Genetics and Life Span

23 Chromosomes Each parent provides a gene, different genes from each parent are called alleles (a-leels) Some alleles are Dominant and others Recessive, thus not all are expressed So, a person can be a carrier of a trait- which is then passed on to one’s offspring

Alleles Sometimes Alleles are not recessive or dominant, but blend (blood types) Many traits occur due to many genes, not just one

Dominant Gene Alleles Disorders Far sightedness Huntington's Disease Achondroplasia Extra toes or fingers Marfan’s Syndrome Some Glaucomas High Blood Cholesterol

Recessive, Defective Alleles Autism Cystic Fibrosis PKU Galactosemea Tay-Sachs Disease Thalassemia Hemophilia Albinism Growth Hormone Deficiency Near sightedness Dry Eyes Day Blindness

Polygenic Disorders Alzheimer’s Multiple Sclerosis Mental Illness Allergies Cleft Lip Hypertention

Chromosome Abnormalities Down Syndrome

Sex-Linked Recessive Color blindness Hemophilia Baldness Fragile X Muscular Dystrophy SCID

Sex Linked Dominant Albright’s Osteodystrophy Goltz Syndrome Oral-facial-digital syndrome

3 Types of effects genes can have on the Environment 1) Passive 2) Evocative 3) Active

Environment and Genetics Environmental factors regulate hormones Hormones regulate gene’s protein production Proteins are the building blacks of the body and produce: Hormones Neurotransmitters Enzymes All of which effect the way we feel and which produce tendencies or predispositions to behave in certain ways, which effect the environment.

Genetically Predisposed More Sensitive to Environmental Triggers Some will never manifest disorder, while others will

Prenatal Development Genetics We can now detect some disorders prenatally and intervene such as: Spina Bifida Tay-Sachs PKU Hypothyroidism Galactosemia Down Syndrome Hemophilia Cystic Fibrosis And Others

Prenatal Development Environmentally --Teratogens (Alcohol, tobacco, cocaine,pot, AIDS, Lead, OTC meds) Stage of development Mother’s & Babies genes/sensitivity Dose amount Number of risk factor --Nutrition (poor protein, vitamin/minerals) --Stress (cortisol) --Good Medical Care