Basic Genetics

While reading about heredity and traits, I’ve learned lots of interesting facts. While reading “What is heredity?” I’ve learned that the environment we grow up in helps define our traits. For example, while a person’s genes may be a certain hair color, exposure to chemicals or sunlight can change their hair color. Next what I’ve learned about heredity, is that humans have two complete sets of 23 chromosomes. Meaning, there is 46 in total. When parents conceive a child, they can contribute one set to their child. In this way, parents pass genes to the child. I’ve also learned lots of facts while reading “What is a trait?” The instructions encoded in our genes play a role in defining our traits. But the non-genetic (also called “environment”) influences our lives and are just as important in shaping our traits. Sometimes these environmental factors can even change a trait. For instance, Genes determine natural hair/eye color; though exposure to sun or hair dyes can easily change that color. People train their dogs to chase things and bring them back. When you toss the ball, instead of fetching the ball you can teach your dog to roll over and “play dead.” A person may be born with an increased risk or heart disease; you can reduce that risk by eating healthy foods and exercising. Lastly what I’ve learned about traits is that traits influenced by one gene are rare. These are called “single gene traits.” Though most of the time, traits are shaped by more then one gene, and sometimes many. These are called “complex traits.” These are some of the interesting facts that I’ve learned about heredity and traits.