Genome Chapter 9 Summary: Disease (6th Entry)

Chapter 9: Disease

 Chapter 9 begins by discussing the variation of blood types among humans.  The discussion delves into the variation and explains it as a result of genetic mutations.  Ridley differentiates between random genetic mutations and the actual mechanism of natural selection.  Further into the chapter, Ridley notes how different blood types are, in truth, more susceptible to different kinds of disease.  Cholera is linked to A and AB while malaria is linked to O types.  Additionally, the relationship between the genetic sickle-cell disease and malaria is discussed.  Ridley asserts that certain genes are still present, even if they may sometimes cause diseases, because when used in the correct combination, they code for resistance to much more deadly infectious diseases. 

BOW: Compare and Contrast Invertebrates

Pick 3 invertebrates Compare them in terms of physical features and systems. Identify at least 3 similarities and 3 differences Include pictures and References

Invertebrate #1

 Invertebrate #2

Invertebrate #3

Similarities
   As invertebrates, these animals lack defined backbones that hold them in structure.  To make up for this, invertebrates 1 and 2 respectively use an exoskeleton and a shell to protect themselves from their environment.  The squid and the snail are mainly composed of soft and squishy bodies.  Both the grasshopper and the snail have adaptions to help with respiration on land. 

Differences
   These invertebrates are relatively soft and may be easily crushed.  Although the first two have protection, because it lives in an aquatic environment, the squid uses other adaptions like ink and camouflage to protect itself.  The grasshopper breathes through openings in its abdomen called spiracles.  Terrestrial snails have an opening on their right side called a pneumostome that allows them to breathe.

Genome Chapter 22: Free Will

Ridley's final chapter of Genome discusses the seemingly conflicting concepts of free will and genetic determinism.  Free Will supposes that each individual controls all of his and her actions through conscious deliberation and use of experience and knowledge.  In contrast, genetic determinism in its extreme supposes that any and all actions made by humans, animals, or plants, are planned, dictated, and predetermined by the genes that are coded in each cell of our body.  Ridley supposes the determinism is not very plausible and that the aspect of nurture plays a large role that should not be taken for granted.  Ridley invokes an example using child abusers.  Using this topic, Ridley also notes that children may often stimulate nurture in their own parents because it helps the learn how to better care and foster safer environments that are beneficial to the overall survival and fitness of a species. It is important to consider that nearly infinite number of factors and influences that may steer an organism.  Free will is also one of these factors. While it may not be able to control everything, it is certainly a major part in the events that occur in the lives of humans and other organisms.

Genome Chapter 17: Death

   Ridley opens chapter 17 by introducing the idea that, occasionally, there will be times in which cells will reproduce when they are not typically supposed to do so.  Delving further in, Ridley notes that this is the basis for cancer.  Cancer is the uncontrolled and detrimental reproduction of cells.  This uncontrolled reproduction causes masses of cells called tumors that can severely inhibit and damage bodily functions.  Often, death follows untreatable tumors.  According to the chapter, chromosome 17 is home to gene TP53.  This gene is central because it controls and suppresses rogue cancer cells.  This gene is integral to stopping cells or tissues from becoming cancerous.  In contrast, oncogenes promote cell growth and, if left unchecked, will cause cancer.  It is also important to note that tumor suppressing genes may also cause cancer if left unchecked. Moving on, Ridley expands on the concept of mutator genes that cause cancer.  Additionally, various types of cancers are explained and efforts made by scientists to employ proteins as a cancer drug are elaborated on. 

Genome Chapter 15: Sex

   Opening this chapter, the author discusses a couple genetic diseases.  However, Ridley makes it a point to note that genes are not there to cause disease.  According to the chapter, both diseases are apart of Chromosome 15.  However, the relationship between the two conditions is that, if your parents passes the gene to you, the type of disease you get depends on whether or not you inherited the gene from your mother or your father.  Moving on, Ridley describes the process of cloning and how such processes, as demonstrated in the sheep Dolly, have the effect of removing genetic imprints.  that may influence and organism.  Specific genes from parents can affect the development of organs that later become central to the development of thinking, perception, and moods.  According to the chapter, some scientific evidence is demonstrative of the notion that behavioral gender roles may be controlled or influenced by the genome.  This comes in contrast to the traditional notion that gender roles have been developed and based around society influence and environmental stimulation.

Blog 5: Why is it important to define and debate our understanding of intelligence and its origins? How does this relate to you?

Why is it important to define and debate our understanding of intelligence and its origins? How does this relate to you?

   To understand a concept often means to define it.  Without at least a rigid definition of a concept, it is difficult to develop a solid and true understanding of the mechanics, details, and intricacies that define the concept.  With the concept of intelligence, the issue is even more important because, in current society, intelligence is an integral aspect surrounding everything from politics to academics and games to employment.  Everyone wants to be intelligent.  However, in pursuing intelligence, many people are not able to articulate what they believe to define intelligence.  Without knowing specifically what is being pursued, it is difficult for anyone to set goals and find directions through which they should move.  Through defining and understanding intelligence, the types of intelligences, how intelligence is developed, and why certain actions affect intelligence will help an individual to pursue self development and make clearer goals and milestones. 


  As a student, defining intelligence and its origin is important because it directly applies to how I learn and how I absorb and apply the information that is taught at school.  Recognizing the which intelligences apply to me and the types of study techniques and habits are the most effective will help aid my learning and my grades.  As a biology student, the issue of intelligence is central to the debate between nature and nurture.  Whether or not intelligence is based on personal experiences or on the lump sum of genes that reside within each cell is a question that has many facets and details.  Because this subject relates to the development of animals and the way genes control organisms, it is an important topic to consider.
  

Nephron Blog

Nephrons are the basic structural and functional units in the kidney.  The main purpose of the nephron is to regulate and control the concentration of water and the soluble substances that flow throughout the human body.  An example of the regulated substances include sodium salts.  The nephron works by using a small blood vessel to act as a filtering unit that keeps typical cells and proteins flowing through the blood stream.  At the same time, a chemical exchange causes specific waster materials and water to leave the blood and enter the urinary system.