Recall that all living things are made of cells. The nucleus, in the center of the cell, is where all genetic material is located. Click through the slides below for more details about the genetic material found in the nucleus of your cells and how your genes are inherited from each parent.
Proteins
Proteins are the “doers” of cells, meaning they allow the cell to do whatever it needs to do. Proteins are made of chains of amino acids, the building blocks of life. The order of the amino acids can change the function of the protein. For example, in your body, there is a protein that is meant to digest food that is broken down in your stomach and a different protein, with a different arrangement of amino acids, that holds your skin cells together.
DNA
DNA is an abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is a coil of genetic material that is specific to each individual living thing. DNA contains the genetic “recipe” for development, growth, and reproduction. It is the blueprint for how your amino acids need to be put together in order to make the right proteins for your body to function properly.
For example, your red blood cells need hemoglobin. Your DNA dictates which amino acids need to be put together in order to build hemoglobin. Basically, your DNA contains the instructions to build your proteins, which control how cells act. Cells in your body are constantly working and self-replicating. This self-replication is how traits are passed down from parents to offspring.
Chromosomes
As you can see, strands of your DNA are coiled together to create your chromosomes.
Your DNA makes up the chromosomes inside your body, which are found in the nucleus of the cells. You get half of your chromosomes from your father and the other half from your mother. This is how several traits are inherited from your parents. All new organisms formed by sexual reproduction contain a set of genetics from each parent. Therefore, your chromosomes consist of a combination of inherited DNA from your mother and from your father. (The only exception to this would be a mutation of a gene, which could result in a trait that neither parent has.)
Genes
Clearly, your genes are segments of DNA that make up your chromosomes. Chromosomes are passed down from parent to offspring.
Inherited traits are controlled by genes. Genes are sections of DNA that carry instructions for your design down to the last detail. Genes are located on the chromosomes that control specific physical traits, such as eye color and hair color, as well as functionality traits, such as blood type. Like DNA, genes contain the information required to build proteins.
Recap
In short, your chromosomes and, ultimately, your genes come from your parents. Your DNA contains the instructions to build proteins, which control how cells act and interact with one another. All of these processes work together to make you the human that you are!
Reflection
Question
Why do you have some features similar to your mother and others similar to your father?
Your chromosomes consist of a combination of inherited DNA from your mother and from your father. For example, you could have inherited your mother’s hair and eye color but your father’s skin color and blood type.
