Chromosomes
Chromosomes are tiny threads inside each cell that carry the genes which shape how living things look and grow.
A recipe box holds many cards. Each card has steps for one dish. Your cell works the same way. Chromosomes are the cards inside it — each one holds genes that tell your body how to grow. You have 46 of these cards in every cell.
Explaining chromosomes by grade level
Each cell in your body holds small threads. These threads carry genes. Genes are like a set of plans for your body. They tell it what color eyes or hair to make. A made-up dragon has plans too, for what wings or tail to grow.
Projects that explore chromosomes
Every chromosome carries genes at specific spots called loci, and each gene comes in at least two versions called alleles. Drawing a chromosome and marking these loci along it shows how tiny threads inside cells organize the instructions for traits. When you predict what happens after someone inherits one dominant and one recessive copy, you see how genes on chromosomes shape the way living things look.
Each chromosome is a tiny thread carrying genes that determine specific traits, and offspring receive one copy from each parent. You and a partner each pick up a set of dragon chromosomes, then drop each stick to randomly select which gene passes to the baby. Decoding every gene pair to find out what the baby looks like shows how chromosomes shape the appearance of living things.