Genetics

Genetics is the study of how living things get their traits. Traits are things like eye color, hair color, and height. You got your traits from your mom and dad. The instructions for these traits are stored in tiny parts of your cells called genes.

Genes and DNA

Genes are made of a special thing called DNA. DNA looks like a twisted ladder. It has a code that tells your body how to grow. Every living thing has DNA, even tiny bugs and big trees. Humans have about 20,000 genes.

An old portrait of Imre Festetics, an early genetics researcher.
An old portrait of Imre Festetics, an early genetics researcher. (August Friedrich Oelenhainz (1745–1804) / Wikimedia Commons)

Traits from Parents

You get half of your genes from your mom and half from your dad. That is why you might have your mom's eyes and your dad's smile. Some traits, like dimples, are common in families. Brothers and sisters share genes but are not always alike.

Fun Facts

  • Identical twins have almost the same DNA.
  • You share about half your genes with a banana.
  • Gregor Mendel, a monk, learned about genes by studying pea plants.

Did You Know?

If you stretched out all the DNA in your body, it would reach to the sun and back many times.