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Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » Genetic predilection is very mysterious to me. My sister and I both take after our dad in terms of outlook on life. Why not our mom?
RosieG

Genetic predilection is very mysterious to me. My sister and I both take after our dad in terms of outlook on life. Why not our mom?

My sister is very outgoing and has always been gregarious. She attracts people and has always had many friends. I am the opposite. A loner. Very shy. Still am sort of around the edges. I'm seven years older and we're now best friends. She is always involved in doing and engaging and joining in and I'm a homebody who prefers being right here where I am as often as I can. So that hasn't changed. But we have the same parents. So why is she the way she is and why am I the way I am? The luck of the draw? Random chance?

Posted - September 30, 2019
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Responses


  • 16963
    The science of genetics is still in its infancy. The human genome has been mapped, but geneticists are not yet able to say definitively why some genes are "switched on" at meiosis while others remain dormant. Case in point, masked recessives - a blue-eyed redhead can turn up in a family of hazel-eyed brunettes, without any reference to the mailman, if both parents carry those genes as a recessive. Personality is even harder to define, that can be as much nature as nurture.
      September 30, 2019 3:05 AM MDT
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  • 113301
    "Switched on"? Oh. Okay. They're all there but some are not activated for whatever reason. Could be like a light bulb that is defective or died or has a "short" in the filament? Different triggers? Thank you for your helpful reply R and for the new word...meiosis. Just looked it up.  It explains the biological definition. The second definition (RHETORICAL) is "belittlement" or understatement which you probably also already know. In meiosis the chromosomes become "reduced". So I guess that's the why of the rhetorical meaning. Very interesting. If you see me use the word meiosis futurely it's due to you! Happy Monday! :)
      September 30, 2019 3:31 AM MDT
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