Genetics is the study of heredity and how traits are passed along
from parents to offspring. Genes are contained within the
chromosomes found within the egg and sperm. Each parent contributes
one half of each pair or 23 chromosomes to their child, 22
autosomal and 1 sex chromosome. The inheritance of genetic
diseases, abnormalities, or traits is described by both the type of
chromosome the abnormal gene resides on (autosomal or sex
chromosome), and by whether the gene itself is dominant or
recessive.
Review Date: 04/26/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
