According to the NIH, up to 50% of our intelligence is determined by 5 letters, strands of sugar, and phosphate. Although that may sound like quite a ridiculous explanation, a (quick) preliminary dive into genetics today is required before we go further into topics such as epigenetics, eugenics, purines vs pyrimidines, and what exactly helicase is and what it does. Therefore, let us begin.
We, every human being on planet Earth, are stemmed from a common ancestor that was among the San peoples of Africa 150-200 thousand years ago, based on the geneticists' study, likely leading to their incredibly multitudinous diverse gene pools throughout South and Eastern Africa. Mitochondrial Eve(keeping note that mtDNA is passed down via our mothers) was thought to have lived in the Kalahari Desert around this time, and through her all humans descend. So, how does genetics work?
Well, deoxyribonucleic acid is the backbone of the creation and sustainability of all life on Earth. A nucleic acid(one of four biological macromolecules, the others being fats, carbohydrates, and proteins), it has a few major components(the chemistry behind this will be discussed later; if you´re interested, comment below!). Nitrogenous bases, deoxyribose, and phosphate groups. DNA has a double helix structure that is quite identifiable in various media, such as Watson and Crick´s famous DNA model. If this was a lot to take in, you´re not alone! Genetics can be quite complicated but for now, understand the presence of the four main nitrogenous bases and that: adenine (A) will pair will thymine (T), and cytosine (C) will ALWAYS pair with guanine (G). Why does one set have ¨ALWAYS¨ and one does not? You´ll see.
These DNA undergoes transcription into an RNA counterpart. RNA has a couple differences. For one, RNA is single stranded, unlike DNA´s double helix. Second, RNA contains one slightly different but essential base: uracil, which replaces thymine. Therefore, the base pair rule is simple: A pairs with T(or U), and C pairs with G. Because DNA cannot leave the nucleus during translation, the RNA must be translated and must create amino acids in the ribosome(an organelle found throughout the cytoplasm of a cell as well as the endoplasmic reticulum). These amino acids are bonded via peptides and folded to create proteins of various sizes, shapes, and functions that determine our appearance, livelihood, all the way down to our mental health or intelligence(all of these factors are epigenetic, however, meaning factors other than genetics may assist these too). All life on Earth requires genetic code in order to create enzymes, hormones, and other proteins. These proteins aid in life´s required processes such as digestion and respiration.
Genetics and the environment have long since driven life to evolve and grow stronger, both genetically and physically, in an ever changing world and environment. Dinosaurs, birds, primates, fish, and bacteria all have a single common ancestor that, through some level of epic resilience and genetic strength, defied the odds. From survival to failure, life´s secrets, meaning, and history is indeed within every organism on Earth.
I truly hope you will be alongside me this year to discuss it.
Thank you for reading. I plan to, throughout the year, write more blogs and articles about genetics, chemistry, and biology. I hope you found this even remotely interesting.
Written by Tyler Vazquez
Sources:
Reference, Genetics Home. “Is Intelligence Determined by Genetics?”Genetics Home Reference, National Institute of Health, 23 June 2020, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/traits/intelligence.
Reference, Genetics Home. “What Is DNA?”Genetics Home Reference, National Institute of Health, 23 June 2020, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/basics/dna.
Specktor, Brandon. “Scientists Think They’ve Found ‘Mitochondrial Eve’s’ First Homeland.”Live Science, 28 Oct. 2019, www.livescience.com/mitochondrial-eve-first-human-homeland.html.
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