The Gene…
…That changed the world
This will explain:
What is a gene?
What is a sex-linked trait?
Identify Hemophilia
Show the implications of
ONE GENE on the ENTIRE
COURSE OF 20th CENTURY
HISTORY!
WHAT IS A GENE?
A gene is a portion
of…
…DNA that codes
for…
…a protein.
A gene is also
called…
…an EXON, because
it is…
…expressed as a
protein!
WHAT IS A CHROMOSOME?
A chromosome is a
collection of…
…genes (exons) separated
by…
 …INTRONS (in between
the exons, which code
for…
…NOTHING!
CHROMOSOMES…
Come in pairs…
…one from each parent.
 …They contain the same genes,
but…
…different alleles.
HOMOLOGOUS PAIRS!
What is a sex-linked trait?
It is more
common in
males, but also
found in females.
It is recessive.
It is found on
the…
…X Chromosome.
Sex Determination
Does NOT mean
you are
determined to
have sex!
It refers to
Females having…
XX chromosomes
Males having…
XY chromosomes
What is Hemophilia?
It is a blood clotting
disorder.
Victims lack ONE of
EIGHT proteins required
for blood to clot.
Victims may die from
cuts…or bruises!
It is a…
…sex-linked trait!
Cast of Characters
England’s Queen Victoria
The Russian Royal Family:
the Romanovs.
The Monk Rasputin
Lenin – Russia’s
Communist leader to be
Queen Victoria (1819 – 1901)
…Ruled England
for 64 years (1837
to 1901)
…had many
children.
…was a carrier for
Hemophilia, which
means she was…
HETEROZYGOUS!
The Romanovs: Tsar Nicholas II
The last Royal
leader of Russia.
He was forcibly
removed from
power, and…
…suffice to say
that he was given
a true burial only
in 1999!
The Romanovs: Tsarina Alexandra
She was Queen
Victoria’s
Granddaughter.
She was also a
German Princess,
back in the days
when royal
marriages were the
basis for strategic
alliances.
She inherited the
allele for Hemophilia
(a carrier).
The Romanovs: The Children
There were 5 children, but only a
male could be heir.
Olga (b. 11-15 -1895)
Tatiana (b. 6 -10 – 1897)
Maria (b. 6 -26 – 1899)
Anastasia (b. 6 -10 – 1901) more on
her later…
Alexis (b. 8 - 12 – 1804)
Alexis is the heir…
The Tsarevich!
The Romanovs: The Children
OLGA
MARIA
The Romanovs: The Children
TATIANA
ANASTASIA
And what of the heir?
As the only male, Alexis
was “destined to rule.”
As the son of a carrier of
Hemophilia (Alexandra).
He had a 50% chance of
inheriting the allele for
the disorder…
On the X chromosome
He did inherit it…
He was a Hemophiliac!
More on Alexis…
 Hemophilia could be fatal
because the doctors didn't know
how to treat it.
 Alexis was confined to bed for
long periods of time.
 In 1912, he had an accident that
nearly cost him his life causing
him severe pain and fever.
 He suffered so much that he said
to his mother: "When I'm dead, it
will not hurt anymore, will it,
Mama?“
 He did survive through the help
of a man named Rasputin.
The “EVIL” ? Monk Rasputin
Born in 1871, far
from the capital of
St. Petersburg.
He was neither a
monk, nor a priest,
but members of the
Russian Orthodox
fell under his sway
as he entered the
imperial court.
Rasputin’s Healing Powers?
He may have stopped
the Tsarevich’s
screams of pain…
…But he could not
actually cure Alexis’s
Hemophilia!
The Hemophilia did
not kill Alexis…
Rasputin’s Influence…
Due to his supposed
healing powers, he
was given unrivaled
access to the Royal
family.
His corruption led to
the growing distrust
of the monarchy by
the people.
The First Revolution (1905)
The first revolution
by the Mensheviks
(those in the
minority) was a
failed attempt at a
democratic nation.
This led later (after
Rasputin became
involved) to another
revolution…
The Setting: Russia during WW1
The suffering and
unrest of the
Russian people was
great, especially
given the economic
disparity and
shortages during
the war.
The distrust of the
Tsarina added to
the unrest.
The Communist Revolution
The 2nd revolution
was a violent one…
Lenin and the
Bolshevik’s seized
power in October
1917, in the midst of
the chaos of World
War I.
Vladimir IIIyich Lenin (1870 – 1924)
The father of
Communism in
Russia.
He led the Bolshevik
revolution which led
to the Union of Soviet
Socialists Republics
(USSR).
He is body is
displayed in
Moscow’s Red
Square.
Denoument: The Romanovs
They were kidnapped during the
revolution.
All were assassinated on 7 – 17 –
1918!
Their body’s were not found until
late in the 20th century!
Denoument: The myth of Anastasia
Is was long assumed
she survived the
assassination.
A Russian woman
claimed for many
years to be
Anastasia.
…But her body was
later found with the
rest of the Royal
family.
The chain of History that Followed!
 The rise of Communism.
 The Fall of many eastern
European countries.
 The Cold War.
 The Development of N.A.T.O.
 The buildup of the military
during times of peace, at the
expense of social programs.
The Conclusion?
Biology cannot be separated
from our lives.
It not only affects us as
individuals, but it also…
Has had a profound effect on
human history!
Those interested should read
up on infectious disease and
history!
It is all about MAKING
CONNECTIONS!