Define Heredity. Explain the mechanism of hereditary changes

Define Heredity. Explain the mechanism of hereditary changes

Ans :

i) Heredity is the transfer of biological characters from one generation to another via genes. 

ii) It is also called mechanism of inheritance. 

iii) Mechanisms that increase genetic variation include mutation, recombination and gene flow. 

iv) Mutation generally occurs via chromosomal mutations, point mutation, frame shift and breakdown in DNA repair mechanisms. Ex. Mutation may cause the genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia. 

v) Chromosomal mutation include translocation, inversion, deletions and chromosome non disjunction. 

vi) Point mutation may be nonsense mutation leading to early termination of protein synthesis.