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Genes are segments of DNA, the molecule that stores our genetic information.
They are found in chromosomes, thread-like structures within the nucleus of our
cells.
Humans have an estimated 20,000-25,000 genes, each with a unique function.
Speaker Notes
Think of genes as the blueprints for building and operating our bodies. They
contain the instructions for making proteins, the workhorses of our cells that
control almost every biological process. Each gene is like a chapter in a book,
encoding specific information for a particular trait or function.
Slide 3
How Genes Work
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The process of gene expression involves two main steps: transcription and
translation.
In transcription, a copy of the gene's DNA sequence is made into RNA (ribonucleic
acid).
RNA then serves as a messenger, carrying the genetic information to the ribosomes,
where translation takes place.
During translation, the RNA code is used to assemble amino acids into proteins.
Speaker Notes
Imagine DNA as a recipe book and RNA as the transcribed recipe. It's then delivered
to the ribosomes, the kitchen, where proteins are assembled like the final dish
based on the instructions in the recipe.
Slide 4
Different Types of Genes
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Slide 5
Genes and Traits
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Genes influence a wide range of our traits, from physical characteristics like eye
color and height to susceptibility to diseases.
However, the environment also plays a role in shaping our traits, interacting with
our genes in complex ways.
For example, a gene may predispose someone to a certain disease, but environmental
factors like diet and lifestyle can influence whether or not the disease develops.
Speaker Notes
Our genes are like a deck of cards we're dealt at birth, containing the potential
for certain traits. But just like playing cards, the final outcome depends on how
we play the hand, influenced by the environment and our own choices.
Slide 6
The Study of Genes: Genetics