Genes: How important are they?
What’s your eye color? What about your hair?And your height? Did you know it’s possible to guess accurately how you will look and be by looking at your parents?
Have you ever noticed how similar you are with your siblings? That magic is the work of a magician called the Human genome.
All living things are made up of cells. Each cell has generic material called DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid.
Computer code determines what program will run. Your genes determine how you will be, what you will do.
Gene is the basic structural(physical) and functional unit of your hereditary plan.
Gene is a short sequence of DNA having multiple combinations of chemicals called bases.
Four different types of bases ATCG’ Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine are found in DNA.
Some genes help code for specific proteins, but some don’t. Every person gets two copies of each gene, one from each parent. That way we are doubly sure that all the necessary work gets done.
The human genome project was ambitious and took years to complete. It mapped approximately 20,000 genes in the human genome.
Most of our cells except reproductive cells (ova and sperm) contain 46 chromosomes or 23 pairs. 22 pairs are autosomal. They are the same. The last pair is called the sex chromosome.
Watson and Crick are two scientists who discovered the double-helix model (like a spiraling staircase) of the human genome)
Most common karyotype compatible for life are :
- XX Female
- XY Male
- XO Turner Syndrome also called Gonadotropin dysgenesis
- XXY Klinefelter syndrome.
- XYY
- XXXY
The various different gender identification topics are beyond the scope of this article and need another post.)
But the exciting part about genetics is it’s microscopic and crucial—both the sperm father and ova mother supply the genetic traits that a child will have. But the result of this combination is more than an addition product and is always unique. That’s why siblings are different with certain common traits.
Most humans have 99% similar genetic traits. 98%of human gene match with the chimpanzee.
Both nature and nurture are essential when it comes to personality. Both physical and mental health parameters gave genetic components.
It’s vital to get prenuptial screening done for Thalassemia. If both parents carry the trait, then there’s a 25% chance of the child having beta Thalassemia major.
Genetic screening for diseases like Down’s syndrome, Edward’s syndrome are important during pregnancy. Addiction and substance abuse also have hereditary tendencies.
Colon cancer, too, has high genetic correlations, and that’s why it’s essential to know about genetic counseling. Preventive healthcare helps in such cases.
Single gene disorder- Sickle cell anemia
Complex gene disorder: Certain cancers come in gene clusters, colon cancer
Chromosomal disorder-Changed, extra or Missing parts of chromosomes like Downs syndrome .
Commonest genetic disorders in India are
- Downs syndrome,
- Thalassemia,
- Sickle cell anemia,
- Cystic fibrosis,
- Tay Sachs disease.
A database for Indian genetic disorders 2.0 version is soon going to be available here http://www.igdd.iicb.res.in/
Check out this list of genetic diseases for more .
This is part of the Blogchatter A2Z Human body series.
Posts in the Veggies for Life series
Asparagus: Also a medicinal plant
Beetroot: Benefits and worries
Health Food not so healthy:Myth of food labels
Joints: Anti-inflammatory diet
Processed food &Truth about your health
This knowledge about pre nuptial testing and per pregnancy testing will be of great help for many. Thanks for sheading light on some important factors.