Episode 8 - Adolescence and genomics
I'm still seeing wrinkles.
Evelina.
Dr. Gecko!
I'm running a little late.
An experiment didn't go as planned.
Can you start the show without me?
Don't worry, Dr.
I've got everything under control.
Thank you Dr. Gecko. See you soon!
Uncle!
I'm waiting outside the INMEGEN.
Excellent!
Epigenio is coming for you...
...and he will prepare you for the show.
Show?
Evelina, focus.
Epigenio, where are we going?
Cool!
Hey, what are you doing, Epigenio?
Help!
Hello, hello, my dear potential scientists!
Today, we're going to talk...
...about some misterious and strange beings.
They are so misunderstood that even flies run away from them.
They dress as if they were crazy.
And their language is uncomprehensible.
That's right, fellas. I'm talking about...
Teenagers!
I don't want to alarm you,
but today we have a live specimen in the show.
With youÉ
Ricardito, the teenage gecko!
Aaaaah!
You may remember Ricardito...
...as that egg that was heroically saved by me.
It was one of my best moments.
Ehem, well, that doesn't matter.
That egg became a boy,
who, as all reptiles do, grew in the blink of an eye.
What?
You were a whining baby.
A little misbehaved...
...but adorable in all.
But now that you are entering into adolescence,
everything will change.
And to explain it, we made a song!
This one goes to all the teenagers in the audience.
Ri-car-di-to!
Your hormones are messy,
You don't want to be a baby
You don't know what you want
but don't want what you have.
Poor Ricardito
Your body is a jumble
You look like a tadpole
You have more grains than a corn.
And you smell like spicy food.
Ricardito, the teenage gecko,
Yeah!
- Bravissimo!
What did you think?
The typical attitude in puberty.
But what's puberty?
Puberty marks the Beginning of reproductive life.
On the other hand, adolescence is the process of...
...cognitive, emotional and social maturation of youngsters.
Mood changes are common in this stage, as well as...
...constant drowsiness,
...choosing friends over family,
...a searching for identity...
Who are you trying to fool?
We geckos are as bald as a rock.
In nature, there are many examples of notable changes...
...during maturation process.
But, what sets off these changes?
Are genes themselves changing?
No, genes do not change.
This cute butterfly...
...still has the same genes as when she was a hideous worm.
- Hey, have more respect!
But, the fascinating thing is...
...that our genes have a biological clock...
...that tells our body when is time to change.
So, changes occur at the epigenetic level.
That is, certain genes start to...
...express themselves instead of others.
As if we turned on and off the lights of a room.
Epigenio, we get the point.
These genes unleash a crazy production of hormones.
Substances that regulate the activity of a certain tissue or organ.
Men produce testosterone.
Which makes their bodies to grow more muscles...
...and to produce sperm.
Women produce estrogen and progesterone.
Which makes their bodies to get curvier...
...and to produce ovules.
The hormone that unleashes this pandemonium during puberty...
...is called gonadotropin, which is produced in the hypothalamus.
Gelatine in the hippopotamus?
Uncle, you are already losing your mind.
Speaking of the devil, it is during adolescence...
...that the brain enters into a process of remodelling...
...that will take around 10 years.
It has been discovered that during this period,
a neural pruning of all the knowledge and abilities...
...that we don't longer use will take place,
to make room for new knowledge and ideas.
Maybe that's why the adolescent brain works in such a strange way.
Look who's talking.
What? Are you having...
...a typical adolescent crisis, Ricardito?
No, I just hate it when people call me Ricardito.
And when they tie me up to a chair!
These millenials are a little sensitive.
You better think of the rain of friendship requests...
...you're going to have in your social media after airing in this show.
A selfie with your favorite uncle!
Dr Gecko!
I just saw the picture you published.
Get Ricardito out of that chair...
...immediately!
Looking at Facebook in working hours, Dr.?
EhemÉ
Dr. Gecko, don't change the subject.
But Dr., it's for the benefit of science.
- No way, Dr. Gecko. - We cannot have teenagers...
- ...lurking around the set. - Dr. Gecko, I am not discussing this.
Ok, fine.
But I won't be held responsible forÉ
Holy salamanders!
The teenager is on the loose.
Epigenio!
I can't leave you in charge for a second.
Only I can think of trusting on a fly forÉ
Get me down!
Ricardito!
I mean, Ricardo.
Don't be cruel.
See, Dr. Gecko?
That's what you get for underestimating teenagers.
Adolescence is an stage full of good things, isn't that so, Ricardo?
One hundred percent, baby.
An adolescent's mind is rediscovering the world.
Sensations and feelings are much more intense.
And all the experiences they have at this age...
...will be very important and determinant...
...for the rest of their lives.
The plasticity of the adolescent brain...
...allows it to learn more quickly than an adult's one.
Also, at this age our bodies are in their best moment.
Senses, coordination and agility are at its maximum,
...and the immune system is very strong.
The adolescence is maybe the healthier age of them all.
So enjoy it, guys!
So they are invincible now, aren't they?
I didn't mean that, Dr. Gecko.
Adolescents are exposed to many risks...
...since some of the peculiarities that make them awesome...
...also make them vulnerable.
A rise in the number Of unplanned pregnancies,
...sexually transmitted diseases,
...accidents,
...consumption of toxic substances,
...and even cases of suicide has been observed.
There is also evidence that at this age...
...some psychiatric conditions can emerge,
...sometimes brought about by drug abuse.
And why isn't anybody doing something?
Here at INMEGEN we studying to find the links...
...between different genes and...
...some psychiatric conditions in young people.
There are studies that search to understand...
...eating disorders from a genetic perspective.
However, there is still much to explore and research.
Ok, I can come down now?
Dr. Mirna Morales is our guest today.
Would you like to ask him some question, Ricardo?
Hey, I'm the one asking the questions around here.
Hi, Dr. Gecko! How are you?
Did you do something with your hair?
I have noticed that some of my friends...
...already look like adolescents...
...but others not quite yet.
That can be as a result of both genetic factors, Those from your family,
...and social factors,
...such as what you eat, or whether you practice sports,
...which make you reach maturity before other kids.
But don't worry.
You all will get to be adults in the end.
And what if I was born with a gene for schizophrenia or depression?
There is indeed a predisposition...
...if there is someone in your family with this condition.
But don't worry.
That doesn't mean that you will have schizophrenia.
Drugs can be an important factor,
specially if you consume them during adolescence,
since your brain is not mature yet.
Also at this age, boys and girls can have some eating disorders...
...such as anorexia and bulimia.
So, it's very important that if you have problems...
...with your eating habits,
to tell your parents so they can take you to an specialist.
Did you like being a teenager?
Sure! I liked it a lot.
I met some of my best friends, that still are,
and also it was when I realized I liked science a lot.
It is a stage when you can choose to be whatever you want.
Yeah, very fascinating.
Hey! One like for my selfie.
Hey, Epigenio, you still haven't accepted my friend request.
Who do you think you are?
Oh, my battery died!
Hello?
Dr. Nina?
Evelina?
Anybody?
I'm getting too old for this.
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