HL Chapter 12 - Genetics and Sport

• nucleus is inside of the cell • chromosomes are inside of the nucleus • chromosomes are packaged DNA for storage • in chromosomes there are genes • a section of DNA is a gene, a gene has the info to make protein

50% mom (egg with 23 chromosomes) + 50% dad (sperm with 23 chromosomes) = you (zygote with 46 chromosomes)

each time we make a new cell * each cells has to have the full DNA instructions

• Genotype (the information) –> The genes you have –> 2 recessive genes –> 1 dominant / 1 recessive –> 2 dominant • Phenotype (what it results in) * Characteristics the genes make Examples: - Earlobes detached - Brown hair - Interlocking thumb on top

DNA – (transcription) –> RNA – (translation) –> amino acid chain – (folding) –> protein

• Genes code for proteins • Proteins are what cause the phenotype • No such thing as an athletic gene as it is all about a combination of genes that lead to trait • Many genes cause a single trait • Can’t say you have a trait for a specific physical attribute • Traits are caused by many genes Genes on/off: * Some genes are always on * Some genes can be turned on and off Examples: * Balance with age - impact performance - Genes that lead to muscle development start to get turned off and proprioception → Impacts balance * Gene for hair pigmentation can get turned off

• Genes give you the range of possibilities for an athletic attribute → environmental factors set where you end up in a range —> Genes say your max potential is in the 20-50 range. With environmental factors you get your actual max. Example: • Sleep, Nutrition, Training, Air pollution • Even with training you will never get higher than your genetic potential

• Sleep • Nutrition • Stress levels • Relationships • Air pollution • Hydration • Activity level → training • Climate • Stretching • Warm up

• Height • Arm length • Leg length • Muscle length • Gender • Muscle fiber type/quantity • Muscle insertion location • Lung capacity • Flexibility → natural looseners of tendons • Genetic diseases → heart/asthma/diabetes

• Taking a sample of a person’s DNA and with technology scanning it to look for specific genes and or types of genes. • This can then tell the scientists what proteins are / are not being made which influences phenotype.

Pros: * Nutrition * Detect doping * Identify health risks (heart) * Predict injury risk Cons: * Know everything → discrimination, exclusion, employment impacts Limitations: (why genetic screening does not work for improved athletic performance) * Motivation is not considered * Environmental factors

the process of artificially altering your genes to enhance performance