Genetics Basics

Hello explorer! 🐸 Are you ready to leap into the incredible world of genetics? Here, we'll uncover the fundamental concepts that explain how life propagates its traits from one generation to another. Genetics is the study of heredity, the process that determines which traits are passed down from parents to offspring.

What is DNA?

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule that contains the instructions an organism needs to develop, live, and reproduce. Let's visualize the double helix structure with our favorite animal here:

The structure of DNA is like a ladder twisted into a helix, with sugar and phosphate forming the sides and nucleotide pairs forming the rungs.

Understanding Genes

Genes are sections of DNA that code for specific proteins. These proteins determine an organism's traits, such as eye color, height, and more. Each parent's DNA is passed on to their offspring in combinations that result in a unique genetic makeup. Explore more by visiting our Genetic Heredity article!