An area of particular interest was the subject of Epigenetics, which was discussed in chapter 7. I always thought that whatever was present in an individual's DNA is what would also be expressed. Who ever imagined that certain methyl mark-ups could determine how much or little a gene would be expressed in an organism? I find that amazing, and a huge indicator on how the many areas of biology are indeed, still continuing to evolve.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Novel Response.
I must say that Survival of the Sickest, was one of the most intriguing books that I have ever read. The various possibilities and relationships that the Dr. Sharon Moalem explores is of high interest, for the topics that are discussed affect everyone in some way. For example, the causes of certain genetic diseases such as Hemochromatosis and diabetes are compelling when explained from an evolutionary perspective. Also, the relationships between humans and bacteria can be symbiotic. The author did a phenomenal job of expressing his ideas and thorough research in a step-by-step approach. Although it was difficult to switch between two obscure ideas throughout a chapter, a remarkable connection was eventually made to place reasoning behind a cause. An example of when this took place was in chapter two, when the story switched between the subjects of diabetes and climate change. I would have never imagined that one caused the other!
Conclusion
33. On a personal note, what would you add to his list (of appreciation from the book)
Personally, I would add that everything happens for a reason. As the book suggests, many potentially harmful disorders are caused by the evolutionary pressure to survive and reproduce. As the human species thrives to adhere to evolutionary standards, many adaptations to a changing environment result in the development of diseases and disorders that were beneficial for the time, but not in the long-term.
34. The quotation by Theodosius Dobzhansky stating that, “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution,” is supported by the concepts prescribed in the book Survival of the Sickest. The book explains the reasoning behind many phenomenons that are pertaining to the human race and their interactions with other organisms through the idea of evolution. Dr. Moalem directly answers any question pertaining to the actions and behaviors of multiple species under the same evolutionary mantra- to survive and reproduce.
Personally, I would add that everything happens for a reason. As the book suggests, many potentially harmful disorders are caused by the evolutionary pressure to survive and reproduce. As the human species thrives to adhere to evolutionary standards, many adaptations to a changing environment result in the development of diseases and disorders that were beneficial for the time, but not in the long-term.
34. The quotation by Theodosius Dobzhansky stating that, “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution,” is supported by the concepts prescribed in the book Survival of the Sickest. The book explains the reasoning behind many phenomenons that are pertaining to the human race and their interactions with other organisms through the idea of evolution. Dr. Moalem directly answers any question pertaining to the actions and behaviors of multiple species under the same evolutionary mantra- to survive and reproduce.
Chapter 8
28. Make connections between the following terms:
a. Progeria is caused by a gene that is responsible for the production of lamina A. This protein is usually in charge of providing structural support for the nuclear membrane that houses genes at the center of every cell. Those who have progeria also have defective lamina A, along with cells that deteriorate at rapid rates.
b. The Hayflick limit is the amount of times all human cells can reproduce until they re completely exhausted. The limit on cellular reproduction in humans is 52-60 times. This limit is caused by the loss of telemores, a genetic buffer at the ends of chromosomes. Telemores provides blank slots that can replace the bits of DNA that are gradually reduced as a cell divides. But a cell only has a limited amount of telemores, which directly limits the amount of cellular replication.
c. Cancer cells and stem cells are often dubbed as “immortal cells” because they have the ability to form at unprecedented rates. Both types of cells use telemerase to fix their telemeres in a lengthened state at the ends of chromosomes so that cell production can continue.
d. In mammals, the larger the natural size of a species is, the longer the average member of the species lives. This is partially due to larger animals having a superior ability in repairing DNA.
e. Risky childbirth is something that humans must endure due to evolutionary advantages. As humans evolved to have larger brains, it was necessary to have larger skulls for protection.This made childbirth risky, for human offspring with larger heads have to ease their way through a small birth canal, which can result into many complications. Furthermore, bipedalism requires females to have larger pelvis that is “twisted” in the middle, and widens at the point of the birth canal’s beginning.
29. Explain the author’s iPod and aging analogy.
The iPod analogy is used to describe the aging of organisms that are evolved to have shorter lives. If a particular species has a low life-expectancy and DNA errors, it pointless to solve those errors because it will not live to experience the effects. This is the same as not buying an extended warranty on an iPod that you only plan to keep for a week.
30. Identify the 5 lines of cancer defense.
1. There are specific genes responsible for tumor supression.
2. Certain genes call for specialized cancer hunters that are programmed to seek and destroy cells.
3. Some genes are responsible for repairing the genes that fight cancer.
4. Apostosis “convinces” dangerous cells to kill themselves.
5. The Hayflick limit supresses the number of times a cell can reproduce to the maximum of about 60 times.
31. What are the two accomplishments of biogenic obsolescence?
The first is clearing out older models for new ones, which means that there is more rrom for change, or evolution. Second, aging protects the group from contracting harmful parasites that can be passed on to future generations. A species can upgrade itself through sex and reproduction.
32. Compare and contrast the Savanna and aquatic ape hypotheses.
The savanna and aquatic ape hypotheses are two rivalry explanations that attempt to answer certain evolutionary changes in humans. In a general sense, the savanna hypothesis holds that our apelike ancestors migrated to the great grassy plains from forests because of climate change. Bipedalism was a result of having the ability to easily scan an area for food resources. Brave males who needed to hunt for their meals lost a lot of their hair so that they could cool down, because they tended to overheat. In comparison, the aquatic ape hypothesis attempted to explain an evolutionary cycle without centering around males. It suggested that humans spent time in both the water and land. Because standing upright allowed humans to venture into deeper water, bipedalism evolved. A prominent nose with nostrils on the bottom-side allowed humans to dive. Extra fat along the skin in humans provides warmth and keeps them afloat in water. Both hypotheses acknowledge the influence of water in the evolutionary traits of humans. The main difference is the hyped analysis surrounding males and the amount of water exposure and dependence throughout the pre-human lives.
Chapter 7
25. Make connections between the following terms:
a. Agouti mice are yellow in color and large, often obese in size. These characteristics cause them to be highly susceptible to cancer and heart disease. As vitamins were supplied to the experimental group of pregnant Agouti mice in a research study at Duke university, thin brown mice who carried the Agouti gene were born. The chemical methyl was attached to the gene and suppressed its expression, otherwise known as DNA methylation. This meant that the environment of the pregnant mice (vitamins) allowed healthier Agouti mice that carried the gene but did not display the characteristics.
b. A certain species of lizard produce offspring that have long or short bodies and tails depending on whether or not the mother smelled a lizard-eating snake during her pregnancy. If so, the offspring will have long bodies and tails to lower their risk of being snake food.
c. The barker hypothesis calls for acquiring a thrifty phenotype. In the case of smoking fathers who had picked up the habit before puberty, the toxins of inhaled smoke are also embedded into male sperm. The sperm signals a difficult environment to the fetus, which means that the sperm creates a child with a metabolism that is sufficient in maintaining energy. A smaller baby results into an overweight child in response to the high calorie, low nutrient Western diet.
d. Maternal inheritance in terms of epigenesis is very direct, in terms of ercieving a particular methyl markup. The egg an that individual developed from was created in their mother’s womb while their mother was still inside that indivudal’s grandmother’s womb. This direct link proves to have epigenetic effects, for if a grandmother smoked, she passed along an epigentic effect to her daughter’s egg supply. That effect caused the grandchildren in the lineage to be more susceptible to asthma.
e. Betel nut chewing is a common cause of oral cancer because it hpermethylates three cancer-fighting genes. These three genes supress tumors, repair DNA, and force lone cancer cells to self-destruct. Because these three genes are hypermethylated by vigorous betel nut chewing, those who feed their habit eventually develop cancer.
26. Epigenesis may be partially responisble for the childhood epidemic of obesity. Explain.
If a mother consumes a lot of junk food, especially during the first critical but unknown weeks of her pregnancy, the embryo receives signals that allude to a nutrient-poor environment in its future. So as certain genes are expressed more than others through epigenesis, the baby is born small, so it needs less food to survive. As a thrifty metabolism settles in, the baby is exposed to foods that are nutritonally poor and calorie rich. This results in fatter children and higher obesity rates.
27. “Good times mean more boys. Tough times mean more girls.” Explain.
Males are more demanding biologically on the mother’s body during pregnancy and are less likely to survive if malnourished. Whether it is the high stress of a tough time that affects how a mother can take care of herself, more boys are miscarried. In fact, male miscarriages had risen to an astronomical increase of 25 percent after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. From an evolutionary prospective, a higher number of females and a few strong males allow for an assured preservation of the human race during tough times than vice versa. Furthermore, after major events such as World War I and II, there was a higher male birth rate.
a. Agouti mice are yellow in color and large, often obese in size. These characteristics cause them to be highly susceptible to cancer and heart disease. As vitamins were supplied to the experimental group of pregnant Agouti mice in a research study at Duke university, thin brown mice who carried the Agouti gene were born. The chemical methyl was attached to the gene and suppressed its expression, otherwise known as DNA methylation. This meant that the environment of the pregnant mice (vitamins) allowed healthier Agouti mice that carried the gene but did not display the characteristics.
b. A certain species of lizard produce offspring that have long or short bodies and tails depending on whether or not the mother smelled a lizard-eating snake during her pregnancy. If so, the offspring will have long bodies and tails to lower their risk of being snake food.
c. The barker hypothesis calls for acquiring a thrifty phenotype. In the case of smoking fathers who had picked up the habit before puberty, the toxins of inhaled smoke are also embedded into male sperm. The sperm signals a difficult environment to the fetus, which means that the sperm creates a child with a metabolism that is sufficient in maintaining energy. A smaller baby results into an overweight child in response to the high calorie, low nutrient Western diet.
d. Maternal inheritance in terms of epigenesis is very direct, in terms of ercieving a particular methyl markup. The egg an that individual developed from was created in their mother’s womb while their mother was still inside that indivudal’s grandmother’s womb. This direct link proves to have epigenetic effects, for if a grandmother smoked, she passed along an epigentic effect to her daughter’s egg supply. That effect caused the grandchildren in the lineage to be more susceptible to asthma.
e. Betel nut chewing is a common cause of oral cancer because it hpermethylates three cancer-fighting genes. These three genes supress tumors, repair DNA, and force lone cancer cells to self-destruct. Because these three genes are hypermethylated by vigorous betel nut chewing, those who feed their habit eventually develop cancer.
26. Epigenesis may be partially responisble for the childhood epidemic of obesity. Explain.
If a mother consumes a lot of junk food, especially during the first critical but unknown weeks of her pregnancy, the embryo receives signals that allude to a nutrient-poor environment in its future. So as certain genes are expressed more than others through epigenesis, the baby is born small, so it needs less food to survive. As a thrifty metabolism settles in, the baby is exposed to foods that are nutritonally poor and calorie rich. This results in fatter children and higher obesity rates.
27. “Good times mean more boys. Tough times mean more girls.” Explain.
Males are more demanding biologically on the mother’s body during pregnancy and are less likely to survive if malnourished. Whether it is the high stress of a tough time that affects how a mother can take care of herself, more boys are miscarried. In fact, male miscarriages had risen to an astronomical increase of 25 percent after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. From an evolutionary prospective, a higher number of females and a few strong males allow for an assured preservation of the human race during tough times than vice versa. Furthermore, after major events such as World War I and II, there was a higher male birth rate.
Chapter 6
20. Briefly discuss the following terms/scientists:
a. Dr. Edward Jenner was a country physician during the eighteenth century in England. He noticed that milkmaids who contracted cowpox had immunity to the very deadly infection of smallpox. A cowpox infection protected those infected from smallpox as well. Dr. Jenner had unveiled the first vaccination known to humans.
b.The first vaccination was derived from the cowpox infection to treat smallpox. A vaccine uses a mild or harmless version of a virus, so that the immune system can produce and store antibodies that are prepared to attack once the threatening virus invades the body.
c. Antibodies are created by the immune system with the purpose of defense against a harmful virus or unknown intruder in the body. Antibodies are only stored in the body once they have been exposed to the virus. Through a vaccine, antibodies are stored and are prepared to fight any sort of real infection that comes their way.
d. B-cells are a type of white blood cells that aid in the production of antibodies on behalf of the immune system. They are a building block for antibodies because of they snip and reconstruct certain parts of their DNA to adhere to the necessary requirements for a certain antibody.
e. “Junk DNA” refers to the 97 percent of an entire person’s DNA that is not directly responsible for coding proteins that enable cells to be built. As research has progressed, many scientist have taken the “junk” out of its title, for the importance of noncoding DNA has increased. Nearly half of all noncoding DNA are jumping genes, which are closely tied with specific viruses. This means that a great amount of human DNA has components of an evolved form of viruses.
f. Lamarck was a scientist who actually turned out to be more of a philosopher. He was wrongly tied to the idea of inherited acquired traits, which stated that traits acquired by parents in their lifetime would be passed along to their offspring. He promoted this idea, along with the notion of evolution. The idea that he is famously linked to has also found a connection with jumping genes and traits that are passed down a generation.
g. Barbara McCLintlock was an avid researcher in the area of genetics, and focused a lot of her research in corn. She discovered sequences of DNA changing and placing themselves in active gene slots as the environment put stress on the organism. This phenomenon seemed like an intentional mutation, and is often known as “jumping genes”. Despite the skepticism that she received when she first introduced the idea to fellow scientists in the 1950s, she eventually gained the acclaim that she deserved at the age of 81 with a Nobel Prize.
h. The usual replication process calls for DNA to various forms of RNA. Retroviruses are made of RNA, which means that they are transcribed into RNA. something that is the opposite of the information replication process. Retroviruses have the ability to transform a person’s DNA due to the use of reverse transcriptase and rapid reproduction. Because retroviruses are embedded into one’s DNA, they are passed onto further generations- unless they are harmful.
21. What is the Weissman barrier?
The Weissman barrier can be seen as a semi-permeable membrane between germ cells and somatic cells. Germ cells contain information to be passed onto further generations, the prominent cells are the egg and sperm. Somatic cells are every other cell in the body. The Weissman barrier maintains the idea that information from the somatic cells can never be passed onto germ cells.
22. Make connections with the following terms:
a.Transposons and viruses use the same replication process in the body. They use a cut and paste process that often result into mutations. Since DNA transposons (a type of jumping gene) are so similar to viruses, it means that certain viruses have been integrated into the human gene pool through the works of evolution. This means that the viruses linked to the jumping genes have shaped up to behave in a positive way to indivduals through the works of evolution.
b. Flu epidemics and outbreaks are thought to be caused by antigenic shifts and drifts. Antigenic drifts occur when there are mutations in the DNA of a virus. The mutations can be caused by radiation, which is emitted at excessive amounts by the sun. The flaring of sunspots codes for more antigenic drift, which means results to an epidemic or outbreak.
23. Humans have about 25,000 genes and more than a million different antibodies. How is this possible?
Every virus or intruder in the body requires a specific type of antibody formed by a B-cell to fight it. Since the number of viruses out number the amount of genes that humans have, it only makes sense to have more antibodies, so that the human body can prevail in a battle against foreign intruders.
24. What is a persisting virus?
Persisting viruses have migrated into our genome for over millions of years and have established themselves as our evolutionary partners in crime. As the persisting viruses seek shelter in our genes, they have an interest in a continuous and prosperous evolutionary pathway for human beings. Since viruses have the ability to replicate at unprecedented rates, they are able to produce great amounts of valuable genes that aid in human survival and evolution at higher rates than we could ever do
a. Dr. Edward Jenner was a country physician during the eighteenth century in England. He noticed that milkmaids who contracted cowpox had immunity to the very deadly infection of smallpox. A cowpox infection protected those infected from smallpox as well. Dr. Jenner had unveiled the first vaccination known to humans.
b.The first vaccination was derived from the cowpox infection to treat smallpox. A vaccine uses a mild or harmless version of a virus, so that the immune system can produce and store antibodies that are prepared to attack once the threatening virus invades the body.
c. Antibodies are created by the immune system with the purpose of defense against a harmful virus or unknown intruder in the body. Antibodies are only stored in the body once they have been exposed to the virus. Through a vaccine, antibodies are stored and are prepared to fight any sort of real infection that comes their way.
d. B-cells are a type of white blood cells that aid in the production of antibodies on behalf of the immune system. They are a building block for antibodies because of they snip and reconstruct certain parts of their DNA to adhere to the necessary requirements for a certain antibody.
e. “Junk DNA” refers to the 97 percent of an entire person’s DNA that is not directly responsible for coding proteins that enable cells to be built. As research has progressed, many scientist have taken the “junk” out of its title, for the importance of noncoding DNA has increased. Nearly half of all noncoding DNA are jumping genes, which are closely tied with specific viruses. This means that a great amount of human DNA has components of an evolved form of viruses.
f. Lamarck was a scientist who actually turned out to be more of a philosopher. He was wrongly tied to the idea of inherited acquired traits, which stated that traits acquired by parents in their lifetime would be passed along to their offspring. He promoted this idea, along with the notion of evolution. The idea that he is famously linked to has also found a connection with jumping genes and traits that are passed down a generation.
g. Barbara McCLintlock was an avid researcher in the area of genetics, and focused a lot of her research in corn. She discovered sequences of DNA changing and placing themselves in active gene slots as the environment put stress on the organism. This phenomenon seemed like an intentional mutation, and is often known as “jumping genes”. Despite the skepticism that she received when she first introduced the idea to fellow scientists in the 1950s, she eventually gained the acclaim that she deserved at the age of 81 with a Nobel Prize.
h. The usual replication process calls for DNA to various forms of RNA. Retroviruses are made of RNA, which means that they are transcribed into RNA. something that is the opposite of the information replication process. Retroviruses have the ability to transform a person’s DNA due to the use of reverse transcriptase and rapid reproduction. Because retroviruses are embedded into one’s DNA, they are passed onto further generations- unless they are harmful.
21. What is the Weissman barrier?
The Weissman barrier can be seen as a semi-permeable membrane between germ cells and somatic cells. Germ cells contain information to be passed onto further generations, the prominent cells are the egg and sperm. Somatic cells are every other cell in the body. The Weissman barrier maintains the idea that information from the somatic cells can never be passed onto germ cells.
22. Make connections with the following terms:
a.Transposons and viruses use the same replication process in the body. They use a cut and paste process that often result into mutations. Since DNA transposons (a type of jumping gene) are so similar to viruses, it means that certain viruses have been integrated into the human gene pool through the works of evolution. This means that the viruses linked to the jumping genes have shaped up to behave in a positive way to indivduals through the works of evolution.
b. Flu epidemics and outbreaks are thought to be caused by antigenic shifts and drifts. Antigenic drifts occur when there are mutations in the DNA of a virus. The mutations can be caused by radiation, which is emitted at excessive amounts by the sun. The flaring of sunspots codes for more antigenic drift, which means results to an epidemic or outbreak.
23. Humans have about 25,000 genes and more than a million different antibodies. How is this possible?
Every virus or intruder in the body requires a specific type of antibody formed by a B-cell to fight it. Since the number of viruses out number the amount of genes that humans have, it only makes sense to have more antibodies, so that the human body can prevail in a battle against foreign intruders.
24. What is a persisting virus?
Persisting viruses have migrated into our genome for over millions of years and have established themselves as our evolutionary partners in crime. As the persisting viruses seek shelter in our genes, they have an interest in a continuous and prosperous evolutionary pathway for human beings. Since viruses have the ability to replicate at unprecedented rates, they are able to produce great amounts of valuable genes that aid in human survival and evolution at higher rates than we could ever do
Chapter 5
16. Complete the parasite chart.
(This is included in the e-mail that was sent to Mr. Bauer)
17. Identify 3 ways in which microbes/parasites move from host to host.
The first way that microbes and/or parasites move from host to host is through a form of transmission that is within close proximity. This includes passage through the air or direct physical contact. Second, parasitic transmission can occur through a “middle man”. This means that the parasite uses an another organism as a mode of transportation to another host, such as mosquitoes and flies. Last is traveling via tainted water or food, as it is with the case of malaria and typhus.
18. For each pathway listed in question #2, explain the relationship of the mode of transmission to the virulence of the intruder.
The first pathway regarding close proximity is one that carries unpleasant, yet bearable circumstances for the host. The host is able to deal with the parasitic consequences because the microbe/parasite depends on the host to remain stable as it continues to evolve under the guiding principals of survival and reproduction. Using an intermediate organism can leave the host at a terrible state, like in the disease of malaria, where an individual is near death if left untreated. The parasite must insure that there is as much of it circulating in the blood as possible, so that once a mosquito is more likely to ingest a parasite. This means that the virulence of the intruder is high and damaging. Finally, transmission through food or water is probably considered the most virulent to the intruder due to its easy accessibility to other potential hosts. As long as there is an efficient delivery system for the parasite (such as unprotected food or water), then the degree of the harm caused by the intruder decreases in importance.
19. What is our advantage in the survive-and-produce race?
Despite the faster-paced evolution of parasites and other sorts of bacteria and microbes due to rapid replication, humans have the advantage of intelligence. The human race has the ability to outsmart harmful microbial evolutionary turns by choosing to shape the environment in way that puts the host (the humans) at an advantage. As the resistance to Penicillin proved to evolve in a speedy manner, humans can use their brain power to avert host manipulation by weakening the microbe so that the relationship between the host and the parasite can be symbiotic.
(This is included in the e-mail that was sent to Mr. Bauer)
17. Identify 3 ways in which microbes/parasites move from host to host.
The first way that microbes and/or parasites move from host to host is through a form of transmission that is within close proximity. This includes passage through the air or direct physical contact. Second, parasitic transmission can occur through a “middle man”. This means that the parasite uses an another organism as a mode of transportation to another host, such as mosquitoes and flies. Last is traveling via tainted water or food, as it is with the case of malaria and typhus.
18. For each pathway listed in question #2, explain the relationship of the mode of transmission to the virulence of the intruder.
The first pathway regarding close proximity is one that carries unpleasant, yet bearable circumstances for the host. The host is able to deal with the parasitic consequences because the microbe/parasite depends on the host to remain stable as it continues to evolve under the guiding principals of survival and reproduction. Using an intermediate organism can leave the host at a terrible state, like in the disease of malaria, where an individual is near death if left untreated. The parasite must insure that there is as much of it circulating in the blood as possible, so that once a mosquito is more likely to ingest a parasite. This means that the virulence of the intruder is high and damaging. Finally, transmission through food or water is probably considered the most virulent to the intruder due to its easy accessibility to other potential hosts. As long as there is an efficient delivery system for the parasite (such as unprotected food or water), then the degree of the harm caused by the intruder decreases in importance.
19. What is our advantage in the survive-and-produce race?
Despite the faster-paced evolution of parasites and other sorts of bacteria and microbes due to rapid replication, humans have the advantage of intelligence. The human race has the ability to outsmart harmful microbial evolutionary turns by choosing to shape the environment in way that puts the host (the humans) at an advantage. As the resistance to Penicillin proved to evolve in a speedy manner, humans can use their brain power to avert host manipulation by weakening the microbe so that the relationship between the host and the parasite can be symbiotic.
Chapter 4
13. Explain the role of G6PO.
G6PD protein production is an important element that is typically found in every red blood cell. The purpose of G6PD is to maintain cellular integrity by dismantling any free radicals or chemical agents that have the potential to destroy a red blood cell.
14. Briefly describe the connection between the two concepts:
a. Many plants have natural defenses to protect ithemselves against grazing predators that seek at the wrong time. The English clover contains a phytoestrogen known as formonenetin, which mimics animal sex hormones. Too much of the phytoestrogen can diminish the reproductive abilities of the animals that intake the English clover. During the 1940s, Australian sheep were eating imported English clover plants that had higher levels of formononetin due to its trouble adapting to the dry climate in Australia. So the ingested levels of formononetin from the English clover was the cause of the Australian sheep breeding crisis of the 1940s.
b. Capsaisin is the sticky fluid among seeds that give hot peppers their heat. It has evolved in a way to ensure that the pepper can be regrown by the spreading of its seeds. Birds are not able to take the heat of capsaisin, and disperse the seeds all over the ground when airborne. Mammals destroy the seeds in the digestion process, and are unable to deal with the extreme heat that is given off by the peppers. This means that evolution has shaped which forms of life are able to intake the capsaisin, so that reproduction can take place.
c. Air conditioning allows individuals who live in areas with high rates of malaria to stay indoors and avoid mosquitoes that carry the potentially deadly disease.
d. Favism and fava beans are evolutionized in a way that make malaria inhospitable in red blood cells. Malaria likes to cling to healthy red blood cells without the presence of any other competitors, such as free radical agents. Favism means that there is a deficiency in the G6PD enxyme, and fava beans release numerous free radicals that cause a deadly environment for malaria.
15. Explain the following statement found on page 87: “Life: it’s such a compromise.”
The author is trying to explain that there a along with good things, comes the unwanted. The example that is used to demonstrate this point is the vegetable celery. While growing stalks of celery, organic farmers don’t use pesticides. But as insects infiltrate a stalk of celery, the natural defense of the vegetable, psoralen, increases due to the invasion of insects and puts the consumer at risk. Ordinary farmers on the other hand use pesticides that are potentially hazardous to human health. Organic farmers protect the outside, while ordinary farmers protect the inside of celery. Compromising means that one must deal with one or the other.
G6PD protein production is an important element that is typically found in every red blood cell. The purpose of G6PD is to maintain cellular integrity by dismantling any free radicals or chemical agents that have the potential to destroy a red blood cell.
14. Briefly describe the connection between the two concepts:
a. Many plants have natural defenses to protect ithemselves against grazing predators that seek at the wrong time. The English clover contains a phytoestrogen known as formonenetin, which mimics animal sex hormones. Too much of the phytoestrogen can diminish the reproductive abilities of the animals that intake the English clover. During the 1940s, Australian sheep were eating imported English clover plants that had higher levels of formononetin due to its trouble adapting to the dry climate in Australia. So the ingested levels of formononetin from the English clover was the cause of the Australian sheep breeding crisis of the 1940s.
b. Capsaisin is the sticky fluid among seeds that give hot peppers their heat. It has evolved in a way to ensure that the pepper can be regrown by the spreading of its seeds. Birds are not able to take the heat of capsaisin, and disperse the seeds all over the ground when airborne. Mammals destroy the seeds in the digestion process, and are unable to deal with the extreme heat that is given off by the peppers. This means that evolution has shaped which forms of life are able to intake the capsaisin, so that reproduction can take place.
c. Air conditioning allows individuals who live in areas with high rates of malaria to stay indoors and avoid mosquitoes that carry the potentially deadly disease.
d. Favism and fava beans are evolutionized in a way that make malaria inhospitable in red blood cells. Malaria likes to cling to healthy red blood cells without the presence of any other competitors, such as free radical agents. Favism means that there is a deficiency in the G6PD enxyme, and fava beans release numerous free radicals that cause a deadly environment for malaria.
15. Explain the following statement found on page 87: “Life: it’s such a compromise.”
The author is trying to explain that there a along with good things, comes the unwanted. The example that is used to demonstrate this point is the vegetable celery. While growing stalks of celery, organic farmers don’t use pesticides. But as insects infiltrate a stalk of celery, the natural defense of the vegetable, psoralen, increases due to the invasion of insects and puts the consumer at risk. Ordinary farmers on the other hand use pesticides that are potentially hazardous to human health. Organic farmers protect the outside, while ordinary farmers protect the inside of celery. Compromising means that one must deal with one or the other.
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