3.5 Information in cells
What information does a cell contain?
When organisms reproduce, they pass on certain characteristics or genetic traits to their young. These characteristics are contained as genes and are stored in teh thread-like structures in teh cell nucleus.
Our genes control the way our cells grow and function. They also help to build and maintain new cells.
Errors in genes that are passed on can cause problems in the growth and function of our body.
(Studies have shown that some genes can be 'switched on or off' without changing the genes themselves. Some inherited diseases and cancers can now be prevented by making some of these changes tothe genes in our body.)