All living things reproduce by having young, but they do this in a variety of ways. Some animals give birth to live young while others lay eggs. Plants produce seeds or spores. Bacteria simply divide in two. When living things reproduce, they pass on genes that will determine how the offspring look and how their body functions. This book looks at reproduction and genetics (the study of how genes are passed from one generation to the next).This series covers the fundamental life-science concepts of biology, ecology, evolution, genetics, cell biology, and life-forms, including humans. From the building blocks of cells and the basics of genetic theory through the structure, anatomy, and behavior of living organisms, this series tells the story of life in all its forms.