You're
Full of Genes
Did you know your body is made up of millions and millions and billions and billions and trillions and trillions of cells, and that each one of these cells contains thousands and thousands of genes? It’s true!
So, what’s a gene? In this book, you’ll meet three special characters who have the answer to this question. Read along to learn about the story of one special gene, and how your genes make you you.
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Meet the characters
TTAGCAGTATAT
Or T-TAG for short. He’s a gene (sounds like “jean”)—one of trillions in our bodies. We can’t see them, but they live inside the chromosomes in our cells. A gene plays an important part in determining how we look: whether we have curly hair or blue eyes or can roll our tongues a certain way. We inherit these traits from our parents. T-TAG is a dominant gene. We know this because all the letters in his name are capitalized. Follow his journey with us!
DNA Polymerase
This enzyme, found in our bodies, helps replicate DNA to form the different parts of our bodies. Some parts are replicating all the time, like our nails. Others, like our brains, stop once they’re complete. We might call her the “cooking” enzyme. She cooks up new version of genes, making all their parts stick together, until the cell has your “genetic code.” That’s a big job for one enzyme!
Cas9
This enzyme is used by scientists to edit parts of your genetic code. Think of him as a pair of scissors. He can treat diseases by cutting out bad genes so scientists can put in good ones.
You!
The most important character of all. Each of the processes we talk about in this book are happening inside you. Draw, cut, paste, and interact with the book to learn a little bit more about how you are full of genes.