Genetics is the branch of biology that deals with the transmission and variation of inherited characteristics, in particular chromosomes and DNA, whereas genealogy is the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or ancestors, lineage, or pedigree.
Genes are traits you are born with, such as your eye and hair color. These molecules carry information passed down from your parents called DNA. While DNA is mostly the same for everybody, a small percentage of it is yours alone. Those differences are what help determine the following:
- How you look
- The way your body works
- Your risk for diseases
- Your personality
What is genealogy?
Genealogy is the study of family descent, including how one individual is related to their parents, grandparents, cousins, and more. Finding out the origins of their families is a common desire of many people. They might seek out other relatives as well.
Species other than humans can also benefit from genealogy. For example, one can research a dog or a horse's ancestry. Such information can be useful for events such as dog shows and horse races.
Scientists can use genealogy to reconstruct the possible evolutionary history of modern species. Genealogists, people who study genealogy, can develop a family tree. Using these branching drawings, they can keep track of relationships. You can do this by looking through old records that list people's births, marriages, and deaths.
A person's family history can now be determined through DNA analysis. DNA molecules are inherited from one generation to the next. Thus, it is feasible to infer someone's ancestry from their DNA. Nowadays, various DNA testing companies aid consumers in discovering relatives they might not have been aware of. Additionally, they can help individuals trace the potential ancestry of their families.
SLIDESHOW
See SlideshowWhat is genetics?
Genetics is the study of genes and heredity or the process through which specific characteristics or traits are passed from one generation to the next because of variations in DNA sequence.
A gene is a section of DNA that carries instructions for constructing one or more molecules necessary for bodily functions. The structure of DNA is a double helix, which is a corkscrew-shaped ladder. The two ladder rails form the backbones of DNA, whereas the rungs are formed by pairs of four building blocks called bases, which include adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. The sequences of these bases provide the instructions for building molecules, most of which are proteins. Researchers estimate that humans have about 20,000 genes.
A genome is a collection of genetic components of an organism, which includes all its genes and the various substances that regulate the function of those genes. An organism's entire genome can be found in almost every cell. All humans share the same genome with only a few minor changes.
Health News
- Unhealthy Microbiome May Raise Death Risk After Organ Transplant
- Raw Milk Exposure a Real Bird Flu Risk for Humans, but Fast Spread Unlikely
- Second Recipient of Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Has Died
- Doctors Perform Larynx Transplant in Cancer Patient
- Scientists Develop High-Tech 'Air Mask' to Ward Off Viruses
- More Health News »
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK115568/
https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Genetics-vs-Genomics
https://nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/genetics.aspx
https://escholarship.org/content/qt4046g0fp/qt4046g0fp.pdf?t=lnq5di
Top Difference Between Genealogy and Genetics Related Articles
Are Lazy Eyes Genetic?
From a child’s birth until their 18th birthday, the brain and eyes form crucial connections. Genetics can play a role in causing lazy eyes. In case of a family history of amblyopia (lazy eye), it is better to consult an eye doctor at two years of age. Lazy eyes mainly occur in children and should be treated early.ataluren
Ataluren is an investigational drug used to delay disease progression in ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease. The medication is not yet approved by the FDA and is not available in the U.S. Common side effects of ataluren include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upper abdominal pain, gas (flatulence), abdominal discomfort, constipation, decrease in appetite, increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood, fever (pyrexia), ear infection, red rash (erythematous rash), feeling unwell (malaise), weight loss, high blood pressure (hypertension), and others.cipaglucosidase alfa
Cipaglucosidase alfa is a medication used in the treatment of Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder caused by deficiency of a metabolic enzyme, acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA), that leads to progressive weakness of skeletal and heart muscles. May cause fetal harm. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Common side effects of cipaglucosidase alfa include hives (urticaria), itching (pruritus), flushing, rash, shortness of breath (dyspnea), bronchospasm, low blood pressure (hypotension), swelling (edema), throat swelling (pharyngeal edema), tongue swelling, and others.elamipretide
Elamipretide is an investigational drug being developed to treat mitochondrial diseases, yet to be approved by the FDA, but has received orphan drug status. Common side effects of elamipretide include headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, flatulence, and mild redness or itching at the injection site. There is no information available on the safety and efficacy of elamipretide use in pregnant or breastfeeding women.Family Health: The Truth About Mail-In DNA Tests
If you're thinking about using an at-home DNA test kit, here are a few things to think about before mailing it in.Genetic Diseases
The definition of a genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Some types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance, including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis. Other types of genetic diseases include multifactorial inheritance. Still other types of genetic diseases include chromosome abnormalities (for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome), and mitochondrial inheritance (for example, epilepsy and dementia).Genetic Testing: Families With Breast Cancer
Breast cancer can be a killer and the decision to get tested to see if a patient is prone to the disease should be discussed with a doctor -- particularly if the woman has a history of breast cancer in her family. Genetic testing can only tell so much about breast cancer risk, however.Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer
Intensive genetic counseling is required before undergoing genetic tests for breast cancer. During this educational counseling session, the health care provider can fully explain the benefits and risks of genetic testing and answer any questions you may have. You will also be required to sign a consent form prior to participating in any genetic tests. The form is an agreement between you and your doctor, showing that you have discussed the test and how its results might affect your family.11 Surprising Things Your Genes Say About You
Explore what role DNA plays in your health, love life, and more in this WebMD slideshow.Opfolda
Opfolda is an enzyme stabilizer indicated, in combination with Pombiliti, a hydrolytic lysosomal glycogen-specific enzyme, for the treatment of adult patients with late-onset Pompe disease (lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase [GAA] deficiency). The most common side effects of Opfolda in combination with Pombiliti include headache, nausea, diarrhea, stomach area pain, tiredness, and fever. Opfolda in combination with Pombiliti may cause fertility problems in females and malespegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj
Pegunigalsidase alfa-ixwj is an enzyme used in the treatment of patients with Fabry disease, a rare inherited genetic disorder caused by the deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A enzyme. Common side effects of pegunigalsidase alfa-iwxj include infusion-associated reactions, headache, nose and throat inflammation (nasopharyngitis), sinus inflammation (sinusitis), upper respiratory tract congestion, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, back pain, pain in extremity, and hypersensitivity reactions.siltuximab
Siltuximab is an anticancer (antineoplastic) medication administered as an intravenous infusion to treat adults with multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), a rare disorder that affects the lymphatic system. Siltuximab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the activity of interleukin-6 (IL-6), an inflammatory protein (cytokine) that is believed to play a major role in MCD. Common side effects of siltuximab include rash, itching (pruritus), eczema, skin hyperpigmentation, dry skin, psoriasis, swelling from fluid retention (edema), upper respiratory tract infection, lower respiratory infection, nose and throat inflammation (nasopharyngitis), rash, itching (pruritus), eczema, skin hyperpigmentation, dry skin, psoriasis, swelling from fluid retention (edema), upper respiratory tract infection, lower respiratory infection, nose and throat inflammation (nasopharyngitis), and others.Who Is the Oldest Progeria Survivor?
Tiffany Wedekind of Columbus, Ohio, is 45 years old as of 2023, making her the oldest survivor of progeria, also known as rapid aging disease. It is believed that Wedekind's progeria differs slightly from that of others with the disease, which explains her surprising age. The reason Tiffany Wedekind's progeria remained undiagnosed for so long was that she never had any health issues other than her teeth falling out. However, Wedekind has health problems and heart problems caused by progeria.