The Theory of Evolution

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There are many different theories surrounding the topic of evolution. One of which is the concept of genetic inheritance. Genetic inheritance is the passing on of genes from parents to offspring. This happens during the process of meiosis in the formation of egg and sperm cells. When the cell divides, the total number of chromosomes halves. When the egg and sperm join, half of each parents’ genes are passed on to the offspring (Mandal, 2013).
The theory of evolution is defined as the change in inherited traits of a population through successive generation (Forbes, 2010). The change in genes over time leads to evolution. These changes happen through genetic inheritance, the passing of genes from parent to offspring, generation after generation. Genes are inherited through numerous processes.
Autosomal dominant inheritance means that if a person carries one copy of that gene, the trait is likely to develop in the offspring (Mandal, 2013). The gene inherited is dominant over other genes. This means that only one parent may pass the gene on in order for the trait to be passed on. As seen in the figure i) (below left), if a parent carries an altered gene for a dominant condition, each of their children has a 50% or 1 in 2 chance of inheriting the altered gene. This is same for all children (Mandal, 2013).
Autosomal recessive inheritance is the inheritance of a genes second working copy. With recessive genes, it is only if someone inherits two altered copies of the same gene from each of their parents, they are likely to be expressed (Mandal, 2013). As seen in Figure ii) (below right), if both parents carry the faulty gene on alleles they are likely pass on their defective gene in only 25% of their offspring.

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...ldren or not, depending on the risks. Without our extensive knowledge of genetic inheritance, parents would not have this opportunity to possibly prevent future genetically inherited disorders or diseases.
Genetically engineered vaccines are also a technology that has been able to be created from the knowledge of genetic inheritance. A genetically engineered vaccine is the deliberate modification of a gene to fight disease. The genes are programmed to produce an antiviral protein in a bacterial cell to fight the disease (Unknown, 2011).
The role genetic inheritance has to play in the future is very important. With the continual study and of genetic inheritance, a greater understanding of genetic diseases will improve treatments and therapies. The human species will continue to evolve through the change of traits and characteristics; that is genetic inheritance.

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