The gene

What’s a gene?

A gene is a locatable region of genomic sequence, corresponding to a unit of inheritance, which is associated with regulatory regions, transcribed regions and/or other functional sequence regions.The physical development and phenotype of organisms can be thought of as a product of genes interacting with each other and with the environment A definition of gene, has been proposed by Gerstein et al. "A gene is a union of genomic sequences encoding a coherent set of potentially overlapping functional products".

The gene

The cloning animals:

•Complex biotechnological procedures have enabled scientists to successfully clone mice, sheep, cows and other mammals.

•The technology is still at early stages and currently, one in three cloned animals is born abnormally large or with other developmental problems.

The gene

GM food:

Genetically modified (GM) foods are foodstuffs produced from genetically modified organisms (GMO) that have had their DNA altered through genetic engineering. GM foods were first put on the market in the early 1990s. The most common modified foods are derived from plants: soybean, corn, canola and cotton seed oil and wheat.

The gene

Dolly:

Dolly , a female sheep or ewe, was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell, using the process of nuclear transfer. The cell used was a mammary gland , proving that a cell taken from a specific body part could create a whole individual. She was named Dolly after the curvaceous country western singer Dolly Parton. Previously it was believed that a specific cell could only produce replicas of the same body part from which it was obtained.

Dialogues: Comparing products

Clàudia: Look at this iPod, Marta. It’s so cool!

Marta: Let’s have a look. How much is that are?

Clàudia: It’s 150$.

Marta: That’s much too expensive. What about this one? It’s cheaper.

Clàudia: Can you play games on it?

Marta: Yes, you can play games on all for them. This one’s on offer. It’s only 90$.

Clàudia: That sounds good. Are you going to buy it?

Marta: Maybe. I’m going to speak to my dad first.

Dialouges: Describing an event

Marta: Have you ever been to the “Birdman” competition, Clàudia?

Clàudia: No, what’s that all about?

Marta: Oh, it’s this really mad competition. People try to fly.

Clàudia: That sounds fun. And when’s it on?

Marta: It’s Saturday night.

Clàudia: So, people try to fly. What else happens?

Marta: Well, there are same bands and there’s food. Do you fancy going?

Clàudia: Why not?

Dialogues: Buying by phone

Woman: Hello, Ticket Connect. How can I help you?

Clàudia: Oh, hi. I’m phoning about tickets for Franz Ferdinand.

Woman: Yes, can you tell me the date and place?

Clàudia: Yes, are there any tickets for the concert in London 26th of October?

Woman: Yes, we’ve got tickets for that.

Clàudia: Great, how much are they?

Woman: They’re all 20$.

Clàudia: Ok. Can I have four tickets please?

Woman: Yes, of course. I’ll need your name, address and a credit card number please.

Clàudia: Oh right. Just a moment… Dad!

Dialogues: CHOOSING FROM A MENU

Clàudia: So what are you going to have, Marta?

Marta: I’m not sure. The Hawaiian looks good.

Clàudia: What’s that?

Marta: That’s a salad with strawberry and melon.

Clàudia: Mmm. That sounds tasty. Well I’m going to have the pasta.

Waiter: Hi. Are you ready to order?

Clàudia: Erm. Yes. Can we have a Hawaiian and pasta, please?

Waiter: One Hawaiian and one pasta. Thanks very much.

Dialogues: ASKING FOR INFORMATION

Clàudia: Excuse me. Can you help me? I'm looking for the commercial centre.

Woman: Ah yes, the commercial centre is at Loch Bhasapoll. Do you know the island?

Clàudia: Not really, no.

Woman: Let me show you on the map. It's here, look.

Clàudia: Ok great. And where's the best restaurant?

Woman: Erm, there's a good place here, in Bough.

Clàudia: Is that far from here?

Woman: No, it's about twenty minutes by car.

Clàudia: Oh. Great. Thanks very much.

Woman: Bye.

Writing: A composition

The future

In my opinion, in the future, our life will be easier and it mechanized. We might emit more contamination and the scientists will create new cars with more power and more security and they will create super-robots for difficult jobs.

I think it’s important to colonize space. If we live on other planets for example Mars, we will pour the remains into other planets.

In general, I feel optimistic about the future but I’m pessimistic about the pollution.

Writing: An email

Hi Sara
I’m writing this email from Andorra. It’s a fantastic country and it’s perfect for skiing.

In the last few days, we’re staying in the mountains, skiing all day. So far I’ve really enjoyed skiing and we have had new experiences on the snow.

Tonight we’re staying in a shelter with my friends. The next month, we’re going to travel to Italy by plane.


I hope you’re well, Sara. I’ll write again soon.
Clàudia

Writing: A survivor's store

Last Sunday, I went to an excursion in Mexico with my friends. At midday, we had for lunch a sandwich and an apple each one.

Suddenly, we heard a storm far in the sky. It was a tornado! At the next moment, we were all in panic, we were very scared. The tornado was coming from the south. We began to run to the north, where my house was and we went inside.

Afterwards, we were ok and calm. We had lived a terrible experience and my friends were now going to their houses to have a rest. The next day, I watched the TV and I saw in the news that the tornado finally disappeared into the sea.

Writing: describing a "life picture"

In my picture the color is yellow because it means happiness. I also think that I am happy and sometimes. I'm a relaxed and cheerful person.

Here, there's a photo of me in the garden of my house.

My favourite activity is riding my horse. There are other photos, too. You can see my dogs and my horse. My favourite animals are dogs and horses.

I like the wood, too.