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Hey Mia, have you ever noticed that I have the exact same dimples as my mom? |
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Oh really? That’s so cute! I actually got my dad’s nose. It’s funny how little things like that get passed down. |
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Yeah, it’s all in the genes, right? I’ve been reading about genetics lately. It’s amazing how our DNA influences so much about our appearance. |
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Totally. Genes are like tiny instructions inside our cells that tell our bodies how to grow and function. |
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Exactly. And when our cells divide, the DNA has to make an exact copy of itself so the new cell gets the same instructions. |
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But sometimes there are little mistakes during that copying process, right? |
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Yes, and those are called mutations. Most of them don’t really do much, but every now and then, one can change a gene in a way that affects how we look or how our body works./td> |
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I read that some mutations can actually be helpful, like making someone more resistant to a disease. |
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Yeah! That’s how evolution happens—useful mutations can get passed down over generations. But of course, some mutations are harmful, like the ones that cause genetic disorders. |
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So basically, every time our cells divide, there’s a chance something could change. It’s kind of scary, but also cool how our bodies usually fix those mistakes. |
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Right. Our cells have repair systems that catch most errors. But nothing’s perfect. And genes don’t just affect how we look—they can influence how fast we grow, our chances of getting certain diseases, even how we respond to medication. |
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Hmm… If there’s a “study genius” gene, I don’t think I inherited it. |
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Same here. I think I got the “procrastinate until the last minute” gene instead. But hey, even if genes play a role, effort and environment make a huge difference. |
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True. I guess we can’t blame our DNA for everything. |
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Exactly. Hard work might not be in our genes, but it still pays off! |
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