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Genetics and inheritance from "summary" of The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins
Genetics and inheritance are the mechanisms by which living things pass on information about themselves to future generations. Genes are the units of information that determine the characteristics of an organism. They are found in the cells of every living thing, and they are made of DNA. Genes come in pairs, with one from each parent. These pairs determine the physical traits of an individual, such as eye color or height. Inheritance is the process by which genes are passed on from parents to offspring. Offspring inherit one set of genes from each parent, and this combination of genes determines their genetic makeup. This process is not random - certain genes are more likely to be passed on than others. For example, if both parents have brown eyes, it is more likely that their offspring will also have brown eyes. Genes can also be responsible for inherited diseases or conditions. Some genes carry mutations that can cause health problems, such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia. In these cases, the offspring may inherit the mutated gene from one or both parents, leading to the development of the disease. Genetic inheritance is a complex process that is influenced by many factors. For example, some genes are dominant, meaning that they are more likely to be expressed in the offspring. Other genes are recessive, meaning that they are only expressed if both copies of the gene are present. This means that some genetic traits may skip generations or only be expressed in certain individuals.- Genetics and inheritance play a crucial role in shaping the characteristics of living things. They determine everything from physical traits to susceptibility to disease. By understanding how genes are passed on from one generation to the next, scientists can learn more about the diversity of life on Earth and how different species are related to each other.
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