12 - Genetic and Athletic Preformance Flashcards
Outline the role of genes in the inheritance of human characteristics
- Chromosomes are mainly made of DNA sections which are referred to as genes
- DNA undergoes replication as part of cell division to pass on the genes to allow new cells
- children inherit genes from their parents via sex cells with 50% from the mother and 50% from the father. There’s millions of different combinations of these genes from the same parent
- human characteristics (phenotype) are determined by their genes (genotype)
- human characteristics are expressed developmentally as genes others also require an environmental switch
Phenotype
The physical appearance of an organism distinguished from heir genetic makeup
- zebras stripes
- height
- hair colour
- win length
Genotype
Refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, describes a complete set of genes
Outline how genes can influence human characteristics
- genes code for the production of proteins which are responsible for the development of an individual
- genes can be switched on and off depending on internal and external factors so that characteristic influencing athletic performance can change during a persons life time
- multiple genes determines the measurable heritable characteristics for each individual so it is highly unlikely that a single or even a few genetic elements are associated with superior athletic performance
Genetic factors
Variation that is passed down from parents to offspring via genes during reproduction l, inherited variation.
Genetic factors examples
- anaerobic threshold
- flexibility
- muscle fiber type
- height
- lung capacity
Environmental factor
Variation that’s a result of differed in the surroundings or what an individual does, environmental variation.
Environmental factors example
- physical training
- nutrition
- climate
- technological aids
Training maximizes the likelihood of performance level with a genetically co trolled ceiling
Elite athletes can be distinguished from less well performing athletes from both inherited characteristics and training history
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Genetic screening
The study of a persons DNA in order to identify differences or susceptibility to particular diseases or abnormalities
Discuss the implications of genetic screening for sport, health, exercise and health
- the identification of life threatening conditions such as risk of cardiac death, connective tissue disorder
- the potential to predict susceptibility to injury or reduce risk / improve safety for an individual athlete
- ethical implications of involuntary exclusion from discrimination
- ethical implications beyond sport such as employment
- the possibility of gene doling in the future to improve athletic performance
