What are genes and how do we get them?
Genes are segments of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that carry the instructions for making proteins, which are the building blocks of our bodies. They determine our traits, such as eye color, height, and susceptibility to certain diseases.
We inherit genes from our biological parents through the process of reproduction. Each human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, and genes are located on these chromosomes. Half of our chromosomes come from our mother and the other half from our father. When an egg cell from the mother is fertilized by a sperm cell from the father, they combine to form a single cell called a zygote. This zygote then begins to divide and grow into a full-fledged human being. During this process, the genes from both parents mix and determine the genetic makeup of the individual. Thus, our genes are a result of the combination of genes from our biological parents.