Lecture 11 - What Can You Do with the Genes You Have?

Question 1

How are your genes and proteins influenced environmental factors

Answer 1

• During development and postnatal life
• Nutrition, chemicals - smoking, environmental toxins, ageing, radiation
• level of physical activity and intensity of activity

Question 2

How much difference do genetic factors account for

Answer 2

Genetic factors account for 20-50% of inter-individual differences in most health related physical fitness and performance factors

Question 3

What can you do with the genes you have

Answer 3

1) Transcription (DNA -> RNA) regulation
- some genes are turned on and off; other have different basal levels, and these can be modified

2) Translation (RNA -> PRO) regulation
- amount of each type of mRNA available
- mRNA effectiveness in making protein

3) Post-translational processing
- Polypeptides to functioning proteins

Question 4

What are some of the muscle adaptation signals

Answer 4

• mechanical stretch
• Hormones - adrenaline
• Blood flow
• Systematic factors
• Energy depletion
• Temperature
• Hypoxia
• pH
• Fat/Cholesterol
• Muscle Damage
• ATP/ADP ratio
• Nerve activity

Question 5

What genes are stimulated by Aerobic/Cardiorespiratory/ Endurance exercises

Answer 5

Aerobic activity – mitochondria genes are expressed more, these genes help to make more mitochondria. Then we can work for longer and increase our VO2 mac. Also expression of metabolic genes – more enzymes to maintain metabolism

Question 6

What genes are stimulated by Strength/resistance training

Answer 6

Strength activity – myogenic genes (expressing more proteins required to increase muscle fibre size). Another gene: expression of proteolytic genes (break down unused proteins, release amino acid, recycle and make more protein. Strength exercise increases mRNA for genes that regulate muscle growth