MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Genetics

Medical Encyclopedia

Genetics

Genetics is the study of heredity and how traits are passed along from parents to offspring. Genes are contained within the chromosomes found in the egg and sperm. Each parent contributes one half of each pair or 23 chromosomes to their child, 22 autosomal and 1 sex chromosome.

Update Date: 5/20/2008

Updated by: Diana Chambers, MS, EdD, Certified Genetics Counselor (ABMG), Charter Member of the American Board of Genetic Counseling, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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