• Question: What is in your genes and what affects them?

    Asked by ellieeruth to Pete, Rebecca, SallyB, Sally, Sian on 20 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Sally Fenton

      Sally Fenton answered on 20 Jun 2010:

      Genes are made from DNA. You inherit your genes from your parents and they determine what you look like…they make you you! DNA is found in every cell of your body…so your genes are in every cell of your body.

      What you look like is also influenced by the environment though..it is not all down to your genes. For example…your genes might mean you have naturally blonde hair…but you may choose to dye it brown!

      Your genes can become mutated or “broken” by things like tar and tabbacco smoke from cigarettes (these are called carcinogens). When this happens it can cause things like lung cancer!

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