Neurogenomics

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/neurogenomics

1. What is the scope of study?
2. What is the key methodologies?
3. How many neurons are in the human brain?
4. Why do scientists look at many genes for brain disorders instead of just one?

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scope of study?The complete set of genes and their interactions within the nervous system
2. What is the key methodologies?Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), RNA sequencing, epigenomic profiling, bioinformatics
3. How many neurons are in the human brain?The human brain has about 86 billion neurons, which are the cells that send signals to each other.
4. Why do scientists look at many genes for brain disorders instead of just one?Most brain functions and disorders are influenced by many genes that work together. Studying many genes helps scientists understand the whole network.

Neurogenomics: The study of the entire set of genes and their interactions that influence the nervous system's development and function.
Polygenic Trait: A trait or characteristic influenced by multiple genes, often interacting with environmental factors.
Epigenetics: Heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence.