Animation of a section of DNA rotating.

Genetics is the study of how living things receive common traits from previous generations. These traits are described by the genetic information carried by a molecule called DNA. The instructions for constructing and operating an organism are contained in the organism's DNA. Every living thing on earth has DNA in its cells. Image File history File links ADN_animation. ... The structure of part of a DNA double helix. ... The structure of part of a DNA double helix. ...

A gene is a hereditary unit consisting of DNA that occupies a spot on a chromosome and determines a characteristic in an organism. This stylistic schematic diagram shows a gene in relation to the double helix structure of DNA and to a chromosome (right). ... For the scientific journal Heredity see Heredity (journal) Heredity (the adjective is hereditary) is the transfer of characters from parent to offspring, either through their genes or through the social institution called inheritance (for example, a title of nobility is passed from individual to individual according to relevant customs and... The structure of part of a DNA double helix. ... Figure 1: A representation of a condensed eukaryotic chromosome, as seen during cell division. ... A crab is an example of an organism. ...

Genes are passed on from parent to child and are believed by many to be an important part of what decides looks and behavior. A parent is a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian // Mother This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For the Pet Shop Boys album of the same name see Behaviour Behavior or behaviour (see spelling differences) refers to the actions or reactions of an object or organism, usually in relation to the environment. ...

It helps to know the technical words used:

• DNA is a long molecule that has the form of a "double helix". It resembles a ladder that has been twisted. In eukaryotes such as animals and plants, the DNA is stored inside the cell nucleus, while in prokaryotes such as bacteria the DNA is in the cell's cytoplasm.
• Nucleotides form the rungs of the DNA ladder. There are four types of nucleotides, and the sequence of nucleotides carries the information in the DNA.
• A chromosome is a package for carrying the DNA in the cells. Different species of plants and animals have different numbers of chromosomes.
• A gene is a segment of a DNA molecule on a chromosome. The genes are like sentences built up of the "letters" of the nucleotide alphabet, and between them the genes direct the physical development and behavior of the organism.
• Alleles are the different forms of a given gene that an organism may possess. For example, in humans, one allele of the eye-color gene produces blue eyes and another allele of the eye-color gene produces brown eyes.
• A population is a localized group of individuals belonging to the same species. For example, all the trout of the same species sharing a single stream is a population.
• A gene pool is the sum of all the alleles shared by members of a single population.

The structure of part of a DNA double helix. ... In chemistry, a molecule is an aggregate of two or more atoms in a definite arrangement held together by chemical bonds [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]. Chemical substances are not infinitely divisible into smaller fractions of the same substance: a molecule is generally considered the smallest particle of a pure... The Double-Helix are an alien race in the Wing Commander science fiction series. ... Kingdoms Animalia - Animals Fungi Plantae - Plants Protista A eukaryote (IPA: ) is an organism with a complex cell or cells, in which the genetic material is organized into a membrane-bound nucleus or nuclei. ... The eukaryotic cell nucleus. ... Prokaryotes (from Old Greek pro- before + karyon nut or kernel, referring to the cell nucleus, + suffix -otos, pl. ... Cytoplasm is a water-like cell wall that fills cells. ... A nucleotide is an organic molecule consisting of a heterocyclic nucleobase (a purine or a pyrimidine), a pentose sugar (deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA), and a phosphate or polyphosphate group. ... Figure 1: A representation of a condensed eukaryotic chromosome, as seen during cell division. ... This stylistic schematic diagram shows a gene in relation to the double helix structure of DNA and to a chromosome (right). ... The structure of part of a DNA double helix. ... In genetics, an allele (pronounced al-eel or al-e-ul) is any one of a number of viable DNA codings occupying a given locus (position) on a chromosome. ... Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Biwa trout, Oncorhynchus masou subsp Trout is the common name given to a number of species of freshwater fish belonging to the salmon family, Salmonidae. ... The gene pool of a species or a population is the complete set of unique alleles that would be found by inspecting the genetic material of every living member of that species or population. ...

Mendel’s contribution

Gregor Mendel's work on the inheritance of traits in pea plants laid the foundation for genetics.

Darwin’s theory of natural selection laid the groundwork for evolutionary theory. However, it was the emergence of the field of genetics, pioneered by Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), that provided the missing information on how evolution works in practice. Mendel’s experiments with peas led him to realise that heredity in sexual reproduction works by the mixing of separate factors, not by the blending of inherited characters. This combination of Darwin's theory and our current understanding of heredity led to the birth of the scientific area called "population genetics". File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Gregor Johann Mendel (July 20[1], 1822 – January 6, 1884) was an Augustinian abbot who is often called the father of modern genetics for his study of the inheritance of traits in pea plants. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... For a non-technical introduction to the topic, please see Introduction to genetics. ... For a non-technical introduction to the topic, please see Introduction to genetics. ... Gregor Johann Mendel (July 20[1], 1822 – January 6, 1884) was an Augustinian abbot who is often called the father of modern genetics for his study of the inheritance of traits in pea plants. ... Binomial name Pisum sativum L. A pea is the small, edible round green bean which grows in a pod on the leguminous vine Pisum sativum, or in some cases to the immature pods. ... Heredity (the adjective is hereditary) is the transfer of characteristics from parent to offspring, either through their genes or through the social institution called inheritance (for example, a title of nobility is passed from individual to individual according to relevant customs and/or laws). ... Population genetics is the study of the distribution of and change in allele frequencies under the influence of the four evolutionary forces: natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and migration. ...

Notes

External links

• University of Utah Genetics Learning Center animated tour of the basics of genetics