NCERT Solutions Class 10 Science Chapter 8 Heredity 

The chapter Heredity introduces the basic ideas regarding the topics of inheritance and variation. Class 10 science heredity and evolution introduces about the genes and how the qualities are transmitted from one generation to another and how they are affected by the genes that they possess. Further, also covers topics such as Mendel’s experiments, the law of inheritance and evolution.

As per the heredity Class 10 NCERT Solutions, every concept is explained in a detailed and concise manner to make a student’s understanding more solid. Heredity class 10 solutions offer a thorough explanation of how to answer all the questions from the textbook in question, complete with numbered steps. Through class 10 heredity NCERT solutions, students may actually develop their problem-solving skills and thus, they will gain more marks in their exams since heredity is not only an important lesson for CBSE exams but also for competitive exams. 

1.0Download Class 10 Science NCERT Solutions Chapter 8 - Heredity PDF

Students can find the hereditary class 10 NCERT solutions from the table below which are available to be downloaded in pdf format for easy accessibility to students. 

2.0Heredity: Passing Traits Across Generations

• Heredity is the process through which traits are passed from parents to offspring, ensuring the continuity of biological characteristics across generations.
• Genes are specific sequences of nucleotides within DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that encode instructions for building proteins or RNA molecules.
• Chromosomes are thread-like structures composed of DNA tightly coiled around proteins called histones. The number and structure of chromosomes vary across species. 
• During sexual reproduction, a process that combines genetic material from two parents, new combinations of genes are created, leading to greater variation among offspring.

3.0Sex Determination

What Will Students Learn in Chapter 8: Heredity?

• Learning about Gregor Mendel and his experiments of pea plants, the dominance of one trait over another and how traits are inherited by offspring.
• Understanding single-trait or monohybrid, and two-trait or dihybrid inheritance, and examples of each.
• Studying one of the key questions of evolution – how and why different traits evolve among members of the same species.
• Explaining the mechanisms of sex determination in humans and other organisms, the basic biology of determining the sex of an offspring.
• Understanding the types of hereditary diseases and patterns of their heritability.
• Understanding of key ideas about evolution, natural selection and how desirable characteristics are developed and spread through different generations.

4.0NCERT Solutions Class 10 Science Chapter 8 Heredity - Detailed Solutions

1. A Mendelian experiment consisted of breeding tall pea plants bearing violet flowers with short pea plants bearing white flowers. The progeny all bear violet flowers, but almost half of them were short. This suggests that the genetic make-up of the tall parent can be depicted as:

(1) TTWW

(2) TTww

(3) TtWW

(4) TtWw

Ans. (3) TtWW

2. Outline a project which aims to find the dominant coat colour in dogs.

Observation table

Ans. Project: To find out the dominant coat colour in dogs.

Material required: Notebook, pencil.

Procedure: Observe different colors of pet dogs kept by your friends and note their different coat colour.

You may be able to find different coat colours such as, grey, white, black, brown, etc. Note your reading in the observation table.

Make a survey of different populations to determine the frequency of different coat colours in dogs. Find the percentage distribution of each coat type, out of the total number of dogs studied for the coat colour.

Total number of dogs studied = % of grey dogs = 

% of Black/brown dogs = % of White dogs = 

Conclusion: Draw conclusions on the basis of your data collected.

Let us assume in dogs, the coat/skin colour grey is found in more numbers, while black/brown are in less number. In dogs, the gene for the coat colour is present on ' X ' chromosomes, in dogs, for the recessive colour to express, both the ' X ' chromosomes must carry the genes for the recessive coat colour which is possible in less numbers. Thus black/brown colour is a recessive character for coat colour in dogs, the dominant colour (with high % of individuals) can express both in homozygous and heterozygous form in dogs. Therefore, the dominant coat colour in dogs is grey.

3. How is the equal genetic contribution of male and female parents ensured in the progeny?

Ans. Genetically organisms are of two types:

(i) Haploid: They have a single set of chromosomes, where each chromosome is represented singly. As the chromosomes are the bearer of genes so haploids have a single set of genes. A single gene determines the expression of character.

(ii) Diploid: They have two sets of homologous chromosomes, where the chromosome occurs in pairs, one maternal part contributed by the mother through her ovum and the second chromosome of the pair is contributed by the male parent through his sperm.

The resultant cell zygote produced by the fusion of male and female gametes has two sets of chromosomes, each set contributed by each parent. In diploids a character is controlled by two genes factors. Both the father and mother contribute practically equal amounts of genetic material to the child. It means that each trait can be influenced by both paternal and maternal DNA.

5.0Benefits of Studying Chapter 8 - Heredity in Class 10 Science

• They provide step-by-step explanations, making it easier for students to grasp the principles of heredity and evolution.
• Working through the solutions helps students reinforce the concepts learned in the textbook.
• Students can familiarize themselves with the types of questions asked in exams and learn effective answering techniques.
• They help build a strong foundation in the fundamental principles of heredity, including Mendel's laws, genetic variations, and evolution.
• Having access to reliable solutions can reduce exam-related stress and boost students' confidence.