Leela the mutant

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Leela is a mutant, most of us will agree. Interesting little thingy... Leela backwards is aleel. Which sounds exactly like "allele". Anyone here remember your biology classes and learning about alleles controlling traits? It's a tenuous link, but I think they may have done this on purpose.

[#1 :]

...right...

[#2 :]

WTF is an allele!!?

I never did biology, I was strickly a physics n chemistry man

[#3 :]

 

Originally posted by TheMadCapper:
Leela is a mutant, most of us will agree. Interesting little thingy... Leela backwards is aleel. Which sounds exactly like "allele". Anyone here remember your biology classes and learning about alleles controlling traits? It's a tenuous link, but I think they may have done this on purpose.

And "Fry" means "above" in Welsh, so in an upcoming episode we discover Fry's actually from Cardiff! 

Seriously, I shouldn't read too much into it.  There was a rumour that Leela was named after the "Doctor Who" character, but Matt Groening's said this isn't true, so maybe it's just a name picked at random.

[#4 :]

Yeah, and Amy backwards is yma, short for Yo Mama! Nah, I'm just kiddin'.

[#5 :]

I'm going to have to say you're taking this whole "Bio Major" thang a bit too far with this one.

[#6 :]

Yeah yeah. Prolly just a coinkydink. I wouldn't put it past Groening and his crew, though.

[#7 :]

Actually, Leela was originally named Leila but changed to Leela after some response from the fans i hear.
and like AstroZombie i too ask, WTF is an allele? 

[#8 :]

Isn't an allele kinda like a gene that is related to blood?  I am pretty sure alleles are what your blood type is refering to (type O means you have O type alleles).  There might be more types of alleles, though.

I am positive though that alleles are groups of genes that determine (maybe only blood?) traits.

[#9 :]

Technical explanation of allele by "The Dictionary  of Cell and Molecular Biology

Even more technical explanation by "Biotechnology Dictionary"

Looks like it used to describe when different versions of the same gene appear simultanously, some sort of mutation. But I'm sure TMC will be more than happy to describe it.

Although it probably isn't beyond Matt and especially David to do this, I think the Turangalila-explanation is the best bet.

[#10 :]

Geez, this is a lot of material, actually. Ok. People have 2 genes for almost everything. One from mom and one from dad. Alleles are what we call different versions of genes that control the same thing. So alleles are genes that control the same thing, but possibly not with the exact same result.  For example, polydactyly (extra fingers) and normal finger numbers... caused by different alleles of the same gene. You can have 2 genes which both call for normal finger numbers too, of course.

So alleles are like multiple possible designs for the living room. Both will decorate the same room, but they might not do it the same way.

Did that help anyone? It's difficult to explain without rambling and getting into Mendel and Punnet squares and all that other junk.

[#11 :]

I believe there was a French composer, who made the classical piece Turangalila [SP?].  I don't know the details.  Danny should know.

[#12 :]

To elaborate on ZombieJesus' post:

Leela's first name is "Turanga", making her full name "Turanga Leela". This is actually a very obscure joke, because she appears to be named after a symphony by Olivier Messiaen called "Turangalîla".

--From The Leela Zone's 'biography' page.

...however, even if what TMC brings up wasn't intentional on Matt's part, it may have subconsciously "clicked" with the name of the symphony while he was considering names...

[#13 :]

Written by Olivier Messiaen. Olivier Messiaen said the Turangalila-Symphonie is a song of love and a hymn to joy. Quite fitting, eh?

Read more about Messiaen here.

That explanation is great, TMC. Certainly made me understand what an allele is.

[#14 :]

 

Originally posted by BrainSluggo:
To elaborate on ZombieJesus' post:

Leela's first name is "Turanga", making her full name "Turanga Leela". This is actually a very obscure joke, because she appears to be named after a symphony by Olivier Messiaen called "Turangalîla".

--From The Leela Zone's 'biography' page.

...however, even if what TMC brings up wasn't intentional on Matt's part, it may have subconsciously "clicked" with the name of the symphony while he was considering names...

Interestingly enough, Russians pronounce her Lila (or they do atleast at the two Russain websites) although they do go on to say Toronga instead.

What you say? "Shut up Zed?" Grumblegrumblegrumble......

[#15 :]

 

Originally posted by TheMadCapper:
Leela is a mutant, most of us will agree. Interesting little thingy... Leela backwards is aleel. Which sounds exactly like "allele". Anyone here remember your biology classes and learning about alleles controlling traits? It's a tenuous link, but I think they may have done this on purpose.

Did you have to tell everyone what my name means backwards?!?   

[#16 :]

Your name was the catalyst that started off that chain of thought. Feel special.

[#17 :]

 

Originally posted by TheMadCapper:
Your name was the catalyst that started off that chain of thought. Feel special.

Thank you!..... hm... should one thank ya for that...?