How Do Genes Affect Our Health?

Genetics Unit Questions What is a gene? What is a gene? How do genes mutate? How do genes mutate? What possible traits or diseases do we inherit from our genetic code? What possible traits or diseases do we inherit from our genetic code? Are genes our destiny? Are genes our destiny?

Genetics By Deana Vernon

Overview Basic genetics. Basic genetics. The Human Genome Project The Human Genome Project Genes mutations. Genes mutations. Inheritable conditions and environmental factors. Inheritable conditions and environmental factors. What you can do, if anything, about your genes. What you can do, if anything, about your genes.

What is a gene? A Gene is a basic unit of heredity found in the cells of all living organisms. A Gene is a basic unit of heredity found in the cells of all living organisms. Genes are composed of long strings of DNA, a molecule that forms the long, threadlike structures called chromosomes. Genes are composed of long strings of DNA, a molecule that forms the long, threadlike structures called chromosomes. Genes are like sentences made Genes are like sentences made of the “letters” of the nucleotide alphabet, between them, genes direct the physical development & behavior of an organism.

Gene

Human Genome Project The Human Genome Project: An international research project design to sequence and map the genome of all homo sapiens. Completed in April Genome codeGenome code. Genome code

How do genes mutate? 1) You can inherit a single gene mutation called an inheritable condition. or 2) A gene can mutate any time after birth called multi-factual inheritable disorder.

Several inheritable conditions: inheritable conditionsinheritable conditions Huntington Disease Huntington Disease Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis Sickle Cell Anemia Sickle Cell Anemia Sickle Cell Anemia Sickle Cell Anemia Fragile X Syndrome Fragile X Syndrome Hemophilia Hemophilia Anti-trypsin deficiency Anti-trypsin deficiency Leber hereditary optic neuropathy Leber hereditary optic neuropathy

Several multi-factual disorders: multi-factual disordersmulti-factual disorders Heart disease Heart disease Diabetes Diabetes Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Certain types of Cancers Certain types of Cancers Certain types of addictions Certain types of addictionsaddictions Multi-factual disorders are also difficult to study and treat because specific factors that cause these disorders have not yet been identified. Multi-factual disorders are also difficult to study and treat because specific factors that cause these disorders have not yet been identified. Genes are thought to behave (express) differently because of environmental factors. Genes are thought to behave (express) differently because of environmental factors.

Are genes our destiny? Genetic inheritance of multi-factual disorders: Genetic inheritance of multi-factual disorders: is only part of the story. is only part of the story. cannot be changed yet. cannot be changed yet.But……. Environmental risk Environmental risk carry more weight than genetic risk. carry more weight than genetic risk. can be controlled. can be controlled.So…….. Eat right, watch your weight, use alcohol in moderation and DO NOT SMOKE.

So…… What will I inherit?

Knowledge is power! Know your genetic profile. Create your own genetic profile at

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