经济学人:熊猫遗传学:熊猫的第二拇指(2)

 　　He and his colleagues noted¹ parallel changes in the genes² for three digestive enzymes³ whose job is to liberate⁴ two particular amino acids, lysine and arginine, from proteins.  他的团队发现三种消化酶基因相似的改变，这些消化酶的作用是从蛋白质中释放两种特殊的氨基酸，赖氨酸和精氨酸。

　　Both lysine and arginine are abundant in meat, but in short supply in bamboo.  肉类中富含赖氨酸和精氨酸，而在竹子中却很缺乏。

　　The team also noted parallel changes in four genes that encode proteins involved in the metabolism⁵ of two vitamins, A and B12, and of arachidonic acid, a lipid essential for bodily function.  该团队还注意到四种变化相同的基因，这些基因编码的蛋白质包括新陈代谢中所需的维生素A，维生素B12和机体功能必需的脂质-花生四烯酸。

　　All of these are scarce or non-existent in bamboo as well.  而这些在竹子中非常缺乏甚至不存在。

　　Exactly how the genetic⁶ changes seen alter the effectiveness of the proteins involved remains⁷ to be determined⁸.  基因变化具体是如何改变所涉及蛋白质的有效性仍有待确定。

　　But the prediction would be that they enhance the availability of the nutrients⁹ in question. 但可预测的是，它们增强了讨论中的营养素的可利用性。

　　The upshotis that the two pandas do indeed seem to have similar genetics underlying¹⁰ their similar peculiarities¹¹. 结论是：基于两类熊猫的相似特性，它们确实有相似基因。

　　Such similarities are, admittedly, easier to find than different genetic routes to the same outcome would be. 诚然，这些相似之处比不同的基因路径更容易找到相同的结果。

　　But Dr Hu has established that, at least in the case of pandas, natural selection has often taken the same paths to arrive at the same outcomes. 但是胡博士已经确定，至少在熊猫中，自然选择通常以相同的途径达到相同的结果。

1 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 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

3 enzymes   

n. 酶，酵素

参考例句：

• It was said that washing powders containing enzymes remove stains more efficiently. 据说加酶洗衣粉除污更有效。
• Among the enzymes which are particularly effective are pepsin, papain. 在酶当中特别有效的是胃朊酶、木瓜酶。

4 liberate   

v.解放，使获得自由，释出，放出；vt.解放，使获自由

参考例句：

• They did their best to liberate slaves.他们尽最大能力去解放奴隶。
• This will liberate him from economic worry.这将消除他经济上的忧虑。

5 metabolism   

n.新陈代谢

参考例句：

• After years of dieting,Carol's metabolism was completely out of whack.经过数年的节食，卡罗尔的新陈代谢完全紊乱了。
• All living matter undergoes a process of metabolism.生物都有新陈代谢。

6 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。

7 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

8 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

9 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

11 peculiarities   

n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪

参考例句：

• the cultural peculiarities of the English 英国人的文化特点
• He used to mimic speech peculiarities of another. 他过去总是模仿别人讲话的特点。