Health Matters; (Genes and Genetics)

In a family it is either a child who resembles his/her father or mother in my family we have those who look like my father and those who look like my mother.

Source

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What makes you unique, like having your mom's eyes or your dad's smile?

I am a carbon copy of my mom's which people often say I do smile like my mom's and have eyes like her. What makes me unique is how I and my mom's look so alike and have things in common. Seeing my mother and I fire the first you will know that she is the one that gave birth to me.

Looking at the pictures above which are my and my mom's you can see the resemblance and my mom's. My eyes and smile are like that of my mom's.

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Why do some diseases run in families, like diabetes or heart conditions?

Some diseases, like diabetes or heart conditions, run in families due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors:

Genetics:
Certain genes can increase a person's susceptibility to developing specific diseases. To this, if a family member carries a gene that is associated with a condition like diabetes or heart conditions, there is a higher chance that other relatives might inherit that same genetic predisposition.

• Shared environment:

• Families often share the same lifestyles, such as physical activity, diet, and habits. For example, if a family has a poor diet high processed food, or if smoking and lack of exercise it can contribute to obesity and heart disease.

• Inherited risk factors:
  Beyond specific diseases, families may inherit traits like high blood pressure, high insulin or cholesterol which are risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.

Epigenetics:
This refers to how our environmental factors can influence gene expression. For instance, poor diet as we have said earlier, or stress can affect how certain genes related to disease are activated, potentially leading to increased risk in family members.

Genetics okay a vital role, and environment and lifestyle are also key contributors to why these conditions may appear more commonly in some families.

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How do genes decide things like hair color, eye color, or even how tall you'll be?

Genes determine traits like hair color, eye color, and height by providing instructions for how proteins in our body are made and function. Below is how it works.

Genes and DNA: My genes are made up of DNA, which acts like a blueprint for my body. Each gene contains instructions for producing proteins that play specific roles in my body's appearance, functioning, and development.

Hair and Eye Color: This trait is determined by the amount and type of pigment my body produces, which is controlled by different genes. For instance, higher melanin levels can lead to darker hair and Eye colors.

Height (tall): Height is influenced by many genes, and not just one or two genes but many. These genes affect things like bone growth, hormone production, and how my body uses nutrients. Height is also affected by environmental factors such as nutrition during we take during childhood.

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Have you heard about DNA testing? How can it reveal your ancestry or health risks?

Yes, I have heard about DNA testing, but I have done the testing before. DNA testing can reveal both my ancestry and potential health risks by analyzing my genetic material to identify markers related to my family history and health.

Ancestry

DNA testing can reveal my ancestry by comparing my genetic code to large databases of genetic information from populations around the world. Below is how it works.

• Specify my pattern in DNA through a means called maker which is associated with different ethnic groups
• Hallo groups are done through the paternal line.
• Relative matching DNA can also match me with people who share genetic similarities with me helping to find who is by blood brother or sister.

Health Risk

DNA can assess my risk for certain health conditions such as:

• Genetic predisposition
• Carrier status
• Pharmacogenetics
• Lifestyle and Wellness

For me to do DNA testing I will need to provide a sample of my saliva or cheek swab, that contains my DNA. The testing hospital can then analyze the sample and compare my DNA to known genetic patterns associated with ancestry or health risks.

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I am inviting: @dove11, @dave-hanny, and @jasminemary

Cc:-
@sahmie