Heredity Passing of traits from parent to offspring

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.