Understanding Nutrition (MindTap Course List)
15th Edition
ISBN: 9781337392693
Author: Eleanor Noss Whitney, Sharon Rady Rolfes
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Chapter 6, Problem 1BCTQ
You may have heard about the diet that is based on a person’s blood type and claims to restore the body’s natural genetic rhythms and improve health. Research may one day reveal exactly which foods might best turn on and off specific genes to defend against specific chronic diseases. No doubt marketers will rush to fill grocery shelves with foods manufactured to match genetic profiles. Why do you think these genetic approaches to diet and health might be more or less appealing than eating patterns that include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk products, and meats?
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Which of the following is the definition of the term named Genes?
a.Refers to genes that have identical alleles
b.Genetic constitution of an organism
c.Alternative form of a gene
d.Trait expressed in the F1 generation
e.Fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity
f.Physical expression of traits of an organism
If our DNA contains all the information about who we are, how can something that does not involve changing the gene sequence cause changes in phenotypes? Describe briefly how these changes happen.
Suppose that you are at a party on Friday night, relaxing after your big genetics exam. Someone comes up to you and, hearing that you just finished your genetics exam, says, “What exactly is a gene?” How would you respond? What are the strengths and weaknesses of your definition of a gene?
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- Mary and Marcie. identical twins, go to the same internist who is also a faculty member at a major medical center. At their last visit, they each received a brochure describing a genetics research program recently launched by the hospital and its affiliated university. Researchers were asking for volunteers to fill out a questionnaire and a consent form, donate a blood sample, and have their medical records encoded and transferred to a database. The goal was to enroll 100,000 participants, and the brochure noted that over 10,000 people had already agreed to participate. The blood sample would be used to extract DNA. which would be encoded with the same number as the medical records. This DNA would be used to search for genes associated with conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and Alzheimer disease. The idea is that researchers interested in studying arthritis would use the medical records to identify which participants have the condition and then use DNA from those individuals to find genetic similarities that are not present in participants who do not have arthritis. The genetic similarities help identify regions of the genome that contain genes associated with arthritis. These regions can then be studied in detail to identify and isolate genes that may be associated with arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. In exchange for enrolling, participants would be informed about any genetic conditions or predispositions to genetic disease they carry and would receive free access to testing. After discussing the brochure. Mary decided to enroll, but Marcie decided she did not want to do so. She said she did not want to know what diseases she may develop or which disease genes she may carry. At their next annual visit. Marys internist told her that because her questionnaire indicated that some relatives had Alzheimer disease, her DNA was used in a study to identify risk genes. He said she had been identified as a carrier of a gene that greatly increased the likelihood that she would develop Alzheimer disease. The physician told her that age was the greatest risk factor, and while it was not 100% certain she would become a victim of Alzheimer disease, the gene she carries is a factor in 2025% of all cases. Mary asked if there was anything she could do about these findings. The internist told her that exercise, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as participating in mentally challenging activities such as reading or playing a musical instrument may all help reduce her chances of developing this disease. Mary then asked if Marcie was going to be told about Marys genetic risk, and the internist said that he would not tell her. For the next few days. Mary was conflicted about the situation. Marcie was an Identical twin, and If Mary carried a gene predisposing her to Alzheimer disease. Marcie must carry the same gene. Marcie did not exercise with Mary, had high blood pressure, and little interest in reading or social activities. Mary did not know whether she should tell Marcie. If you were advising Mary, what would you say? Should she tell Marcie about the risk? Should she not tell her, but instead try to get Marcie to exercise and be more social? Should Mary ask their internist to talk with Marcie about this?arrow_forwardPedigree analysis is a fundamental tool for investigating whether or not a trait is following a Mendelian pattern of inheritance. It can also be used to help identify individuals within a family who may be at risk for the trait. Adam and Sarah, a young couple of Eastern European Jewish ancestry, went to a genetic counselor because they were planning a family and wanted to know what their chances were for having a child with a genetic condition. The genetic counselor took a detailed family history from both of them and discovered several traits in their respective families. Sarahs maternal family history is suggestive of an autosomal dominant pattern of cancer predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer because of the young ages at which her mother and grandmother were diagnosed with their cancers. If a mutant allele that predisposed to breast and ovarian cancer was inherited in Sarahs family, she, her sister, and any of her own future children could be at risk for inheriting this mutation. The counselor told her that genetic testing is available that may help determine if this mutant allele is present in her family members. Adams paternal family history has a very strong pattern of early onset heart disease. An autosomal dominant condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia may be responsible for the large number of deaths from heart disease. As with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, genetic testing is available to see if Adam carries the mutant allele. Testing will give the couple more information about the chances that their children could inherit this mutation. Adam had a first cousin who died from Tay-Sachs disease (TSD), a fatal autosomal recessive condition most commonly found in people of Eastern European Jewish descent. Because TSD is a recessively inherited disorder, both of his cousins parents must have been heterozygous carriers of the mutant allele. If that is the case, Adams father could be a carrier as well. If Adams father carries the mutant TSD allele, it is possible that Adam inherited this mutation. Because Sarah is also of Eastern European Jewish ancestry, she could also be a carrier of the gene, even though no one in her family has been affected with TSD. If Adam and Sarah are both carriers, each of their children would have a 25% chance of being afflicted with TSD. A simple blood test performed on both Sarah and Adam could determine whether they are carriers of this mutation. Would you decide to have a child if the test results said that you carry the mutation for breast and ovarian cancer? The heart disease mutation? The TSD mutation? The heart disease and the mutant alleles?arrow_forwardPedigree analysis is a fundamental tool for investigating whether or not a trait is following a Mendelian pattern of inheritance. It can also be used to help identify individuals within a family who may be at risk for the trait. Adam and Sarah, a young couple of Eastern European Jewish ancestry, went to a genetic counselor because they were planning a family and wanted to know what their chances were for having a child with a genetic condition. The genetic counselor took a detailed family history from both of them and discovered several traits in their respective families. Sarahs maternal family history is suggestive of an autosomal dominant pattern of cancer predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer because of the young ages at which her mother and grandmother were diagnosed with their cancers. If a mutant allele that predisposed to breast and ovarian cancer was inherited in Sarahs family, she, her sister, and any of her own future children could be at risk for inheriting this mutation. The counselor told her that genetic testing is available that may help determine if this mutant allele is present in her family members. Adams paternal family history has a very strong pattern of early onset heart disease. An autosomal dominant condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia may be responsible for the large number of deaths from heart disease. As with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, genetic testing is available to see if Adam carries the mutant allele. Testing will give the couple more information about the chances that their children could inherit this mutation. Adam had a first cousin who died from Tay-Sachs disease (TSD), a fatal autosomal recessive condition most commonly found in people of Eastern European Jewish descent. Because TSD is a recessively inherited disorder, both of his cousins parents must have been heterozygous carriers of the mutant allele. If that is the case, Adams father could be a carrier as well. If Adams father carries the mutant TSD allele, it is possible that Adam inherited this mutation. Because Sarah is also of Eastern European Jewish ancestry, she could also be a carrier of the gene, even though no one in her family has been affected with TSD. If Adam and Sarah are both carriers, each of their children would have a 25% chance of being afflicted with TSD. A simple blood test performed on both Sarah and Adam could determine whether they are carriers of this mutation. Would you want to know the results of the cancer, heart disease, and TSD tests if you were Sarah and Adam? Is it their responsibility as potential parents to gather this type of information before they decide to have a child?arrow_forward
- Pedigree analysis is a fundamental tool for investigating whether or not a trait is following a Mendelian pattern of inheritance. It can also be used to help identify individuals within a family who may be at risk for the trait. Adam and Sarah, a young couple of Eastern European Jewish ancestry, went to a genetic counselor because they were planning a family and wanted to know what their chances were for having a child with a genetic condition. The genetic counselor took a detailed family history from both of them and discovered several traits in their respective families. Sarahs maternal family history is suggestive of an autosomal dominant pattern of cancer predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer because of the young ages at which her mother and grandmother were diagnosed with their cancers. If a mutant allele that predisposed to breast and ovarian cancer was inherited in Sarahs family, she, her sister, and any of her own future children could be at risk for inheriting this mutation. The counselor told her that genetic testing is available that may help determine if this mutant allele is present in her family members. Adams paternal family history has a very strong pattern of early onset heart disease. An autosomal dominant condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia may be responsible for the large number of deaths from heart disease. As with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, genetic testing is available to see if Adam carries the mutant allele. Testing will give the couple more information about the chances that their children could inherit this mutation. Adam had a first cousin who died from Tay-Sachs disease (TSD), a fatal autosomal recessive condition most commonly found in people of Eastern European Jewish descent. Because TSD is a recessively inherited disorder, both of his cousins parents must have been heterozygous carriers of the mutant allele. If that is the case, Adams father could be a carrier as well. If Adams father carries the mutant TSD allele, it is possible that Adam inherited this mutation. Because Sarah is also of Eastern European Jewish ancestry, she could also be a carrier of the gene, even though no one in her family has been affected with TSD. If Adam and Sarah are both carriers, each of their children would have a 25% chance of being afflicted with TSD. A simple blood test performed on both Sarah and Adam could determine whether they are carriers of this mutation. If Sarah carries the mutant cancer allele and Adam carries the mutant heart disease allele, what is the chance that they would have a child who is free of both diseases? Are these good odds?arrow_forwardWill insurance companies be able to deny coverage or even treatment of illnesses that can now be revealed through in utero genetic testing?arrow_forwardA study of three generations in a family of a male colleague of the authors indicated that many of the man's blood relatives had died of cardiovascular accidents and coronary heart disease. Others died of other causes but were affected by high blood pressure. What are the implications of this information for the man in question? b. What information and help might a genetic counselor provide?arrow_forward
- Uniquely explain the process of protein synthesis and the role of DNA in creating individual traits in your own words.arrow_forwardThe ability to roll your tongue. What are the roles of the DNA, genes, and proteins in a given trait? How would you relate the individual trait or characteristics to proteins, genes, and DNA? Would the manifestation of a trait be affected once the DNA nor the genes are altered?arrow_forwardIn the future, gene technology may make it possible for parents to produce children with athletic ability, artistic talent, or high IQ. Do you have any ethical concerns about these possibilities? If so, where and how would you draw the line?arrow_forward
- In humans, a dimple in the chin is a dominant characteristic controlled by a single gene.a. A man who does not have a chin dimple haschildren with a woman with a chin dimple whose mother lacked the dimple. What proportion of theirchildren would be expected to have a chin dimple?b. A man with a chin dimple and a woman who lacksthe dimple produce a child who lacks a dimple.What is the man’s genotype?c. A man with a chin dimple and a nondimpledwoman produce eight children, all having the chindimple. Can you be certain of the man’s genotype?Why or why not? What genotype is more likely,and why?arrow_forwardAccording to Amar J. S. Klar, is there a such thing as “left handedness”? What is the preferred term? Describe how the genetics works, according to his hypothesis. What are the alleles, and which combinations of alleles make for which type of hand use?arrow_forward1.B Which of the following processes takes place in the cytoplasm? - DNA replication - transcription -intron removal -translation -primary mRNA splicing 1.C For a DNA strand that is two nucleotides long, how many different sequences are possible? -2 -4 -8 -16 -64 1.D Which of the following is mismatched? A)physical expression of a trait - phenotype B)allele that masks the expression of an alternate allele - dominant C)identical alleles - heterozygous D)allele whose expression can be masked by an alternate allele recessive E)the specific alleles that an individual has - genotypearrow_forward
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