My Genes? • You inherited your genes from your parents. • You received one set of genes from your father and one set of genes from your mother. • These genes determine what you will look like (traits), and much more.
Dominant Genes • Some genes are “stronger” than others. These genes are called dominant genes. • Most Dobermans have black and brown fur. • Their genes carry instructions for the trait of fur color.
Recessive Genes • Other genes are “weaker” than others. These genes are called recessive. • Very few Dobermans have fur with no apparent color. • Their genes carry instructions for the trait of not having black fur.
Dominant + Recessive = Dominant • If one parent has a dominant gene, and the other has a recessive gene, their offspring will have the trait defined by the dominant version of the gene.
Turn and Talk • Which of the parents has a dominant trait for wing color? How do you know?
Dominant + Dominant = Dominant • If both parents have a dominant gene, their offspring will have the trait defined by the dominant version of the gene.
Recessive + Recessive = Recessive • If both parents have a recessive gene or genes, their offspring will have the trait defined by the recessive version of the gene.
Turn and Talk • Take a close look at the photos below. Why does the offspring of these two adult butterflies have white wings?