What is genetics? And how can it affect our health?

Transcript (90.6 KB)

Have you ever wondered ‘what is genetics?’ You may have heard words like ‘DNA’, ‘gene’ and ‘genetic mutation’, but what exactly do they mean? The words around genetics can seem intimidating, but it is useful to know about how our genes shape us and make us who we are.

Inside each cell in your body is a structure called the nucleus, which contains your DNA. Your DNA contains your genes, half of which are inherited from your mother and the other half from your father. Our genes, much like a recipe book, provide instructions for our body to make essential chemicals called proteins, which have vital functions in the body. Put simply, your genes are the instructions in a recipe book to make you! But what happens when one of the instructions is changed and an ingredient is switched, missing, or used in the wrong amount? The outcome may be a dish that tastes different, or a different dish altogether. We sometimes call this change a ‘genetic mutation’.

In this animated video, we talk about what genetics is, and use a simple cooking analogy to help explain genetic mutations and their potential consequences in the body. While some genetic changes have little or no effect, others can cause problems with a person’s health and development. This is known as a genetic disorder. However, while our genes determine a lot about our characteristics, it is important to remember that our environment and lifestyle choices also play an important role in shaping us.

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