AP Biology Chapter 13 notes Campbell/Reece
Chapter 13 Meiosis and Sexual Life Cycles Variations on a Theme Heredity The transmission of traits from one generation to the next Genetics The scientific study of heredity and hereditary variation 13.1 Offspring acquire genes from parents by inheriting chromosomes A. Inheritance of Genes Genes Coded information in the form of hereditary units These genes are the reason we look like our parents in some ways. Functions of genes: program cells to synthesize specific enzymes and other proteins All these functions lead to the inherited traits that you can often see DNA The way the genes are programmed, the language. Almost all DNA is in chromosomes in the nucleus (except small amt in mito/chloro) Gametes These are the reproductive cells (i.e. sperm and eggs)