Plants, like other sexual organisms, inherit a matching set of chromosomes from each parent.
In order to transmit a favorable trait, such as pest or drought resistance, to all their offspring, the plant would have to carry the same genetic variant on each chromosome..
To form a fetus, an egg from the mother and sperm from the father come together.
The egg and sperm each have one half of a set of chromosomes.
The egg and sperm together give the baby the full set of chromosomes.
So, half the baby's DNA comes from the mother and half comes from the father..
Plant genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity specifically in plants.
It is generally considered a field of biology and botany, but intersects frequently with many other life sciences and is strongly linked with the study of information systems..
Our DNA, including all of our genes, is stored in chromosomes, structures where proteins wind up DNA tightly so that it fits in the nucleus.
Humans typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes in our cells..
The study of plant genetics has major economic impacts: many staple crops are genetically modified to increase yields, confer pest and disease resistance, provide resistance to herbicides, or to increase their nutritional value..
Food Science
Advancements in plant genetics and genomics, when used in breeding, help support higher production and cultivation of crops resistant to pests, pathogens, and drought..
