Concept explainers
Explain why human offifuing resemble their parents but are not identical to them.
To explain: Why human offspring are similar to their parents but they are not identical to them.
Introduction: Heredity is the process of the transmission of traits or heritable information to the next generation in the form of DNA. Humans reproduce sexually. During sexual reproduction, the genetic information from both the parents gives a unique gene combination in the offspring. The offspring resemble their parents but are somewhat different in their genetic makeup, which explains the genetic variation.
Explanation of Solution
Humans undergo sexual reproduction and inherit one chromosome of each homologous pair of chromosomes from each parent. Each somatic cell in humans consists of 46 chromosomes, which are two sets of 23 chromosomes each (maternal and paternal set).
During sexual reproduction, most of the variation arises during fertilization and meiosis. During meiosis, the homologous chromosomes randomly align with their homologs at metaphase I. According to the law of independent assortment of chromosomes, each daughter cell shows either maternal or paternal chromosome combinations. Thus, there is a 50% chance that the offspring gets maternal or paternal chromosomes or a combination of both. Secondly, crossing over forms the recombinant chromosomes that consist of a unique combination of genes in the offspring. The next aspect is random fertilization, which could be between any male gamete and female gamete. These factors relate to the fact that the offspring resemble their parents but are not exactly identical.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 13 Solutions
BIOL 1406 V.1 PKG >2014<
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (3rd Edition)
Physical Science
Introductory Chemistry (6th Edition)
Chemistry: Atoms First
Genetics: From Genes to Genomes
- How is a protein destined for the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), imported into the ER? Be concise.arrow_forwardFind out about the organisations and the movements aimed at the conservation of our natural resources. Eg Chipko movement and Greenpeace. Make a project report on such an organisation.arrow_forwardWhat are biofertilizers and mention the significancearrow_forward
- PCBs and River Otters: Otters in Washington State’s Green-Duwamish River have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their livers. PCBs can bind to the estrogen receptors in animals and disrupt the endocrine system of these otters. The PCBs seem to increase the estrogen to androgen ratio, skewing the ratio toward too much estrogen. How would increased estrogen affect the river otter population? Based on your reading of the materials in this unit, what factors can affect fertility in humans? Explain how each of the factors affecting human fertility that you described can disrupt the human endocrine system to affect reproduction.arrow_forwardOther than oil and alcohol, are there other liquids you could compare to water (that are liquid at room temperature)? How is water unique compared to these other liquids? What follow-up experiment would you like to do, and how would you relate it to your life?arrow_forwardSelection of Traits What adaptations do scavengers have for locating and feeding on prey? What adaptations do predators have for capturing and consuming prey?arrow_forward
- Competition Between Species What natural processes limit populations from growing too large? What are some resources organisms can compete over in their natural habitat?arrow_forwardSpecies Interactions Explain how predators, prey and scavengers interact. Explain whether predators and scavengers are necessary or beneficial for an ecosystem.arrow_forwardmagine that you are conducting research on fruit type and seed dispersal. You submitted a paper to a peer-reviewed journal that addresses the factors that impact fruit type and seed dispersal mechanisms in plants of Central America. The editor of the journal communicates that your paper may be published if you make ‘minor revisions’ to the document. Describe two characteristics that you would expect in seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Contrast this with what you would expect for seeds that are gathered, buried or eaten by animals, and explain why they are different. (Editor’s note: Providing this information in your discussion will help readers to consider the significance of the research).arrow_forward
- Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...BiologyISBN:9781305117396Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStax
- Principles Of Radiographic Imaging: An Art And A ...Health & NutritionISBN:9781337711067Author:Richard R. Carlton, Arlene M. Adler, Vesna BalacPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning