Genetics is truly a miracle science, the development of which enables humanity to not only effectively run the disease, but also to some extent determine the future, affecting the appearance and intelligence of its offspring.
Currently, genetic scientists are on the verge of incredible discoveries, thanks to which you can find a recipe for eternal youth and generally significantly increase the life expectancy of people.
In addition, genetics are associated with such integral branches of human existence as practical medicine, agriculture, food industry and so on.
Now scientists are actively trying to find methods to directly influence the gene structure of future generations so that people with a certain set of qualities can appear on the light. From all that has been said, we can conclude that genetics is a science of the present and the future, therefore, each of us needs to have at least knowledge of what it is.
We recommend you 10 interesting facts about genetics for a message or project in grade 6 - amazing discoveries by scientists.
10. All living organisms are made up of genes.
Moreover, all people living on Earth are descendants of one group. This is the conclusion made by researchers who studied the genetic variations of monkeys and humans. The DNA of 50 African monkeys contains much more hereditary variations than the DNA of all people on Earth. In addition, scientists concluded that we are all distant descendants of Africans.
9. In which population are there no Neanderthal genes in their own DNA?
The intersection between Neanderthals and modern people occurred several times. Neanderthal DNA was found in the genome of modern populations in Europe and Asia, accounting for 1-4% of the total genome. Neanderthal genes are absent in most modern populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
8. There are butterflies combining signs of both sexes.
Most of us have seen at least once in our lives butterflies with different patterns on the wings (not symmetrical patterns). This sign indicates the presence of an incredible natural phenomenon. The thing is that this the butterfly is a carrier of genes of both sexes, that is, it is a hermaphrodite.
7. Close ties lead to the appearance of weak heirs
We all know about the dangers of intimacy of close relatives. Although, before the emergence of genetics as a science, such a practice was widespread on the European continent, especially in noble circles.
For example, Charles II, king of Spain, had instead of eight great-grandfathers (as should be normal), only four. This of course led to the emergence of a variety of genetic mutations, which subsequently had an extremely negative effect on children born in incestuous tanks.
It is proved that children of people who are not connected by family ties often show a level of physical fitness much higher than any of the parents. This effect is called heterosis or hybrid energy. This also explains the current crossbreeding tendency of pedigree dogs.
6. The DNA of all people matches 99.9%
All life forms on Earth have the same basic genetic structure. The same four foundations — the building blocks of DNA — are found wherever life is. There are two theories that explain this amazing phenomenon. Either these four bases alone can be used to form stable DNA, or there are only two common ancestors in all people living on Earth (which confirms the biblical theory of the origin of life).
5. The emergence of certain types of tumors is associated with a genetic predisposition
Oncogenes, suppressor genes, and mutator genes are genes that turn on or turn off certain signaling pathways in our body and cause cancer with certain negative mutations.. Therefore, malignant tumors arise due to the malfunctioning of genes, which play an important role in cell metabolism.
Due to the increased metabolic rate and the ability of cells to divide, they can degenerate and multiply. For example, in the case of Li-Fraumeni syndrome, the dose of p53 protein changes, which leads to the development of breast cancer, brain tumors, osteosarcoma and leukemia even at a young age. This is due to the fact that p53 protein binds to DNA as a transcription factor and can stimulate its reading.
4.8% of human DNA consists of viruses
Some viruses replicate by inserting their DNA into the cells of their “hosts”. Then its copies are created and thus the virus spreads throughout the body.
However, sometimes when the virus integrates, a mutation occurs that deactivates it. This “dead" virus remains in the genome and is copied every time a cell divides. If the virus integrates into the reproductive cell (ovum or sperm), then it may end up in the progeny cell. Thus, embedded viruses accumulate in the genomes over time.
3. Genetic predisposition
Complex chronic diseases, such as asthma, diabetes, or alcoholism, are caused by multifactorial features, since the interaction between genes and the environment in these cases is crucial.
Genetic predisposition creates the basis for the overall clinical picture of the disease, which is formed under the influence of environmental factors.
2. The most common chromosomal abnormality - Down syndrome
Aneuploidy is a numerical chromosome aberration, as a result of which the number of individual human chromosomes changes. The most famous chromosome aberration, called Down Syndrome, is caused by the fact that chromosomes are not properly distributed during cell division. Such chromosomal abnormalities cause up to 35% of miscarriages.
Scientists have proved the fact that the probability of the birth of such a child is greatly influenced by the age of the future mother: the older the woman, the greater the percentage of the probability of developing Down syndrome in the fetus.
Of course, this does not mean that a young woman in childbirth cannot have a baby with a similar feature, but it is proved that girls under the age of 25 give birth to such a baby with a probability of 1/1400, up to 30 - 1/1000, while future mothers 35 years have much greater risks equal to approximately 1/350. For women over the age of 42, the threat of having a baby with Down syndrome rises to 1/60.
Despite this trend, according to statistics, it is women under 30 who are more likely to give birth to children with this genetic abnormality, but this is due to the fact that they account for the majority of babies born.
1. 3D printing of DNA molecules
It all started with the fact that doctors learned how to print human organs using a 3D printer, which significantly increased the potential of transplantology.
Now, for the first time, geneticists managed to print real DNA of a living organism. So far, such a three-dimensional printer can recreate the structure of extremely primitive life forms, for example, viruses or bacteria, but science does not stand still.
It is interesting that scientists have learned not only to reproduce the structure of DNA, but also to use it as a carrier of information. It is proved that if you use a DNA molecule such as, for example, a well-known flash drive, then it will be possible to store and later read a gigantic amount of information.