Genetics | History, Biology, Timeline, & Facts | Britannica
Nov 24, 2024 · Genetics, study of heredity in general and of genes in particular. Genetics forms one of the central pillars of biology and overlaps with many other areas, such as agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology. Learn more about the history, biology, areas of …
Gene | Definition, Structure, Expression, & Facts | Britannica
Nov 29, 2024 · The sequence of bases along a strand of DNA determines the genetic code. When the product of a particular gene is needed, the portion of the DNA molecule that contains that gene will split. Through the process of transcription, a strand of RNA with bases complementary to those of the gene is created from the free nucleotides in the cell.
Human genetics | Description, Chromosomes, & Inheritance
Human genetics, study of the inheritance of characteristics by children from parents. Human inheritance does not differ in any fundamental way from inheritance in other organisms. An understanding of human heredity is important in the prediction, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases that have a genetic component.
Life - Genetics, Evolution, Biology | Britannica
Oct 25, 2024 · A genetic definition of life therefore would be a system capable of evolution by natural selection. (See Darwinism.) This definition places great emphasis on the importance of replication.
DNA | Definition, Discovery, Function, Bases, Facts, & Structure ...
Nov 21, 2024 · DNA, organic chemical of complex molecular structure found in all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It codes genetic information for the transmission of inherited traits. The structure of DNA was described in 1953, leading to further understanding of DNA replication and hereditary control of cellular activities.
Genetic Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
genetic fingerprinting [=using genes or parts of genes to identify a person, such as a criminal]
Gene editing | Definition, History, & CRISPR-Cas9 | Britannica
Oct 24, 2024 · Early attempts to correct genetic mistakes. The idea of using gene editing to treat disease or alter traits dates to at least the 1950s and the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA.
Genetic drift | Definition, Process, & Effects | Britannica
genetic drift, a change in the gene pool of a small population that takes place strictly by chance. Genetic drift can result in genetic traits being lost from a population or becoming widespread in a population without respect to the survival or reproductive value of the alleles involved.
genetics - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help
Genetics is the study of heredity, or how certain features pass from parents to their offspring, or young. Every kind of plant and animal produces young of its own species, or type. The young resemble their parents.
gene - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help
The combination of these bases, sugars, and phosphates is called the genetic code. The genetic code determines what features are passed down from parent to offspring. This code is what makes living things different from each other.