KEVIN GEEKS OUT - Mutants #2

Me introducing future variations of genetic mutation.

Thanks, Matthew Glasson, for this great photo!

From Kevin Geeks Out: Visions Of The Future

In our last/first installment of my lecture at Kevin Geeks Out, I had just laid some mutation groundwork, based on favorite mutation films. Here in Part 2 we continue our exploration of mutations, with a look at DNA, chromosomes, and genes...

THE INEVITABLE OVERTHROW OF THE HUMAN POPULATION,

DUE TO NOTABLE AND SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN ABERRANT

CHROMOSOMAL PROLIFERATION OF MULTIPLE ETIOLOGIES

Part 2

What is the difference between chromosomes, genes and DNA?

Chromosome

A chromosome is a bunch of tightly coiled and packed together DNA,

DNA

the DNA is your genetic material.

Mr. DNA from Jurassic Park

Genes are sections of coiled DNA in the chromosome.

A mutation occurs when a gene's DNA is altered. What the heck is DNA? Deoxyribonucleic acid, that what. It's made of stuff called nucleotides. A genetic mutation occurs when DNA in a cell’s gene is damaged or altered in a way that changes the information carried by that gene.

Thread Of Life, a Bell Labs educational film... it's great!

DNA does two things. First, it reproduces itself before a cell divides, in an asexual process called mitosis.

Here in this aesexual pornographic image (below), we see the cell dividing. DNA reproduction gives each cell the same genetic information.

Cell porn. Exciting, isn't it?

DNA also instructs cells to build proteins, which is a big deal. Proteins have the most varied functions of any molecules in the body. One of the things they do is to form the altered cell structures of the mutated Emil Blonsky and Bruce Banner.

Mutant proteins in mortal combat.

Mutations of the present and future can happen in two different ways, either inherited from a parent, or acquired during a person's lifetime.

Mutations that are passed from parent to child are called hereditary mutations. They are present in the egg and/or sperm cells. The X-Men mutations are excellent examples of hereditary mutations. This type of mutation is present throughout a person’s life in virtually every cell in the body. They may be passed on to offspring, sometimes predictably, or in the case of the Brotherhood of Evil, unpredictably.

Mystique is a member of The Brotherhood

The slang term for Mystique’s hereditary mutation is “shape shifting.” She can create ovaries or testes, at will, as she transforms into a male or female person. We should assume that she has viable reproductive cells regardless of their external form (egg or sperm). The predictability of mutant genetic expression is unexplored territory, requiring further research. At this point in time we must consider genetic expression in mutant offspring to be always unpredictable.

Mystique attempting to engage Wolverine in genetic expression.

What about the sex lives of humans with acquired mutations? Come back for the third installment of my lecture from Kevin Geeks Out: Visions Of The Future!