MARIKINA SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL

MAYOR JUAN CHANYUNGCO ST., STA. ELENA, MARIKINA CITY

Biotechnology 8
Second Quarter SY 2022-2023
Activity Sheet #4
(Vital role of DNA, RNA and proteins in the transmission of hereditary traits)

Name: ________________________ Date: ____________________

Grade & Section: _______________ Teacher: Jan Mari S. Buenaflor

MELCS:

 Analyze the vital role of DNA, RNA and proteins in the transmission of hereditary traits

Unpacked Objectives:

 Identify and describe DNA, RNA and Proteins.

 Discuss the role of DNA. RNA and proteins in the transmission of hereditary traits.

Lesson:

Vital role of DNA, RNA and proteins in the transmission of hereditary traits

Perhaps the most fundamental property of all living things is the ability to reproduce. All organisms inherit the genetic
information specifying their structure and function from their parents. Likewise, all cells arise from pre-existing cells,
so the genetic material must be replicated and passed from parent to progeny cell at each cell division. How genetic
information is replicated and transmitted from cell to cell and organism to organism thus represents a question that is
central to all of biology. Consequently, elucidation of the mechanisms of genetic transmission and identification of the
genetic material as DNA were discoveries that formed the foundation of our current understanding of biology at the
molecular level.

Genes and Chromosomes

The classical principles of genetics were deduced by Gregor Mendel in 1865, on the basis of the results of breeding
experiments with peas. Mendel studied the inheritance of a number of well-defined traits, such as seed color, and
was able to deduce general rules for their transmission. In all cases, he could correctly interpret the observed
patterns of inheritance by assuming that each trait is determined by a pair of inherited factors, which are now
called genes. One gene copy (called an allele) specifying each trait is inherited from each parent. For example,
breeding two strains of peas—one having yellow seeds, and the other green seeds—yields the following results
(Figure 3.1). The parental strains each have two identical copies of the gene specifying yellow (Y) or green (y) seeds,
respectively. The progeny plants are therefore hybrids, having inherited one gene for yellow seeds (Y) and one for
green seeds (y). All these progeny plants (the first filial, or F1, generation) have yellow seeds, so yellow (Y) is said to
be dominant and green (y) recessive. The genotype (genetic composition) of the F1 peas is thus Yy, and
their phenotype (physical appearance) is yellow. If one F1 offspring is bred with another, giving rise to F 2 progeny, the
genes for yellow and green seeds segregate in a characteristic manner such that the ratio between F 2 plants with
yellow seeds and those with green seeds is 3:1.

Figure 3.1

Mendel's findings, apparently ahead of their time, were largely ignored until 1900, when Mendel's laws were
rediscovered and their importance recognized. Shortly thereafter, the role of chromosomes as the carriers of genes
was proposed. It was realized that most cells of higher plants and animals are diploid—containing two copies of each
chromosome. Formation of the germ cells (the sperm and egg), however, involves a unique type of cell division
(meiosis) in which only one member of each chromosome pair is transmitted to each progeny cell (Figure 3.2).
Consequently, the sperm and egg are haploid, containing only one copy of each chromosome. The union of these
two haploid cells at fertilization creates a new diploid organism, now containing one member of each chromosome
pair derived from the male and one from the female parent. The behavior of chromosome pairs thus parallels that of
genes, leading to the conclusion that genes are carried on chromosomes.
Figure 3.2
Chromosomes at meiosis and fertilization. Two chromosome pairs of a hypothetical organism are illustrated.
The fundamentals of mutation, genetic linkage, and the relationships between genes and chromosomes were largely
established by experiments performed with the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila can be easily
maintained in the laboratory, and they reproduce about every two weeks, which is a considerable advantage for
genetic experiments. Indeed, these features continue to make Drosophila an organism of choice for genetic studies
of animals, particularly the genetic analysis of development and differentiation.
In the early 1900s, a number of genetic alterations (mutations) were identified in Drosophila, usually affecting readily
observable characteristics such as eye color or wing shape. Breeding experiments indicated that some of the genes
governing these traits are inherited independently of each other, suggesting that these genes are located on
different chromosomes that segregate independently during meiosis (Figure 3.3). Other genes, however, are
frequently inherited together as paired characteristics. Such genes are said to be linked to each other by virtue of
being located on the same chromosome. The number of groups of linked genes is the same as the number of
chromosomes (four in Drosophila), supporting the idea that chromosomes are carriers of the genes.

Figure 3.3
Gene segregation and linkage. (A) Segregation of two hypothetical genes for shape (A/a = square/round) and color
(B/b = red/blue) located on different chromosomes. (B) Linkage of two genes located on the same chromosome.
Linkage between genes is not complete, however; chromosomes exchange material during meiosis, leading
to recombination between linked genes (Figure 3.4). The frequency of recombination between two linked genes
depends on the distance between them on the chromosome; genes that are close to each other recombine less
frequently than do genes farther apart. Thus, the frequencies with which different genes recombine can be used to
determine their relative positions on the chromosome, allowing the construction of genetic maps (Figure 3.5). By
1915, nearly a hundred genes had been defined and mapped onto the four chromosomes of Drosophila, leading to
general acceptance of the chromosomal basis of heredity.

Figure 3.4

Genetic recombination. During meiosis, members of chromosome pairs exchange material. The result is
recombination between linked genes.

Figure 3.5

A genetic map. Three genes are localized on a hypothetical chromosome based on frequencies of recombination
between them (1% recombination between a and b; 3% between b and c; 4% between a and c). The frequencies of
recombination are approximately proportional

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9944/
http://www.inetteacher.com/upload1/103810/docs/Ch%203%20Biology%20and%20Behavior/Ch%203%20Biology
%20and%20Behavior%20Heredity.pdf
Chromosomes are thread like gene carrying structures found in the nucleus. Each chromosome consists of one DNA
molecule and associated proteins (ghr.nlm.nih.gov). Genes are segments of DNA. These are the units which make
up chromosomes, responsible for the inheritance of specific characteristics. Alleles are alternate versions of genes. A
dominant allele is the version of that gene that is always shown as the characteristic. A recessive allele is only shown
if there is no dominant allele present inherited information is passed on in the form of each genes specific sequence
of nucleotides that make up DNA. Most genes programme cells to synthesise proteins that produces an organisms
inherited traits. Traits are organisms’ characteristics.
The transmission of hereditary traits is based on the replication of DNA which produces copies of genes that can be
passed on from parents to offspring.
Humans have 46 chromosomes in almost all cells (apart from sex cells for example sperm and egg cells which are
haploid or have half the number of chromosomes)
Sexual reproduction results in greater degree of variation. Two parents give rise to offspring that have unique
combinations of genes inherited from two parents.
Sexual reproduction generates genetic variation by homologous parings (half of the chromosomes form the mother
and half from the father).
The process crossing over is the exchange of genetic material which enhances variation in a species; it produces
recombinant chromosomes, which combine genes inherited from two parents. Crossing over occurs early in meiosis,
as homologous chromosomes pair loosely along their lengths (N.A Campbell& J.B Reece).

Reference: https://www.termpaperwarehouse.com/essay-on/The-Role-Of-Genes-And-Chromosomes/241573

What Kind of Trait Can Be Inherited?

It's easy to think of an inherited trait as a specific feature, like eye color or height. But honestly, any set of genes your
parents' passed down to you can be considered inherited traits. A trait is something that defines you. It can be easily
observable, like hair color, or something hidden in your cells, like an ability to digest the sugar lactose. Because our entire
DNA comes from our parents, any trait we have that is determined by DNA is considered an inherited trait.
Inheritance talks about how these traits are passed down from one generation to the next. Segments of DNA, called
genes, are responsible for distributing this information. Each gene has the instructions to make one protein. There can be
multiple versions of a gene, and these versions are called alleles. For example, at the gene for eye color, you can have
either a brown allele or a blue allele (note: this is an oversimplification). Each of your parents gave you one allele for each
gene you have.
Your cells contain thousands of genes, but they're not all expressed, or turned on, at the same time. When a gene is
expressed, a product is made. This causes the inherited trait you see. With eye color, when a gene for brown eyes is
expressed, a pigment is made. The result is the brown eye trait.

What Causes a Trait?

Proteins are major components of cells that perform a wide variety of tasks- they perform chemical reactions, make
pigments, and form your muscles, hair, and nails. The presence or absence of proteins creates your physical
characteristics. Eye, skin, and hair color all depend on pigment proteins being produced or not being produced.
These proteins are produced by a gene that tells the cell how to make a protein.
Let's take our simplified example of eye color. In this example, blue eyes would be caused by lack of a pigment
called melanin, which is a protein, being produced, whereas brown eyes are caused by the pigment being made.

Prepared By:

JAN MARI S. BUENAFLOR

Biotechnology Teacher