People in northern and southern China have different genes. CFP
你知道中国各地的人都有着不同的生活习惯和喜好吗？
For example, people from southern China prefer to eat vegetables, while people from north China like to eat meat. But what causes these differences?
比如，南方人喜欢吃蔬菜，而北方人喜欢吃肉。但是什么导致了这些差异呢？
According to a new study published in the journal Cell in October, gene variations might be responsible for these differences, Xinhua reported.
据新华社报道，《细胞》期刊10月发表的一项新研究表明，基因变异或许是导致这些差异的原因。
In the study, researchers from Chinese genome-sequencing firm BGI collected genetic information from 141,431 Chinese women. The women came from 31 provinces and comprised 36 ethnic minority groups.
研究中，来自中国基因组测序公司华大基因的研究人员从141431名中国女性身上提取了基因信息。这些女性来自31个省市，36个少数民族。
The researchers found that there are six gene frequencies that are different among people from both northern and southern China. They found that natural selection has played an important role in the ways that people living in different regions of China have evolved, affecting their food preferences, immunities to illness and physical traits, the New York Times reported.
研究人员发现，南方人和北方人之间存在6种不同的基因频率。据《纽约时报》报道，他们发现自然选择在各地人们进化过程中发挥着重要作用，影响人们的饮食偏好、疾病免疫以及生理特点。
The researchers reported that a variation of the gene FADS2 is more commonly found in northern people than it is in southern people. It helps people metabolize fatty acids, which suggests a diet that is rich in meat. According to Xinhua, this is due to climate differences. Northern China is at a higher latitude, which means it’s cold and dry throughout the whole year. This weather is difficult to grow vegetables in. Therefore, northerners tend to eat more meat.
研究人员报告称，和南方人相比，FADS2基因的变异在北方人中更为常见。它能帮助人们代谢脂肪酸，表明人们饮食中肉类摄入比例较大。据新华社报道，这与气候差异有关。北方地区纬度较高，意味着全年都较为寒冷干燥。这样的气候难以种植蔬菜。因此，北方人会摄入更多肉类。
The study also found differences in the immune systems of both groups. Most people in southern China carry the gene CR1, which protects against malaria. This is because malaria was once quite common in southern China. In order to survive, the genes of people in the south evolved to fight against this disease. However, people in the south are also more vulnerable to certain blood-borne illnesses, as they lack the genes to stop them.
研究还发现，南北方人的免疫系统也存在差异。大多数南方人带有能够抵抗疟疾的CR1基因。这是因为疟疾曾一度在南方地区肆虐。为了生存，南方人进化出了抵抗疟疾的基因。然而，南方人也更易患上某些血液病，因为他们缺乏抵抗相关疾病的基因。
Genes can also cause physical differences between northerners and southerners. Most northerners have the ABCC11 gene, which causes dry earwax, less body odor and fewer sweat secretions, The New York Times reported. These physical differences are also more beneficial to living in cold environments. Southerners are less likely to have this gene, as it did not evolve in their population.
此外，基因也会导致南北方人产生生理差异。据《纽约时报》报道，大多数北方人拥有ABCC11基因，结果表现为干性耳垢、体味较小、汗水分泌较少。这些生理差异也更有利于在寒冷环境中生存。而这种基因在南方人当中不大常见，没有发生基因进化。
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