Transcript Genes Vs. Environment PPT

Genes vs. Environment
(Nature vs. Nurture)
• Your characteristics (phenotypes) are
often a combination of your genotype
(genetics) and your environment.
• Both play an interactive role in determining
your health.
Examples
1. Lung/mouth cancer and tobacco use
•
There are “cancer” genes that make you more
likely to get certain cancers, but …
•
Lung/mouth cancer is PRIMARILY caused by
ENVIRONMENTAL exposure to tobacco
products. These products mutate DNA to
cause uncontrolled cell division.
Pictures of Cancers Caused by
Tobacco Product Use
Examples
2.
Skin cancer/sun exposure/ folic
acid/vitamin D
• Some people are genetically more susceptible to
skin cancer – red/blond hair, fair skin.
• Environmentally, increased sun exposure
increases the risk of skin cancer.
Examples
• Consuming folic acid (dark green, leafy
vegetables, dried beans and peas, vitamins)
reduces your sensitivity to sun.
• Sun exposure causes the skin to produce
vitamin D. Vitamin D can prevent or treat many
types of cancer, including skin cancer. So, 15
minutes of mild sun exposure a few times a
week may be good for you!
Examples
3.
Diabetes/Diet/Exercise
• Diabetes Types 1 and 2 are both genetic
disorders.
• Type 1 is called juvenile-onset diabetes. The
lack of insulin production has very little to do with
environment.
• Type 2 usually occurs after age 40 and its onset
is usually brought on by obesity. It can be
controlled by a proper diet and exercise.
Examples
Uncontrolled diabetes can
result in dehydration,
kidney damage,
circulatory and nervous
system failure, diabetic
coma, and death.
Examples
4. PKU and diet
• PKU is a recessive genetic disorder that
can cause brain damage. However,
symptoms of PKU can be controlled or
eliminated by giving the baby a diet low in
phenylalanine (milk, high protein, etc.)
Examples
5. Heart disease – leading cause of death in US
• Heart disease can be genetically influenced (“run
in your family”)
• A person’s diet, exercise, and smoking habits also
affect this.
• Warning signs are high blood pressure and high
cholersterol.
Examples
1. Sickle cell anemia and malaria
•
SCA is a serious (sometimes deadly) genetic
disease, but having SCA or being a carrier for
SCA is an advantage against malaria (a
communicable disease).