Learn on PengiAmplify Science (California) Grade 8Chapter 2: Natural Selection and Reproduction

Lesson 1: Inheritance of Traits

Key Idea.

Section 1

The Blueprint (Genes and Proteins)

Key Idea

Why do traits get passed down?

Cells contain genes, which are instructions for building protein molecules.

Section 2

Inheritance

Key Idea

Organisms do not build their genes from scratch; they inherit them from their parents during reproduction.

This is why the survival of parents matters. If only the high-poison newts survive today, they pass their "high-poison genes" to the babies of tomorrow. The traits of the future population are determined by who reproduces today.

Lesson overview

Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.

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Section 1

The Blueprint (Genes and Proteins)

Key Idea

Why do traits get passed down?

Cells contain genes, which are instructions for building protein molecules.

Section 2

Inheritance

Key Idea

Organisms do not build their genes from scratch; they inherit them from their parents during reproduction.

This is why the survival of parents matters. If only the high-poison newts survive today, they pass their "high-poison genes" to the babies of tomorrow. The traits of the future population are determined by who reproduces today.