Research into Population Genetics

1. New Horizon College English Unit 7 : Section A Research into Population Genetics 新视野

2. Pre-reading Activities Text Analysis Background information Compound dictation Questions & Answers Watch & Discuss Main idea and Structure Expressions & Patterns Summary How to apply to our real life the typical expressions and patterns taken from the text Blank filling Exercises Writing All the exercises for Section A 议论文与说明文写作技巧

3. I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Background Information Acquaint yourself with some relevant information Compound Dictation Listen to a passage and fill in the missing words. Questions & Answers Listen to a passage and answer some questions. Watch & Discuss Watch the video and discuss the given topics.

4. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Luca Cavalli-Sforza(A) Cavalli-Sforza, born in Genoa, Italy, was educated at the University of Pavia where he gained his MD in 1944. After working on bacterial genetics at Cambridge (1948－1950) and Milan (1950－1957) he has held chairsin genetics at Parma (1958－1962) and Pavia (1962－1970). In 1970 he was appointed professor of genetics at the University of Stanford, California, a position he held until his retirement in 1992. 下一页

5. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Luca Cavalli-Sforza(B) Cavalli-Sforza has specialized mainly in the genetics of human populations, producing with Walter Bodmer a comprehensive survey of the subject in their Genetics, Evolution and Man (1976). He has also done much to show how genetic data from present human racial groups could be used to reconstruct their past separations. This reconstruction, based on the analysis of 58 genes, yields a bifurcated evolutionary tree with Caucasian and African races in one branch and Orientals, Oceanians, and Amerinds in the other. 上一页 下一页

6. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Columbus(A) Christopher Columbus, an Italian-born master navigator (born in Genoa, Italy in 1451 and died at Valladolid, Spain in 1506) who sailed in the service of Spain, is commonly described as the discoverer of the New World — America. His four transatlantic voyages (1492－1493, 1493－1496, 1498－1500, and 1502－1504) opened the way for European exploration, exploitation, and colonization of the Americas. 上一页 下一页

7. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Columbus (B) Columbus’s real greatness lies in the fact that having found the West Indies — making major errors in his navigational computations and location in doing so — he was able to find his way back to Europe and return to the Indies. It is as a result of Columbus’s “discovery” that the New World became part of the European world. 上一页 下一页

8. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say The human genetic map(A) Our bodies are comprised of trillions of microscopic units called cells. Cells in turn are built up from many specific types of molecules, both large and small. The large molecules or macromolecules include polysaccharides, nucleic acids and proteins. Proteins are the workhorses of our cells. There are about 40,000 different types of proteins in our bodies. Each protein is present in many, many copies. 上一页 下一页

9. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say The human genetic map (B) An adult, for example, carries about 1021 (a billion trillion) hemoglobin molecules. The flow of genetic information is from DNA to RNA to Protein. Each protein is a linear polymer of a specific sequence of 20 different amino acids. DNA is also a linear polymer comprised of 4 types of nucleotides. The sequence of amino acids in each protein is encoded by a segment of DNA called a gene. Three consecutive nucleotides in a gene encode a single amino acid in the corresponding protein. The genetic code is universal among all living things. 上一页 下一页

10. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Khoisan Khoisan is the name by which the lighter skinned indigenous peoples of southern Africa, the Khoi (Hottentots) and the San (Bushmen) are known. These people were the earliest inhabitants of Africa and dominated the sub-continent for millennia before the appearance of the Nguni and other black peoples. There were probably about 120,000 living in South Africa around 1500. 上一页 下一页

11. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Basques (A) The Basques are a people who live in a small region (about the size of Rhode Island in the United States) that straddles the border of Spain and France from the sea in the west into the Pyrenees in the east. This area is called Euskal Herria (comprising seven provinces, historically: Araba, Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, and Navarra on the Spanish side; Laburdi, Zuberoa, and Behe-Nafarroa on the French side). There are about 660,000, according to the 1991 census. 上一页 下一页

12. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Basques (B) Fewer than 80,000 of these are on the French side of the frontier which runs through the Basque Country, the rest on the Spanish side. Basques speak a language called euskara, but today only about 25% of the population is fluent in that tongue. Even so, the word for a Basque person, euskaldun, means “possessor of the Basque language”. The Basque population is distinguished physically by a high incidence of Rh Negative factor in the blood. 上一页 下一页

13. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Basques (C) No one knows exactly where the Basques came from. Some say they lived in that area since Cro-Magnon man first roamed Europe. Estimates of how long they have lived there vary from 10,000 to 75,000 years. Some say they are descended from the original Iberians. More fanciful theories exist, as well. One is that the Basques are the descendents of the survivors of Atlantis. 上一页

14. I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Back Compound Dictation Directions: You will hear a passage. It will be read twice. Listen carefully and supply the missing words.

15. debate versus sociology proclaim genes namely socialization The simplified result of the debate is the statement This howeveris an unrefined view because it didn’t answer the question What feature in a person is a product of Nature and what feature is a product of Nurture and to what extent The ______ on Nature ______ Nurture is a hot issue in ________, politics, and even in people’s everyday lives. The big question: is Man a product of Nature and what the sociobiologists ________: a product of his _____ — or is he a product of Nurture, _______: of his social environment, the society he lives in, and his education; said in terms of social science: a product of his __________? ___ ________________________________________: “Well, Man is a product of Nature as well as of Nurture.” ____, _______, ___________________________________________________: ____________________________________________________________________________________________?

16. Back I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say Questions & Answers 1. How did the researchers obtain the information to write their book? key 2. What two scientific aims does the book have? key 3.What is the ultimate aim of the book? key

17. Reference Words: blood, blood proteins, examine the genetic similarities key The researchers took the blood of hundreds of thousands of individuals, from all around the world, and then analyzed their blood proteins. They examined the genetic similarities between the populations of the world. In this way, they obtained the information for their book. 返回

18. Reference Words: route, migrating around the world, under the skin, on a genetic level key This book has two scientific aims. One is to discover the routes taken by early people migrating around the world; another is to show that under the skin we are all very similar on a genetic level. 返回

19. The book is written for scientific purposes as well as in hopes that it would have a social effect by proving that there is no biological basis forracial prejudice, thus disproving the idea that one race is genetically superior to any other race. Reference Words: in hopes that, to have a social effect, no biological basis for, racial prejudice, disprove, to be genetically superior to key 返回

20. I. Pre-reading Activities: Listen, Look & Say 1. How much do you know about your genes? key 2. How much do you know about your preparation for graduate study? key Video watching Back Directions: Watch the video and then discuss the topics as follows:

21. 返回

22. Summary: Each human life begins with a single, microscopic cell. This single cell contains no bones, liver, brain, or any other adult tissue, but does contain a full complement of genetic instructions (genes) to specify all these tissues. In this very real sense, our genome(基因组) is a blueprint(蓝图) for people. The genetic blueprint encodes (对······编码) the sequences of all the proteins within our bodies and also programs human development for all stages of our lives from the single cell to old age. The Human Genome Project is intended to map and sequence the entire human genome. The great majority of the human DNA sequence has now been determined. DNA is an exceptionally ancient and stable molecule. It is passed from one generation to the next with only very gradual change. The degree of similarity in DNA nucleotide sequences(核苷酸次序) from two species indicates the evolutionary relatedness( 进化亲缘关系) of the two species. DNA sequence differences are largely, but not entirely, responsible for the differences among us. Ways of thinking: 1. How does each human life begin? 2. What shows our evolutionary relatedness? key 返回

23. Summary: Without exception, all of us desire to further our education in a graduate school with talented and devoted faculty, high ranked in the world or in China and rich with academic climate in which originality is encouraged and individuality extended. For your admission to the very school, however, you must know among others how to recommend yourself. To the best of my knowledge, the following aspects are worthy of your attention: Statement of your pursuit: You must clarify what to pursue at your favorite school. Statement of your academic background: You must give a simple and refined account of how your college life conditioned your professional knowledge best for graduate study and how you cultivated your intellectual interest in the fields of study you are to engage yourself in. Statement of your final objective: You must make clear the purpose of your pursuing degrees as well as how you turn your wishes into reality. In sum, your clear-cut pursuit and good academic preparation, complete with a firm resolve to gain your goal, will lead you to success. Ways of thinking: 1. How do you recommend yourself for further study at your favorite university? 2. On what aspects do you focus your self-recommendation? key 返回

24. II. Text Analysis: Main Idea and Structure New Words & Text Main Idea & Structure Main Idea New Words Structure Text Main Idea of Each Part Part Ⅰ Part Ⅱ Part Ⅲ Part Ⅳ

25. New Words Back • as of / from • in effect • adapt to • in combination • with • to shed / throw • light on • be descended • from • New Words • superiority • bias • Phrases and • Expressions • to date • nothing less • than • serve as • be confined to 下一页

26. New Words Back • Proper Names • Luca Cavalli-Sforza • Stanford (University) • Khoisan • Ethiopia • Basque • Cro-Magnon 上一页 下一页

27. Text Back Research into Population Genetics Para. 1aWhile not exactly a top selling book, The History and Geography of Human Genes is a remarkable collection of more than 50 years of research in population genetics. It stands as the most extensive survey to date on how humans vary at the level of their genes. (To be continued) 下一页

28. Back Para. 1b(To continue)The book’s firm conclusion: once the genes for surface features such as skin color and height are discounted, the “races” are remarkably alike under the skin. The variation among individuals is much greater than the differences among groups. In fact, there is no scientific basis for theories pushing the genetic superiority of any one population over another. 上一页 下一页

29. Back Para. 2The book, however, is much more than an argument against the latest racially biased theory. The prime mover behind the project, LucaCavalli-Sforza, a Stanford professor, labored with his colleagues for 16 years to create nothinglessthanthe first genetic map of the world. The book features more than 500 maps that show areas of genetic similarity —much asplaces of equal altitude are shown by the same color on other maps. By measuring how closely current populations are related, the authors trace the routes by which early humans migrated around the earth. Result: the closest thing we have to a global family tree. 上一页 下一页

30. Back Para. 3The information needed to draw that tree is found in human blood: various proteins that serveas markers to reveal a person’s genetic makeup. Using data collected by scientists over decades, the authors assembled profiles of hundreds of thousands of individuals from almost 2,000 groups. And to ensure the populations were “pure”, the study wasconfinedtogroups that were in their present locations asof 1492, before the first major movements from Europe began —ineffect, a genetic photo of the world when Columbus sailed for America. 上一页 下一页

31. Back Para. 4Collecting blood, particularly from ancient populations in remote areas, was not always easy; potential donors were often afraid to cooperate, or raised religious concerns. On one occasion, when Cavalli-Sforza was taking blood samples from children in a rural region of Africa, he was confronted by an angry farmer waving an axe. Recalls the scientist: “I remember him saying, ’If you take the blood of the children, I’ll take yours.’ He was worried that we might want to do some magic with the blood.” 上一页 下一页

32. Back Para. 5aDespite the difficulties, the scientists made some remarkable discoveries. One of them jumps right off the book’s cover: a color map of the world’s genetic variation has Africa at one end of the range and Australia at the other. Because Australia’s native people and black Africans share such superficial characteristics as skin color and body shape, they were widely assumed to be closely related. But their genes tell a different story. (To be continued) 上一页 下一页

33. Back Para. 5b (To continue)Of all humans, Australians are most distant from the Africans and most closely resemble their neighbors, the Southeast Asians. What the eye sees as racial differences—between Europeans and Africans, for example—are mainly a way to adapt to climate as humans move from one continent to another. 下一页 上一页

34. Back Para. 6The same map, incombinationwithancient human bones, confirms that Africa was the birthplace of humanity and thus the starting point of the original human movements. Those findings, plus the great genetic distance between present-day Africans and non-Africans, indicate that the split from the African branch is the oldest on the human family tree. 上一页 下一页

35. Back Para. 7aThe genetic maps also shed new lightonthe origins of populations that have long puzzled scientists. Example: the Khoisan people of southern Africa. Many scientists consider the Khoisan a distinct race of very ancient origin. The unique character of the clicking sounds in their language has persuaded some researchers that the Khoisan peopleare directly descendedfromthe most primitive human ancestors. (To be continued) 上一页 下一页

36. Back Para. 7bBut their genesbeg to differ. They show that the Khoisan may be a very ancient mix of west Asians and black Africans. A genetic trail visible on the maps shows that the breeding ground for this mixed population probably lies in Ethiopia or the Middle East. 上一页 下一页

37. Back Para. 8aThe most distinctive members of the European branch of the human tree are the Basques of France and Spain. They show unusual patterns for several genes, including the highest rate of a rare blood type. Their language is of unknown origin and cannot be placed within any standard classification. (To be continued) 上一页 下一页

38. Back Para. 8b(To continue)And the fact that they live in a region next to famous caves which contain vivid paintings from Europe’s early humans, leads Cavalli-Sforza to the following conclusion: “The Basques are extremely likely to be the most direct relatives of the Cro-Magnon people, among the first modern humans in Europe.” All Europeans are thought to be a mixed population, with 65% Asian and 35% African genes. 上一页 下一页

39. Back Para. 9 In addition to telling us about our origins, genetic information is also the latest raw material of the medical industry, which hopes to use human DNA to build specialized proteins that may have some value as disease-fighting drugs. Activists for native populations fear that the scientists could exploit these peoples: genetic material taken from blood samples could be used for commercial purposes without adequate payment made to the groups that provide the DNA. 上一页 下一页

40. Back Para. 10 Cavalli-Sforza stresses that his mission is not just scientific but social as well. The study’s ultimate aim, he says, is to “weaken conventional notions of race” that cause racial prejudice. It is a goal that he hopes will be welcomed among native peoples who have long struggled for the same end. 上一页

41. II. Text Analysis: Main Idea and Structure What is the text mainly about? Back As the most extensive survey to date on how humans vary at the level of their genes, the book The History and Geography of Human Genes made two remarkable contributions to science: There is no scientific basis for the genetic superiority of one race over any other one; and it creates the first genetic map of the world. In the process of collecting information for the book, however, scientists encountered great difficulties. The ultimate goal of their work is to remove racial prejudice.

42. II. Text Analysis: Main Idea and Structure How is the text organized? For details Back The passage falls into four parts. It evolves from the two outstanding scientific contributions of the book through induction. Next, it moves back to the illustrations, as an inserted part, of hard work in collecting the information needed for the book. Then, the passage comes to the scientists’ remark-able discoveries, as listed in paras. 5 to 9. It is concluded with the social effect, the ultimate aim, of their research. 下一页

43. II. Text Analysis: Main Idea and Structure Back No scientific basis for racial prejudice; creation of the first genetic map. A genetic difference between Australians and Africans; the discovery of human birthplace; new light cast on the origins of populations; and the medical value of the genetic material. Part 1 (Paras. 1-2) Part 3 (Paras. 5-9) Two scientific aims achieved by the book? Remarkable discoveries of the scientists? Research into Population Genetics For instance, people in a rural region of Africa refused to take blood out of their children. The study’s aim is to weaken conventional notions of race that cause racial prejudice. Part 2 (Paras. 3-4) Part 4 (Para. 10) Illustrations of hard work in collecting the information needed? The ultimate aim of the research?

44. II. Text Analysis: Main Idea and Structure Part I (Paras. 1-2) Part II Part III Part IV For details Back Main idea? The book The History and Geography of Human Genes proves that the “races” are alike under the skin and creates the first genetic map of the world, the closest thing we have to a global family tree. Devices for developing it? Induction (归纳法)

45. Back For details • Specific descriptions: (Para. 2) • The book is much more than an argument against the latest racially biased theory. • The prime mover labored with his colleagues… to create… the first genetic map of the world. • The book features more than 500 maps… • … the authors trace the routes by which early humans migrated around the earth. • General statement: Result: the closet thing • we have to a global family tree. • Specific descriptions: (Para. 1) • The book is a remarkable collection of… • It stands as the most extensive survey to date on how humans vary at the level of… • Its firm conclusion:…“races” are alike… • The variation among individuals is much greater than the differences among groups. • General statement:In fact, there is no scientific basis for theories pushing the genetic superiority of any one population over another. Induction is used respectively in paragraph 1 and 2 to show the theoretical significance and contributions of the book, The History and Geography of Human Genes. 返回

46. II. Text Analysis: Main Idea and Structure Part I Part II (Para. 3-4) Part III Part IV For details Back Main idea? It took decades and pains for scientists to collect the information needed to draw the family tree. Devices for developing it? Exemplification (举例法)

47. For details Back A statement: Collecting blood,…, was not always easy; potential donors were often afraid to cooperate, or raised religious concerns. An example:On one occasion, when Cavalli-Sforza was taking blood samples from children in a rural region of Africa, he was confronted by an angry farmer waving an axe. Recalls the scientist: “I remember him saying, ‘If you take the blood of the children, I’ll take yours.’ He was worried that we might want to do some magic with the blood.” Exemplification is used in this part to illustrate the difficulties the authors had when taking blood from hundreds of thousands of individuals from almost 2,000 groups. 返回

48. II. Text Analysis: Main Idea and Structure Part I Part II Part III (Para. 5-9) Part IV For details For details Back Main idea? The book’s four remarkable discoveries: A color map of genetic variation has Africa at one end of the range and Australia at the other; Africa was the birthplace of humanity; the genetic maps show the origins of populations; and genetic information is also the latest raw material of the medical industry. Devices for developing it? Listing (列举法) Exemplification (举例法)

49. Back For details Discovery 1: A color map of the world’s genetic variation has Africa at one end of the range and Australia at the other. (Para. 5) Discovery 2:The same map, in combination with human bones, confirms that Africa was the birthplace of humanity and thus the starting point of the original human movements. (Para. 6) Discovery 3:The genetic maps also shed new light on the origins of populations that have long puzzled scientists. (Para. 7) Discovery 4:… genetic information is also the latest raw material of the medical industry… (Para. 9) The writing technique, listing, is employed in this part to set out the four remarkable discoveries made by the authors of the book. 返回

50. Back For details A statement: The genetic maps also shed new light on ______________________. Example 1: Many scientists consider the Khoisan a distinct race of very ancient origin, directly descending from the most primitive human ancestors. But the genetic maps show __________ _________________________________________________________________. (Para. 7) the origins of populations Example 2: The Basques of France and Spain with unusual patterns for several genes and their language of unknown origin cannot be placed within any standard classification. But the fact where they live leads to the conclusion that the Basques are likely __________________________ _________________________________________________________________. All Europeans are thought to be a mixed population, with ________ __________________________. (Para. 8) In paragraph 7 and 8 of this part, exemplification is also employed, which makes convincing the statement at the very beginning of Para. 7. that the Khoisan may be a very ancient mix of west Asians and black Africans to be the most direct relatives of the Cro-Magnon people, among the first modern humans in Europe 65% Asian and 35% African genes 返回