2) Understanding DNA Science

In order to understand how you can eat and exercise for your genes, it is helpful to know some of the basic DNA science. Remember DNA 101 in school? This chapter will cover the basics of what DNA is and will help to build your knowledge on the scientific foundation of genetics. This chapter is adapted from the Lister Hill National Centre for Biomedical Communications, US National Library of Medicine, Genetics Home Reference “Your Guide to Understanding Genetic Conditions”.

Learning objectives:

• Learn about DNA, genes and genetics and why DNA varies.
• Understand the history and applications of genetic testing.
• Learn about cells and DNA code.
• Understand how genes work and what epigenetics is.
• Understand genetic variation and how it affects our health.
• Learn how mutations are classified and what a complex trait is.
• Understand genetic risk or predisposition.
• Learn what a SNP is and understand why genetic variation is necessary.
• Learn about genotype, phenotype and allele.
• Understand genotype frequency and why genotype frequencies differ within different sub-populations.