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# Chapter 17: Introduction to Genetics ## Table of Contents 1. Chromosomes, Genes and DNA - 476 - Chromosomes - 476 - Genes - 477 - DNA - 477 - Mutation - 477 2. Protein Synthesis - 478 - Messenger Ribonucleic Acid - 478 3. Cell Division - 480 - Mitosis - 480 - Meiosis - 480 4....

# Chapter 17: Introduction to Genetics ## Table of Contents 1. Chromosomes, Genes and DNA - 476 - Chromosomes - 476 - Genes - 477 - DNA - 477 - Mutation - 477 2. Protein Synthesis - 478 - Messenger Ribonucleic Acid - 478 3. Cell Division - 480 - Mitosis - 480 - Meiosis - 480 4. The Genetic Basis of Inheritance - 481 - Autosomal Inheritance - 481 - Sex-linked Inheritance - 482 5. Ageing and Genetics - 483 6. Genetic Basis of Disease - 484 - Cancer - 484 - Inherited Disease - 484 7. Review and Revise - 485 - Animations - 478 - 17.1 Transcription - 479 - 17.2 Translation - 479 - 17.3 Hereditary Traits - 482 - 17.4 Punnett Square - 482 ## Overview All living organisms, including human beings, need to reproduce to ensure the continuation of their species. Offspring inherit information from their parents, primarily through DNA, which is housed in the cell nucleus and organized into chromosomes. Genetics is the study of genes and influences many aspects of daily life, including genetic counseling and the production of human insulin using genetically engineered microorganisms. Human beings reproduce sexually, meaning a new human is conceived from genetic material from two individuals (the parents). This process is intricate and prone to error, allowing species to evolve. The Human Genome Project mapped every chromosome, providing a blueprint for life and significant information for medical science, including the understanding and treatment of genetic diseases. Towards the end of the chapter, the effects of ageing on chromosomes, cell division, and heredity are examined, followed by common genetic abnormalities.