Читать книгу Neurobiology For Dummies - Frank Amthor - Страница 44

In This Chapter

Exploring genetics and inheritance

Investigating cell molecules, important ions, and proteins

Checking out cell architecture

Assembling the cell boundary with membrane lipids

Adjusting cell volume through water channels

Getting to know neurons

Wondering why things go wrong: mutations and illnesses

The genes in your body’s cells are the reason you have your mother’s brown eyes and your father’s curly hair. Neurons are cells, and, like all cells in the body, they’re controlled by the expression of the DNA within their nuclei. Although the DNA in all non-reproductive cells in the body is the same, how the genes are expressed is what makes the body’s 300-plus cell types different from each other.

This chapter covers the basic genetics common to all cells, such as genes, chromosomes, and inheritance. It also discusses the universal genetic code, the expression of genes, and protein synthesis. And if you ever wondered what makes neurons so special compared to other cells, read on to find out about their unique features and functions. Bringing these ideas together, the final sections talk about what happens when neurons have genetic defects, such as mutations that lead to neurological illness. I also look at how science may be able to fix these problems.