时差N小时 大自然中的基因交易(上)

Wouldn’t it be great if we could trade genes¹ with other species?

如果我们能和其他物种交换基因该有多好？

For example, suppose you could trade the family cat your genes for intelligence for its genes for physical coordination²!

例如，假设你可以把自己的智力基因与家猫的灵敏基因作交换！

Well, okay, that’s not likely to happen anytime soon. But DNA³ trading really does happen in nature!

当然，短期内这个目标难以实现。但是，DNA交易却真实存在于大自然中！

The real DNA traders are bacteria.

真正进行DNA交易是细菌。

Unlike more complex organisms, most bacteria reproduce asexually–that is, they just copy their own DNA, and then split in half, leaving one copy of the DNA in each half.

与较复杂的生物体不同，大部分细菌可以进行无性繁殖——也就是说，它们只是复制自身的DNA，再分裂成两半，每一半都保留着一份DNA。

Asexual reproduction can be a big advantage, since one bacterium⁴ doesn’t need another one around to reproduce.

无性繁殖是一种很大的优势，因为一个细菌体无需另一个细菌就可以繁殖。

But, on the other hand, the bacterium doesn’t get the benefit of genetic⁵ diversity.

不过，另一方面，细菌也无法获得基因多样化带来的好处。

1 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

2 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

3 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。

4 bacterium   

n.(pl.)bacteria 细菌

参考例句：

• The bacterium possibly goes in the human body by the mouth.细菌可能通过口进入人体。
• A bacterium is identified as the cause for his duodenal ulcer.一种细菌被断定为造成他十二指肠溃疡的根源。

5 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。