Complete the following statements by choosing the appropriate option for each blank:
The basic units of heredity are __________
Topic: Genes as units of heredity
Try it
Pick an option and check your answer. The full worked answer is below either way.
Answer
(c) Genes.
A GENE is the basic unit of heredity — a segment of DNA that carries the information for one particular character and is passed from parent to offspring.
The word BASIC is what decides the question. A CHROMOSOME does carry hereditary material, but each one carries MANY genes, so it is not the basic or smallest unit. Think of the chromosome as the book and the gene as the sentence.
The others: CHROMATIDS are the two identical halves of a duplicated chromosome, not units of heredity. CENTROSOME is an organelle that forms the spindle during cell division, with no hereditary role.
The hierarchy worth holding: DNA → gene → chromosome → nucleus.
Genes.