Question

Define heredity. Explain the mechanism of hereditary changes.

Answer 1

Heredity:

1. Heredity refers to the passing of traits from parents to offspring either through asexual or sexual reproduction.
   
2. Gregor Johann Mendel (1822 – 1884) was the first to carry out the study on the transmission of characteristics from the parents to the offspring.
   
3. He proposed that heredity is controlled by factors, which are now believed to be segments of chromosomes or genes.
4. ​These traits are passed on in the form of genetic information from parents to offspring.
   

Mechanism of hereditary changes:

1. This genetic information is stored in molecules called DNA.
   
2. During the process of reproduction, the child receives genetic information from both the parents in the form of DNA.
   
3. 50% of genetic information is passed on from the paternal DNA whereas the rest 50% of information is passed on by the maternal DNA.
   
4. This is why a child closely resembles its parents and has traits similar to both of them.
   
5. Commonly observed heritable features are curly hair, a particular type of ear lobe, hair on ears, etc.