VOA慢速英语2015 研究表明经常锻炼可以改变我们的DNA

 

Study: Regular Exercise Can Change Our DNA¹ 研究表明经常锻炼可以改变我们的DNA 

Swedish scientists say they have proven that physical exercise changes not only our health but also our genetic² material.

Scientists have long known that some diets or exposure to chemicals can change the way genes³ send and receive chemical signals in the body. But nothing was known about the influence of physical exercise.  

The Swedish study shows that exercise can have an effect on our deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. DNA is often called the "building blocks of life.” DNA is the material that carries genetic information in cells.

The study was a project of scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. They asked 23 young, healthy women and men to exercise on stationary⁴ bicycles with only one leg, several times a week for three months. The scientists then compared DNA taken from muscle cells in both legs. They found DNA had changed greatly in the leg that got more exercise. Many of the genes that changed were linked to energy, insulin and muscle inflammation or pain.

Scientists say this shows that regular exercise affects our genes and can lead to better health. They say future studies would examine how long the changes last if someone stops exercising.

Words in this Story

DNA/deoxyribonucleic acid – n. a substance that carries genetic information in the cells of plants and animals

exposure – n. the fact or condition of being affected⁵ by something or experiencing something; the condition of being exposed to something

insulin – n. a substance that your body makes and uses to turn sugar into energy

1 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

2 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

3 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪

4 stationary   

adj.固定的，静止不动的

参考例句：

• A stationary object is easy to be aimed at.一个静止不动的物体是容易瞄准的。
• Wait until the bus is stationary before you get off.你要等公共汽车停稳了再下车。

5 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。