A group of researchers, from theUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte, have mapped out 23 specific chromosomal locations that account for 84% of the behavioral differences between low activity (seelazy) mice and high activity mice (seetype A super achievers) - sorry, no human tests yet.
Initially, the researchers thought that the difference between the lazy and active mice was due to a genetic effect on the way energy is used by the muscle tissue.
This was proven false. Okay then, moving on.
This led the researchers to look at how genetic differences in brain chemistry might be causing this propensity towards laziness.
Success!
The Studies
The first thing the researchers did was to interbreed the active mice with the lazy mice. Then, they tested the offspring of this ‘unholy union’ for activity using three measurements - speed, endurance and distance.
Genetic tests were performed on the mice and strong correlations were found between the differences in the their genomes and their test results. In fact, the scientists identified 23 genes that were shown to affect activity levels.
While, the scientists have no idea what these genes are doing to cause these differences in activity level, they know that there is a link.
So what does this mean?
This may mean that while some people may be genetically predisposed to enjoy exercise, others may be genetically predisposed to glue their butts to the couch and watch re-runs ofMurder She Wroteuntil they fall asleep in a Doritos induced slumber.
A group of researchers, from theUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte, have mapped out 23 specific chromosomal locations that account for 84% of the behavioral differences between low activity (seelazy) mice and high activity mice (seetype A super achievers) - sorry, no human tests yet.
Link to Study # 1
Link to Study # 2
Initially, the researchers thought that the difference between the lazy and active mice was due to a genetic effect on the way energy is used by the muscle tissue.
This was proven false. Okay then, moving on.
This led the researchers to look at how genetic differences in brain chemistry might be causing this propensity towards laziness.
Success!
The Studies
The first thing the researchers did was to interbreed the active mice with the lazy mice. Then, they tested the offspring of this ‘unholy union’ for activity using three measurements - speed, endurance and distance.
Genetic tests were performed on the mice and strong correlations were found between the differences in the their genomes and their test results. In fact, the scientists identified 23 genes that were shown to affect activity levels.
While, the scientists have no idea what these genes are doing to cause these differences in activity level, they know that there is a link.
So what does this mean?
This may mean that while some people may be genetically predisposed to enjoy exercise, others may be genetically predisposed to glue their butts to the couch and watch re-runs ofMurder She Wroteuntil they fall asleep in a Doritos induced slumber.
How depressing.
.
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