Here’s the completed table based on the requested explanations and examples for the specified vocabulary related to heredity:
| Name | Illustrate! | Explain it in Your Own Words | What’s its Significance? (Why does it Matter?) | Real-Life Example |
|------------------|------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
| DNA | 
| DNA is a long, spiraled molecule that carries genetic instructions for living things. | DNA is crucial because it encodes the information necessary for life, including the function, growth, and reproduction of organisms. | DNA found in the body cell of a snake |
| Chromosome | 
| Chromosomes are structures made of DNA that are tightly coiled to fit within a cell's nucleus. | They allow a large amount of DNA to be compacted, making it easier to distribute during cell division. | Humans have 46 chromosomes, with 23 from each parent. |
| Gene | 
| A gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a specific protein or trait. | Genes are important because they determine the inherited characteristics or traits of an organism, influencing everything from appearance to health. | One of many genes that can code for a protein involved in eye pigment |
| Trait | 
| A trait is a specific characteristic or feature of an organism, like eye color or height. | Traits matter because they impact how individuals interact with their environment, their survival, and their reproduction. | A person's ability to roll their tongue or their height. |
Deoxyribose (sugar): A component of DNA, forming the backbone of the molecule along with phosphate.
Phosphate: A chemical group that, along with deoxyribose, makes up the backbone of the DNA structure.
Nitrogenous Base: The part of DNA that codes for the genetic information; there are four types (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine).
15. Based on the diagram, there are three nucleotides visible.
16. The four types of bases in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). Adenine pairs with thymine, and cytosine pairs with guanine.
17. The relationship between DNA bases and traits is that the specific sequences of these bases in genes dictate how traits are expressed in an organism. Each gene corresponds to a particular trait.
18. This image represents your entire DNA code can be found in the chromosomes located in your cells. Each cell in your body contains the full set of DNA needed for your growth and functioning, stored in structures called chromosomes.
19. If Spike has 36 chromosomes, you would expect that Spike would have 18 chromosomes from his mother and 18 chromosomes from his father.
20. I determined the chromosome numbers by dividing the total number of chromosomes (36) by 2, since each parent contributes an equal amount. This relates to heredity because it demonstrates how traits and genetic information are passed on from parents to offspring, mixing genetic material to create diversity.
21. UV light can affect an organism’s traits by causing changes to DNA, which may lead to mutations. For example, excessive UV exposure in humans can lead to skin damage, which may result in traits such as skin cancer or even alterations in skin pigmentation.
22. Recap the Vocab - the following vocabulary can be labeled in the illustration:
- DNA: The whole structure
- Gene: A specific section of DNA
- Chromosome: The entire bundle of DNA
- Nucleotide: The building block of DNA, consisting of a phosphate, deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base
- Phosphate: Part of the nucleotide backbone
- Deoxyribose (sugar): The sugar component of DNA
- Nitrogenous Base: A part of the nucleotide that pairs (A, T, C, G).
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