Let's test our gene knowledge -

“A complex disease is caused by the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. Complex diseases are also called multifactorial. Examples of complex diseases include cancer and heart disease.”

What word does this definition belong to?

1. Inherited
2. Autosomal dominant
3. Complex disease
4. Polymorphism

The above test is found in the Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms; the answer found in the page of Complex disease in that Glossary. Make sure click the icon “Listen” on this page to hear expert comment on Complex disease by Francis S. Collins, M.D., Director of the National Institutes of Health.

The Talking Glossary, created by The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), may “help everyone understand the terms and concepts used in genetic research. In addition to definitions, specialists in the field of genetics share their descriptions of terms, and many terms include images, animation and links to related terms." The interactive pages of “Test Your Gene Knowledge” included in the Glossary contain “a 10-term quiz designed to be both fun and instructional. The quiz can be accessed from almost every Glossary page. Users can choose to test their knowledge about terms commonly found in K-16 science classrooms or more generally in popular news reports or conversation.” At the end of the test, a user can print a Certificate of Completion.

Let’s do another test from the Glossary--

“A process of programmed cell death. During early development this process is used to eliminate unwanted cells, as the skin web found between the fingers of developing hand. In adults, it is used to rid the body of cells that have been damaged beyond repair.”

What word does this definition belong to?

1. Meiosis
2. Mitosis
3. Deletion
4. Apoptosis

The answer is in the page of Apoptosis; and there is a beautiful illustration that may be viewed by clicking the “Illustration” tab above the picture frame in the middle of the page. Please note that all illustrations in the Glossary are copyright free!

In addition, the Glossary “contains more than 20 terms that are illustrated with 3-D movie animations. All cellular organelles have animation sequences, as do many key terms such as gene, cell, chromosome, etc.”  These movie animations put the subject terms in their contexts, therefore better represent the scientific concepts for the terms in question.

Please note also free app of The Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms is available on the App Store.

With the help of the Talking Glossary, we may enjoy our health conversation more.

Image  Courtesy: National Human Genome Research Institute.