Amoeba Sisters Video Recap – DNA, Chromosomes, Genes, and Traits: An Intro to A Picture Says It All 18. Explain what this image represents regarding where your entire DNA code can be found. 19. Apply Your Understanding: Spike is not a clone of his father. He inherited DNA from both of his parents. Chromosomes are condensed units of DNA. If Spike has 36 chromosomes, you would expect that Spike would have inherited chromosomes from his mother and father.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Answer for Question 18: The image represents the fact that an organism’s entire DNA code is contained within chromosomes inside the nucleus of each cell. Chromosomes are structures made of tightly packed DNA, and they house all the genetic instructions necessary for growth, development, and biological functions. Since DNA carries the genetic blueprint that determines traits, its presence within chromosomes ensures the proper transmission of hereditary information across generations.
Answer for Question 19: Spike would have inherited 18 chromosomes from his mother and 18 chromosomes from his father.
Explanation: Chromosomes are condensed structures composed of DNA, and they exist in pairs within the nucleus of cells. In sexually reproducing organisms, half of the chromosomes are inherited from the mother, while the other half come from the father. This ensures genetic diversity by blending characteristics from both parental lineages.
For instance, humans possess 46 chromosomes, with 23 originating from each parent. In Spike’s case, since he has 36 chromosomes, it follows that 18 of them were inherited from his mother and 18 from his father. This distribution maintains the species’ chromosome number and allows for the proper functioning of genetic inheritance.
The role of chromosomes is fundamental in determining an organism’s traits. They contain genes, which are specific sequences of DNA that encode proteins and influence physical and physiological characteristics. Each chromosome carries unique genetic information, and the combination inherited from both parents contributes to the distinct identity of the offspring.
Understanding chromosomal inheritance is essential for studying genetics and hereditary traits. It explains why offspring are not exact clones of their parents but instead exhibit variations resulting from gene recombination. This process is responsible for the diversity observed among individuals within a species and plays a critical role in evolution and adaptation.
