Passing on genetic information from parents to children

Passing on genetic information from parents to children An explanation of autosomal dominant inheritance

Here are some PowerPoint teaching slides which demonstrate the transmission of an autosomal dominant condition from parent to child; please feel free to use these within your teaching Some parts of the animations run automatically; others require a mouse click Most slides have notes with further information

The 46 human chromosomes seen down the microscope Hundreds of genes are located on each chromosome (The dark bands on the chromosomes are due to a special staining technique and are not genes as these are too small to see)

The 46 human chromosomes arranged in their 23 pairs (these are the chromosomes of a normal male)

Position of particular gene Chromosome

Usual gene Altered gene Chromosome

Autosomal dominant inheritance where one parent has the condition Parents Has condition Sperm or eggs

Autosomal dominant inheritance where one parent has the condition Parents Sperm or eggs At conception

Autosomal dominant inheritance where one parent has the condition Parents Sperm or eggs At conception Does not have the condition Does not have the condition Has the condition Has the condition

This is a family where raised cholesterol is being inherited as an autosomal dominant condition (familial hypercholesterolaemia)

This animation is part of a series describing modes of inheritance To access these and other resources for teaching and learning genetics, please visit: www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk

Passing on genetic information from parents to children