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What Is Genetics?
Genetics is the study of how living things pass
certain traits, or qualities, to their offspring.
A trait that is passed down from generation to
generation is called an
inherited trait
. For
example, two parents with brown eyes will
probably have a child with brown eyes.
Barbara McClintock continued working until her death in 1992 at
the age of 90. She was always very independent and sure of herself. She
spoke out about the lack of opportunities for women scientists. And she
was never bitter about all the years she was ignored. “If you know you’re
right, you don’t care,” she said.
In 2005, the US Postal Service issued
the American Scientists stamp series
to celebrate the lives of four important
scientists. McClintock was one of
these scientists. A member of the US
Postal Service board introduced the
stamps with these words: “These are
some of the greatest scientists of our
time. Their pioneering discoveries still
influence our lives today.”
Thinking about Genetics
1.
What does a geneticist study?
2.
What is an inherited trait?
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