Mechanism of Heredity:

(i) Mating:

Mating is the 1st step for reproduction. The union of male sperm with female ovum results is the zygote.

(ii) Growth:

It involves repeated division of the fertilized cell or zygote.

(iii) Chromosomes:

Every woman and man receive 23 chromosomes from each parent or 46 in all.

(iv) Genes:

Each chromosome consists of small particles numbering 40 to 100 which are called genes.

(v) Chance factor:

Both ovum and sperm before fertilization contain 23 pairs of chromosomes each. At the time of conception, the genes in the chromosomes of the sperm, pair the genes of other vum and determine the potential characteristics and qualities of the offspring. The result of the union of the genes is called heredity.