Question

Marla and Anthony enjoy hiking and mountain climbing. They want to know whether theIr 2 year old son, Spencer, will excel at these activities too. They send a sample of Spencer's, cheek cells to a company that offers genetic test for atlethic ability and request a test on the angiotensin I-converting enzymes (ACE) gene. Marla and Anthony had read a study about 40 elite British mountaineers, many of whom had a genotype that is rare among the general, non-mountain-climbing population. Look up what the gene does, and suggest how variants of it might affect athletic ability.

A. Do you think that the parents should decide which sports spencer tries based on the genetic test results? explain your answer.

B. How might variants affect athletic ability? explain

C. Should parents choose sports for their chlid based on genetic test results? Explain.

Answer 1

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is the major component of the renin-angiotensin system that controls the volume of body fluids and blood pressure. It catalyses the conversion of inactive angiotensin I to active angiotensin II which functions as a vasoconstrictor. SO, it indirectly causes an increase in blood pressure by decreasing the volume of blood vessels.

ACE is associated with increased physical endurance in humans. An insertion allele of this gene is shown to be associated with high endurance performance in elite mountaineers.

There are two reported alleles for ACE.

1. D-allele is associated with higher ACE levels.

2. I-allele is associated with lower ACE levels.

Since D-allele carriers have higher ACE levels. They exhibit lower maximal heart rate and maximal oxygen uptake.

On the other hand, I-allele carriers have lower ACE levels. They exhibit higher maximal heart rate and maximal oxygen uptake.

D-allele has been found in elite short-distance swimmers as they rely more on strength than endurance.

I-allele has been found in distant runner, cyclists, rowers and mountaineers.

A. No.

Parents should not force their kids to take up a specific sport. Kids should be left to choose their own passionate choice.

Of course, they can suggest them. But, it is not advisable to force a child to follow their parent's ideas.

B. See explanation above.

C. No.

Even if the genetic results suggest that kids are genetically predisposed to perform better at sports, they should not be forced.