The Genetic Legacy of Our Ancestors' Environment and Experiences
Author: Richard O. Straub
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Conventional biology has always believed that our genetic inheritance is set in stone at the time of conception. This BBC video clip first reviews the basic mechanisms of inheritance. Next, it presents evidence that initially confounded researchers working on The Human Genome Project. How can the human species have fewer genes in its genome than do plants? How can two very rare, and very different genetic disorders---Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome—be caused by exactly the same deletion of genes on chromosome 15? The answers to these questions led to an understanding of genetic imprinting, and the emerging field of epigenetics. Genetic inheritance entails more than just which genes are inherited. It involves which genes are expressed and which are silenced.
1. According to conventional biology, our genetic inheritance:
2. Scientists working on the Human Genome Project originally estimated that the
human genome would contain how many genes?
3. Today, scientists estimate that the human genome actually contains how about
many genes?
4. Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome are caused by a deletion of genes
on chromosome:
5. The rare genetic disorder characterized by cognitive disabilities, chronic hunger,
and life-threatening obesity is:
6. The rare genetic disorder characterized by cognitive disabilities, jerky
movements, and an unusually happy demeanor is:
7. The phenomenon in which certain genes are expressed according to their parent
of origin is:
8. The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression
rather than alteration of the genetic code is:
9. Angelman syndrome is caused by a deletion or inactivation of genes inherited
from:
10. Prader-Willi syndrome is caused by a deletion or inactivation of genes inherited
from:
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