Chapter 3 Summary

The topics covered in this chapter can be summarized as follows:

• The asexual transmission of genetic information is accomplished in a process called Mitosis.
• The process of mitosis can be divided into Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase.
• Mitosis reduces the c-number, but not the n-number of the daughter cells.
• Not all the DNA in an organism codes for genes. In most higher eukaryotes most DNA is non-gene coding and appears to have no specific function and is called “junk” DNA.
• The c-value paradox refers to the observation that the amount of DNA is not necessarily related to the complexity of the organism.
• The c-value is the amount of DNA in a gamete. Humans are 1c = 3000 Mb.
• The n-value is the number of chromosomes in a gamete. Humans are 1n = 23.
• A typical cell in your body is 2c = 6000 Mb and 2n = 46 before DNA replication and 4c = 12 000 Mb and 2n = 46 after.