America 1950-1959: Science and Technology Research Article from American Decades

This Study Guide consists of approximately 73 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of America 1950-1959.

America 1950-1959: Science and Technology Research Article from American Decades

This Study Guide consists of approximately 73 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of America 1950-1959.
This section contains 189 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page)
Buy the America 1950-1959: Science and Technology Encyclopedia Article

The Purpose of Sex.

Scientifically, sex has a single purpose: to pass on one's genes to a new generation. The genes are part of the DNA molecules, the basis of heredity within each cell. In turn, the DNA is packaged into structures called chromosomes. Every species of animal and plant has a certain number of such chromosomes within each of its cells. Remarkably, it was not until 1956 that the number of human chromosomes was correctly determined.

Background.

In 1865 Gregor Mendel published his famous work on genetics in which he used garden peas in his experiments. Mendel showed that certain characteristics of the peas were inherited in predictable ways. Some traits were dominant and others recessive. If two pea plants are crossed, for example, one might have a dominant trait that determines the shape of the pea while the other might have a...

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This section contains 189 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page)
Buy the America 1950-1959: Science and Technology Encyclopedia Article
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America 1950-1959: Science and Technology from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.