2. We all have similarities and we all
have differences that make us
unique and special.

3. Your genes determine
what you look like.

4. Genes are like a recipe
that makes you.

5. Everybody’s recipe is slightly different (around
0.1%). This is what makes you an individual.
These gingerbread people are the same, but
also have differences because their recipe is
slightly different.

6. But, if we were to use pepper instead of
ginger when making gingerbread people,
the recipe would be wrong.

7. The same can happen to humans. If
somebody’s gene recipe changes, it may
cause their body to become ill.

8. Inherited and environmental factors can
sometimes change a person’s gene recipe
and cause a genetic condition.

9. Another word for our gene recipe is DNA.
The information that makes up
our DNA is humongous.
If someone’s DNA
information was
written out, it would
fill all the books in
your school library.

10. Just changing one letter in one of the
books in the school library has the
potential to cause a genetic condition.

11. There are more than 6000 genetic conditions.
You can investigate how many genetic conditions
have been discovered here. 1 in 20 children are
born with or develop a genetic condition.

12. Genetic
Conditions
Down’s
Syndrome
Albinism
Cystic
Fibrosis
Cancer
Propionic
Acidemia
Diastrophic
Dysplasia
Malignant
Infantile
Osteopetrosis
Sickle Cell
Anaemia

13. DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA can
be found inside a cell that contains a nucleus.
Within the nucleus, there are 23 pairs of different sized
chromosomes. DNA, which is tightly coiled around
bead-like structures of a protein called histone, forms
the chromosomes. A gene is a section of DNA that
contributes to a function.
Cell Nucleus
Pair of
Chromosomes DNA
Gene

14. Cells that contain a nucleus are called eukaryotic cells and
can be found in any body tissue (the brain, heart, muscles),
the base of hair follicles, white blood cells etc.
Red blood cells start out with a nucleus, however, when they
reach maturity in their life-cycle, they eject the nucleus.
Cell
Nucleus

15. Erasmus+ 2020-2022
“Young Scientists Discover the World”
Lakkoma Primary School