Biological Basis for Life

Lesson 3: “Biological Basis for Life.” Here, the secrets of the cell are revealed. You will learn basic cell structure & the structure & function of DNA. DNA composition, genes, chromosome structure, mitosis, and meiosis are explained by experts in ways that enable us to understand them. These principles are also illustrated in a modern context using analyses of ancient DNA from Neanderthals, interviews with DNA crime lab experts, and an in-depth view of one woman’s experience living with a challenging genetic mutation.

While responding to the dvd lesson, you may refer to the chapter as necessary. See attached ppt for this chapter. However, make sure to focus your post on the lesson content. Quote or make explicit references to what the big name commentators say in the lesson. Now, please address one of the topics that follow. [See the "Rubric" for grading listed in the course syllabus.] Remember, the dvd lesson is the main focus here and your post MUST refer to the speakers or scientists.

Choose any two of these topics. [Focus on the video lesson]

a. Discuss the controversies surrounding the practice of cloning. Did “Dolly” have a healthy life? Why/why not?

b. Discuss how knowledge from the Human Genome Project can contribute to a greater understanding of humans & their health issues.

c. Describe & discuss the basis for Rose Lynn’s medical condition.

When you see terms presented onscreen, take note, get the definition/meaning, and know that such will come back to haunt you in quizzes and exams.

There are two examples from my classmates,

One:

Biological Basis for Life

b. Discuss how knowledge from the Human Genome Project can contribute to a greater understanding of humans & their health issues.

By continually expanding research, the Human Genome Project can make it possible for doctors to treat disease, or have the ability to fix incorrect genes. The project may also pave the way to cloning. In addition, by studying the entirety of our DNA, we may find a deeper understanding to our evolutionary process when compared and contrasted to ancestors.

The Human Genome Project is nothing short of amazing--however, the implementation of the research would change many facets of life. We would have new professions and would have to be accepting of this new technology and power available to society.

c. Describe & discuss the basis for Rose Lynn’s medical condition.

Rose Lynn suffers from Gaucher disease. Her DNA has a mistake in it and affects her ability to walk, resulting in the need for crutches as a teenager. Her system is unable to produce the enzyme called beta-glucocerebrosidase. As a result, the deficiency causes erosion of bone tissue and bone pain, as explained by Barry Rosenbloom, M.D. The cells that combined to create Rose Lynn Fisher both carried a gene with a mistake in it. As a result of the disease, she has to receive treatments to get replacement enzymes.

While Rose Lynn has to receive help to keep herself healthy, it is fascinating that we have the ability to pinpoint and provide supplements for a process carried out by DNA.

Definitions:

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) - Double helix which contains an organism’s genetic code.

Nucleotides - Phosphate, sugar, base.

Proteins - Three dimensional molecules that help form cells and tissue.

Hemoglobin - Carries oxygen in bloodstream.

Enzymes - Facilitate chemical reactions. Speed up process.

Amino Acids - Organic compound containing both a carboxyl and amino group.

Gene - Sequence of DNA that specifies order of amino acids in a protein or portion of a protein.

Chromosomes - Composed of DNA and protein. Found in nuclei of cells; visible under microscope under instances of cell division.

Human Genome Project - Scientific research project with the goal of determining the sequence of chemical base pairs which make up human DNA.

Locus - Position on a chromosome where a gene is located.

Alleles - Alternate forms of genes which occur at same locus and govern the same trait. (i.e. blood type).

Mitosis - Cell division used to grow or repair tissue. “Simple cell division”.

Meiosis - Cell division that results in the sex cells required for reproduction.

Recombination - “Crossing Over”--Each egg and sperm contains a slightly different combination of parental DNA; making each offspring unique.

Point-Mutation - Change in a single base of the DNA sequence.

Karyotype - Displays an individual’s chromosome pairs in a photomicrograph. Useful for identifying chromosomal disorders in fetuses.

Another One:

Discuss how knowledge from the Human Genome Project can contribute to a greater understanding of humans & their health issues.

Having a greater amount of knowledge regarding the Human Genome Project can greatly benefit us in understanding who we are as humans and the health issues we endure. The more we know about our genes, the greater opportunities there are for doctors to help treat diseases and attempt to correct gene mutations. Dr. Edward Rubin shed light on the fact that the Human Genome is almost like a map. If we can continue to learn exactly how to read the map, we will be more likely capable of finding the solutions to any and all discrepancies. Thus far we have been able to identify the fact that the genetic code contains four different types of base letters. “The particular ordering of the base letters give the meaning or genetic instructions”, as Dr. Michod stated (Physical Anthropology: The Evolving Human).

Describe & discuss the basis for Rose Lynn’s medical condition.

The medical condition that Rose Lynn suffers from is called Gaucher Diesease. What this means is that Rose’s body is unable to produce an enzyme known as beta-glucocerebrosidase. Rose’s body unfortunately erodes its own bone tissue due to this deficiency. This was inherited by Rose due to the genes that she had passed onto her from her parents. The specific genes that cause this disease are examples of a point mutation. Because of Rose Lynn’s deficiency, she is forced to rely on doctors to supply her with the enzymes that her body needs.

Terms:

Nucleotide: A strand of molecular units, containing phosphate, sugar and a base (bases include: adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine)

DNA: The double stranded molecule found in every organism containing its genetic code

Double Helix: A molecular structure of DNA

Proteins: Three dimensional molecules that serve functions in the cell

Hemoglobin: Responsible for carries oxygen in the bloodstream

Enzymes: Facilitate chemical reaction in body

Amino Acids: make proteins, how they are assembled determines what proteins are being produced

Gene: A sequence of DNA that specifies the order of amino acids in and entire protein or a portion it

Chromosomes: Composed of a protein & DNA

Mitosis: The cell division our bodies use to grow or repair damaged tissue

Meiosis: Specialized cell division that results in the sex cells required for reproduction

Recombination: Chromosomes pairs exchanging alleles during division, also called crossing over

Point Mutation: A change is a single base of a DNA sequence

Locus: The position on a chromosome where a given gene is located

Allele: Alternate forms of genes which occur at the same locus and govern the same trait

Karyotype: Used to detect genetic abnormalities which display an individual’s chromosome pairs in photomicrograph

Works Cited:

Allen, John, Susan Anton and Craig Stanford. Exploring Biological Anthropology: The Essentials. 3rd edition: Pearson, 2013. Print.

Physical Anthropology: The Evolving Human. Instructional Television. Los Angeles Community College District. DVD.