From Parents to Children Thanks to Chromosomes

Chromosomes are structures that contain genes responsible for heredity and the transmission of genetic characteristics from parents to children. Each cell in our body contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, which are elongated DNA molecules. The DNA molecule is shaped like a double helix, made up of two groups of sugar phosphate and nitrogenous bases, which determine our genetic traits such as eye color, skin color, nose shape and more.

When a cell begins to divide, the cell nucleus undergoes various changes. The membrane and nucleoli disappear, and the chromatin becomes more dense, forming thick threads - chromosomes. Each chromosome consists of two halves - chromatids - joined at a constriction point called the centromere.

Our cells, like all animal and plant cells, obey the law of numerical constancy, according to which the number of chromosomes of a certain type is constant. In addition, chromosomes are distributed in pairs that are identical to each other.

Heredity is one of the main mechanisms for the transmission of gene characteristics from parents to children. Genes contained on chromosomes are passed from parents to children through a combination of hereditary information from maternal and paternal cells. This process is called meiosis.

Meiosis occurs in germ cells - sperm in men and eggs in women. During meiosis, pairs of chromosomes are separated into individual chromosomes, which are then distributed among the sex cells. When a sperm fertilizes an egg, a zygote is created that contains the full set of chromosomes - 23 from the mother and 23 from the father.

Thus, chromosomes play an important role in the transmission of heredity from parents to children. They contain genes that determine our genetic traits and are passed on from mother and father cells through the process of meiosis. Understanding this process can help parents better understand what genetic traits their children may have and how they may affect their future health and well-being.