Question

How does DNA help with the transfer of genetic material from parents to offspring?

Answer 1

A child inherits half their DNA from each parent, while each parent passes half their DNA to each child. This is achieved through sexual fertilization, requiring the meeting of the sperm with the egg, and the combining of the DNA from both (since the sperm and egg contain only half the genetic information in the parent). This ensures that families maintain some genetic identity, but also that a child must be genetically different from either parent, or from any of their four grandparents. They will also be genetically different from their brothers and sisters unless they have an identical twin.