You have been asked by your colleagues at the child development center to participate in a parenting workshop. More specifically, you have been asked to explain how children inherit traits from their parents and ancestors. How might you cover this topic, and what are two keys points you would want to discuss with the workshop attendees?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

You might first explain that genetics is the field of study that helps us understand how humans inherit the characteristics that make them unique. Cells, the 46 chromosomes (44 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes), genes, and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are the building blocks of life. You would first explain that a cell is the smallest organism or unit of life. We have about 60 trillion cells (200 different types) in our bodies. We have cells associated with our hair shaft, oral cavity, muscle, and much more.
Each cell (except red blood cells) has a nucleus that contains chromosomes, DNA, and genes. The chromosomes consist of thousands of chemical segments called DNA. The DNA is made up of two strands of molecules that twist around each other in a double helix shape. In the 46 chromosomes of each human cell, there are approximately 3 billion pairs of such DNA molecules. The specific sequence of the molecule pairs makes up our genetic code. Genes reside within DNA and inform cells which proteins to make. Genes influence our hair color, eye color, the shape of our mouths and noses, and more.
Sex cells (gametes) contain 23 chromosomes, half of the individual's genetic content. When sperm and ova combine, they form one cell (zygote) containing hereditary material from each parent. Traits emerge from the interaction of genetics and environmental factors.
One of the major points to make is that we can trace an individual's uniqueness back to genetic makeup. We can match DNA to an individual's hair, blood, and saliva. In addition to physical characteristics, geneticists are now finding ways to explain some parts of our personality and behaviors by mapping our genetic code. A second major point to make is that the study of genetics can help us map migration populations. It is possible to determine where our distant ancestors were from and their migration paths.
Additional point:
Genetic abnormalities can be the result of mutations: random changes in the chemical structure of one or more genes that may or may not be harmful. Such mutations may not occur again in a family. Prenatal tests such as the combined test during the first trimester of pregnancy help detect chromosomal abnormalities.