The human body is a unified and coordinated whole composed of various organs. Cells are the basic unit of life. There are about 100 trillion cells that make up the human body. The basic structure of every cell includes the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus. The darker-stained materials scattered in the nucleus are chromosomes, which are the genetic material in the nucleus. There are 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) in human cells, of which 44 are the same for both men and women and are called autosomes. The other two are different and are called sex chromosomes, which determine a person\’s gender.
The male sex chromosomes are XY and the female sex chromosomes are XX. There are only 23 chromosomes in the germ cells, sperm and eggs. When the sperm and egg combine to form a new life – a fertilized egg, an additional 46 chromosomes are synthesized. Therefore, of the 46 chromosomes in a child, 23 come from the father and 23 from the mother. Characteristics from both parents work together to control the characteristics of the fetus.
Gene is the basic unit of inheritance carried by chromosomes. It is the place where genetic information is stored. Its chemical component is deoxyribonucleic acid. It is a substance that determines human characteristics and can pass on genetic information to future generations.
Three characteristics of genes:
① Stability, the ability to faithfully copy itself, allowing organisms to maintain the characteristics of their own race.
②Can control cell metabolism.
③It has the characteristics of mutation, allowing life to continuously evolve and develop.
Chromosomes and genes are the decisive materials of heredity and play a very important role in heredity. The study of human chromosomes and genes has promoted the development of medical genetics and provided new basis for the diagnosis and treatment of some known genetic diseases.
Through the study of chromosomes, many new genetic diseases have been discovered. At the same time, through the analysis of the chromosomes of amniotic fluid cells, it can not only predict the gender of the fetus, but also detect fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities early, prevent the birth of abnormal fetuses, and ensure the healthy growth of the fetus.
Chromosomes and genes determine heredity, which also creates conditions for humans to understand heredity. Heredity can be predicted through the fetus, which facilitates the early detection of abnormalities that are detrimental to the healthy development of the fetus and takes measures to prevent the birth of an abnormal fetus.
This article is provided by Baidu Reading and is excerpted from \”Three Months Before Pregnancy – Pregnancy Preparation Period\” Author: Wang Liru