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Genes, heredity, and environment

Ohoud Alshehri

King Saud University

NUR 543: Child and family development

Dr. Manal Alhamlan

January 8,2023

Genes, heredity, and environment

Outlines:

Genes and what they do?

Human Genome Project

Mitosis, Meiosis, and Fertilization

Chromosome and Gene-Linked Abnormalities

The Interaction of Heredity and Environment

Genetic Foundations of Development

Each of us began life as a single cell. This tiny piece of matter housed our entire

.genetic code, each containing a replica of the original code

?What are genes and what do they do

The nucleus of each human cell contains chromosomes, which are threadlike

.structures made up of DNA

DNA is a complex molecule with a double helix shape, like a spiral staircase, and

.contains genetic information

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Genes, the units of genetic information, are short segments of DNA; they help cells to

.reproduce themselves and assemble proteins

Today, there is a great deal of enthusiasm for efforts to discover the specific

.locations of genes that are linked to certain functions

An essential step in this direction was taken when the Human Genome Project

.completed a preliminary map of the human genome

Human Genome Project

The Human Genome Project was a landmark global scientific effort whose signature

goal was to generate the first sequence of the human genome. Carried out from 1990–

2003, it was one of the most ambitious and essential scientific endeavors in human

.history

?Who implemented the Human Genome Project

Human genome sequencing involved researchers from 20 universities and a separate

research center across the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany,

.Japan, and China

completion of the Human Genome Project has led to the use of the genome wide

association method to identify genetic variations linked to a particular disease, such as

cancer; obesity; cardiovascular disease; depression; suicide; attention deficit

.hyperactivity disorder, and Alzheimer's disease

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The project used a particular method of DNA sequencing Project researchers used a

thoughtful process to recruit volunteers, obtain their informed consent, and collect

.their blood samples

Genes and Chromosomes

All cells in your body, except the sperm and egg, have 46 chromosomes arranged in

.23 pairs

Mitosis, Meiosis, and Fertilization

Mitosis
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Meiosis
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The Genetic Difference Between Males and Females

Notice that the Y chromosome of the male is smaller than the X chromosome of the

.female

Chromosome and Gene-Linked Abnormalities

Some of these abnormalities come from whole chromosomes that do not separate

.properly during meiosis. Others are produced by defective genes

Chromosome Abnormalities

Down Syndrome

An individual with Down syndrome has a round face, a flattened skull, an extra fold

of skin over the eyelids, a thickened tongue, short limbs, and delayed development of

motor and mental abilities. The syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra copy

of chromosome 21. It is not known why the extra chromosome is present, but the

.health of the male sperm or female ovum may be involved

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Sex-Linked Chromosome Abnormalities

Sex-Linked Chromosome Abnormalities Recall that a newborn typically has either an

.X and a Y chromosome or two X chromosomes

The most common sex-linked chromosome abnormalities involve the presence of an

extra chromosome (either an X or a Y) or the absence of one X chromosome in

.females

Gene-Linked Abnormalities

Abnormalities can be produced not only by an odd number of chromosomes but also

.by defective genes

Sickle-cell anemia

.It is a genetic disorder that impairs the functioning of the body’s red blood cells

Diabetes

.This happens when the body does not produce enough insulin

The Interaction of Heredity and Environment

?Is it possible to untangle the influence of heredity from that of the environment

Heredity: the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one

generation to another for example: Color of hair, Color of eyes, Height, IQ, Physical

.strength
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Environment: the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives

or operates, for example: Relationship with family and friends, Religious upbringing,

.Career path

One study found that individuals who have a short version of a gene labeled 5-

HTTLPR (a gene involving the neurotransmitter serotonin) have an elevated

.risk of developing depression only if they also lead stressful lives

Imagine for a moment that there is a cluster of genes that are somehow

associated with youth violence. (This example is hypothetical because we don’t know

of any such combination.) The adolescent who carries this genetic mixture might

experience a world of loving parents, regular nutritious meals, lots of books, and a

series of competent teachers. Or the adolescent’s world might include parental

neglect, a neighborhood in which gunshots and crime are everyday occurrences, and

inadequate schooling. In which of these environments are the adolescent’s genes

?likely to manufacture the biological underpinnings of criminality

Conclusion

Genetic influences on behavior evolved

Some treatments for Chromosome abnormalities do not necessarily erase the problem

but may improve the individual’s adaptive behavior and quality of life

Your physical characteristics do not determine your personality

Reference

Human Genome Project Fact Sheet. (n.d.-b). Genome.gov.

https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/educational-resources/fact-sheets/

human-genome-project
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Santrock, J. (2023). ISE Essentials of Life-Span Development (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill

Education.