Question 1

what are p53 genes?

Accepted Answer

Tumor supression: The p53 gene, is a tumor suppressor gene, i.e., its activity stops the formation of tumors. If a person inherits only one functional copy of the p53 gene from their parents, they are predisposed to cancer and usually develop several independent tumors in a variety of tissues in early adulthood. This condition is rare, and is known as li-fraumeni syndrome.

Question 2

why do genes mutate?

Accepted Answer

Random: Every once in a great while, a random event or some form or radiation or a chemical will cause one or more bases in a strand of dna to differ from its origin. From the point of view of the design of life itself, without the ability of the genes to mutate, new forms of life could not develop by natural selection, but every person with genetic disease or cancer pays the price for this mechanism.

Question 3

do my genes make me fat?

Accepted Answer

Could be: Genetic is one factor that can lead to obesity.

Question 4

how do genes affect the way i age?

Accepted Answer

Important: Genes are an important aspect of aging.

Question 5

do genes determine aversions to foods?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Certain genes allow foods to 'taste' the way they do to people. Though the majority of taste preferences are learned behaviors.

Question 6

do your genes determine your personality?

Accepted Answer

Nature and nurture: Like most things, both genetic susceptibility and environmental influences together effect a number of human traits, including personality.

Question 7

can i control which genes will be turned on?

Accepted Answer

Gene activation: Turning on and off different genes is a complex process. Some genes turn on 50 years after birth and some are switched off at different phases of our life. We stop growing, we develop hypertension and we may have a genetically associated disease or cancer. There is no way i know of to turn genes on or off. Maybe thats how exercise and weight loss work though. Who knows.

Question 8

what happens when your p53 genes are overactive?

Accepted Answer

Bad information: Mutated p53 passed from parent to child is underactive and predisposes one to early and unusual cancers. As a cancer develops, p53 activity is often lost through mutation. There's a mutant mouse with overactive p53 that seems to age rapidly because p53 clears cells that may be injured. Don't worry about it.

Question 9

what are hox genes and their role in development?

Accepted Answer

Hox genes: not enough room here to give good answer. I would go to wikipedia and then if you need more information go yto https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ and search hox genes AND reviews.

Question 10

how does a cell know which genes to turn on when?

Accepted Answer

Mostly unknown: We are aware that this happens and that the cell grows and matures by turning on and off genes.  The biochemical means by which this is done is mostly unknown and is the subject of intense research.  The answer to this probably will allow much improved therapy and probably ways to treat conditions such as cancer which involves the wrong genes being activated.

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A member asked:

What are p53 genes?

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Why do genes mutate?

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Do my genes make me fat?

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How do genes affect the way i age?

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Do genes determine aversions to foods?

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Do your genes determine your personality?

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Can i control which genes will be turned on?

A member asked:

What happens when your p53 genes are overactive?

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What are hox genes and their role in development?

A member asked:

How does a cell know which genes to turn on when?

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