SCIENCE 10: Heredity, Variation & Mutation
A. Heredity
- also called inheritance or biological inheritance, is the passing on of traits from
parents to their offspring; either through asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction,
the offspring cells or organisms acquire the genetic information of their parents. Through
heredity, variations between individuals can accumulate and
cause species to evolve by natural selection. The study of heredity in biology is genetics.
How does heredity work?
Genes: Genes are the functional units of heritable material found in all living cells.
Alleles: The different form of genes.
Chromosomes: Chromosomes are DNA wrapped around protein structures. Humans
have 46 chromosomes in most of their cells, but sperm and egg cells each have 23.
Genotype: An organism's genotype is the set of genes it inherits from both parents.
Types of genotype : homozygous dominant, homozygous recessive and
heterozygous.
Phenotype: Physical expression or observable traits.
What does heredity explain?
Species constancy: Heredity explains why a species remains constant from generation to
generation.
Individual variation: Heredity explains why individuals within a species vary in their
traits.
Evolution: Heredity allows variations to accumulate between individuals, which can
cause species to evolve through natural selection.
What is the study of heredity called?
The study of heredity is called genetics. Genetics is a branch of science that studies
DNA, genes, and genetic variation.
Mitosis and meiosis are both types of cell division, but they have different purposes
and produce different results:
Mitosis
Produces two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the
parent cell. Mitosis is used for growth, repair, and replacing dead cells. For example,
stomach cells undergo mitosis to replace themselves after a few days.
Meiosis
Produces four non-identical daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the
parent cell. Meiosis is used to produce egg and sperm cells for sexual reproduction.
B. Genetic variation is the difference in DNA sequences between individuals or
populations of the same species. It's responsible for the unique characteristics of each
person, such as hair color, skin color, and facial shape.
Causes
Mutations: Changes in DNA that can be caused by radiation, chemicals, or occur
spontaneously during DNA replication
Genetic recombination: The mixing of genetic traits to create new combinations
Gene flow: The movement of genes between populations
Benefits
Survival: Genetic variation helps populations survive and adapt to environmental
changes
Evolution: Genetic variation is necessary for evolution and natural selection
Examples
Sickle cell disease
Having two altered copies of the HBB gene causes sickle cell disease, but having one
copy provides some resistance to malaria
Cheetahs
Cheetahs have low genetic variation, which makes them more susceptible to disease
and extinction
- Genetic variation within a population can be advantageous or beneficial, others can be
neutral or even harmful. Sexual reproduction (recombination) also creates new genetic
combinations. Asexual reproduction can also generate some level of genetic variation
through mutations.
- Genetic variation is essential for a population to adapt to changing
environments.Variation provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon.
- Genetic variation exists within species, leading to differences between individuals.
- Genetic drift is a random process that can reduce genetic variation. In small
populations, random events can significantly alter allele frequencies.
- Gene flow increases genetic variation within a population. The movement of individuals
between populations introduces new alleles.
- Inbreeding can lead to an increase in homozygous recessive disorders.
- Genetic variation is the basis for biodiversity. The diversity of life on Earth is a result of
genetic variation among organisms.
- Environmental factors can influence the expression of genetic traits. The environment
can interact with genes to produce observable characteristics (phenotype).
C. MUTATION
A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of an organism. Mutations can be caused by
errors in DNA replication, exposure to mutagens, or viral infections.
Types of mutations
Germline mutations: Occur in reproductive cells like eggs and sperm, and can be
passed on to offspring
Somatic mutations: Occur in body cells and are not passed on to offspring
Substitution: A mutation that exchanges one base for another
Deletion: The loss of all or part of a chromosome
Duplication: The production of an extra copy of all or part of a chromosome
Inversion: The reversal of the direction of parts of a chromosome
Effects of mutations
Mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or have no effect.
Mutations can cause physical characteristics like facial abnormalities, webbed
fingers, or short stature.
Mutations can cause problems with cognitive function, developmental delays, vision
or hearing loss, or breathing problems.
Mutations can increase the risk of developing cancer.
Importance of mutations
Mutations are a main cause of diversity among organisms.
Mutations are the raw materials of evolution.
Only mutations that can be passed on to offspring matter for the evolution of life's
diversity.
