Middle School Life Science

Middle School Life Science explores the fundamental concepts of biology, ecology, and the interactions of living organisms with their environment.

Basic Concepts

Genetics and Heredity

Understanding Genetics

Genetics is the study of how traits are passed from parents to offspring. Traits can include things like eye color, hair type, and even the shape of your nose.

DNA: The Code of Life

Inside every cell, DNA holds instructions for making you who you are. Think of DNA as a cookbook, with recipes for all your traits.

How Heredity Works

Each parent passes down half of their genes to their children. This is why you may have your mom’s eyes and your dad’s smile.

Real-World Application

Genetics helps scientists understand inherited diseases and develop new medicines.

Examples

  • You might have dimples if one of your parents does.

  • Some plants are bred to be resistant to disease using genetic knowledge.

In a Nutshell

Genetics explains how traits are inherited from one generation to the next.

Key Terms

Gene
A segment of DNA that carries instructions for a trait.
Trait
A characteristic, like hair color or height.
Heredity
The passing of traits from parents to offspring.