In sickness and in health

This article stresses the importance of genetics in many diseases. For example, in cystic fibrosis, a single mutation in a single is enough to cause the disease. Other examples derive from a subtler cause, such as diabetes and asthma, which are caused by our slight and subtle genetic influence. Our class just took a test on DNA transcription, translation, and an introduction to genetics. In the latter, we explore the basis of genetic mutation, particularly base substitution mutation. This topic ties back to the article when it mentions a disorder that affects the blood’s oxygen carrying protein hemoglobin. According to the topic we’re learning, the disorder that derives from the base substitution mutation that affects the hemoglobin’s shape is known as sickle cell anemia since its shape looks like a sickle cell and thus has a harder time carrying oxygen throughout the entire body.