Genes & Chromosomes

Keywords

Genes, chromosomes, features, traits, generations, family, protein, DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, structure, monosome.

Introduction

Our genes are important. They distinguish us from other people, by ways of hair colour, eye colour and height, plus other features we may have.

What are Genes?

Genes are functional units of heredity. To make this sound simpler, they are what is passed down to each new generation of family - this can be features like:

Hair colour
Eye colour
Height
Weight
Metabolism
Diseases

There are around 30,000 genes in each human body, all making us up with different features. They all form part of our DNA.

Scientists such as Gregor Mendel in the 1800s worked to find out how we change over generations, and this was found by three scientists in the 1900, who later found that their work wasn't new, and referred back to Mendel's work with pea plants.

Take a look at this YouTube video for more information:

What are Chromosomes?

A chromosome is a thread-like structure that is found in plants and animal cells. Each one (we have 46) is made of protein and a single molecule of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid).

Interesting fact: we inherit 23 chromosomes from our father, and we inherit 23 chromsomes from our mother. They are paired up to make 46 chromosomes.

What Do They Do?

A chromosome protects the DNA from falling apart, as they are structured with spool-like proteins called histones. Without this packaging, the molecules of DNA would be too long to fit inside cells.

If there are any changes in the number or structure of the chromosomes, this can lead to serious problems. If we look at the 21^st chromosome, and more specifically in people with Down's Syndrome, there is a third copy of it present, instead of the two copies found in others.

DNA Interaction

The interaction between DNA and chromosomes is fairly simple, in the fact that when the DNA replicates, it creates two new sets of chromosomes. It does this during cell reproduction. So, when you have two gametes, which have one set of chromosomes each, they pair up together and make the full set of chromosomes of the next child.

Monosomes

A Monosome is a single piece of RNA (specifically messenger RNA) that is not attached to a chromosome. Where a chromosome is a double up of genes and RNA forming the DNA, a monosome does not do this. It is simply an unpaired X chromosome.

Too Long; Didn't Read

Genes are important. They are functional units of heredity. If your parents have a certain genetic trait, like brown hair or eyes, you are likely to follow suit and have the same. We have around 3,000 genes in the human body, making the different features.

Chromosomes are a thread-like structure found in plants and animal cells. Each one is made of protein and a single molecule of DNADeoxyribonucleic Acid. Humans have typically 23 pairs (46 in total) chromosomes in our cells. There are genetic abnormalities that mean some people have genetic conditions such as Down's syndrome, Turner syndrome and other conditions that affect us.