Structural inheritance
Structural inheritance is a concept in genetics that refers to the inheritance of physical characteristics and traits from parents to offspring. This concept is fundamental to the field of genetics and is a key component of the study of heredity and evolution.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Structural inheritance involves the transmission of genetic material, specifically DNA, from parents to offspring. This genetic material contains the information necessary for the development and function of an organism. The specific traits that an organism inherits from its parents are determined by the combination of genes it receives.
Mechanism[edit | edit source]
The mechanism of structural inheritance involves the replication of DNA during cell division. The DNA is copied and then divided equally between two new cells. This process ensures that each new cell receives a complete set of genetic material.
In sexual reproduction, each parent contributes half of their genetic material to their offspring. This means that the offspring inherits a combination of traits from both parents. The specific combination of genes that an offspring inherits is determined by a process called genetic recombination.
Implications[edit | edit source]
The concept of structural inheritance has significant implications for the study of biology, medicine, and evolution. It helps explain why offspring resemble their parents, but are not identical to them. It also provides a mechanism for the transmission of traits from one generation to the next.
In medicine, understanding structural inheritance can help predict the likelihood of an individual inheriting certain genetic disorders. It can also inform the development of treatments for these disorders.
In evolution, structural inheritance provides a mechanism for the gradual change of species over time. It allows for the accumulation of beneficial traits and the elimination of harmful ones, leading to the evolution of new species.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Structural inheritance Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
