Unit 2

Sickle-Cell Anemia

       

What is sickle-cell anemia, and what causes this this disease?  Why does this disease mostly affect African Americans?  I chose this topic because it’s a disease that I am not familiar with or known any one affected by this disorder. 

Sickle-cell anemia is an inherited disorder in which the red blood cells assume a sickle shape when the oxygen concentration is low.  People who inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have sickle cell trait.  This trait can be passed on to their children.  There are many factors in determining if the trait will be passed on.  For example:

·         If both parents have this trait there is a 25% chance the trait will be passed on.

·         If one parent has this trait, there is a 50% chance the trait will be passed on.

People with disease are born with two sickle cell genes one from each parent.  If you have only one sickle cell gene, it’s call a trait.   Nearly 40% of the black populations have the sickle-cell trait.  1 in 500 African Americans is born with sickle-cell anemia and only 8% have sickle-cell trait.

Sickle-cell anemia is present at birth, but usually don’t show any symptoms until around 4 months of age.  The symptoms that usually occur are shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, coldness in the hands and feet.  Sometimes their skin will turn jaundice like color or even have pale skin or mucous membranes.

Currently bone marrow transplants are the only cure for sickle-cell anemia.  This procedure is not suitable for everyone.  Age, severity of the disease and donor availability play a role, bone marrow produces red blood cell curing the patient of sickle-cell anemia.

In my research on this disease, it’s upsetting to know that African Americans are mostly affected by this disease.  This puts a damper on trying to have a family and worry about this disease.  It would be beneficial for blood tests to be taken before starting a family

Sources

Sickle Cell Trait, Author, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/traits.html

March 27, 2013

Sickle Cell Anemia,

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sicklecellanemia.html

March 27, 2013

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anemia?

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sca/signs.html

March 27, 2013

Cure for Sickle Cell Anemia, Author, Meghan Slocum,

http://www.ehow.com/about_5531141_cure-sickle-cell-anemia.html

March 27, 2013

   

1.        What one assignment or activity you performed in this unit are you the most proud of?

·         Flip-a-coin & genetics calculation lab

2.       What do you now understand best about the information in this unit?

·         Traits and Alleles

3.       What actions did you take for yourself to enhance learning or enjoyment of the material?

·         Viewed the videos and slideshows

4.        When did you feel most “connected” with the course?  Most distanced?   

·         Most connected ,Punnett squares.  Most distanced,  reading the genetic code of mRNA

5.       What could I offer you to help your understanding or enjoyment of the material?

·         More youtube videos

Value of Reproductive Cloning

What is cloning?  Cloning is the production of identical copies of a gene, a cell, or an organism. There are several types of cloning, therapeutic cloning, cloning of the cells from an embryo for the purpose of producing human stem cells, and human reproductive cloning, an adult human cell with the intent of producing a human body. 

Cloning is a very sensitive subject and some view it as morally and ethically wrong.   It should be a personal choice, but it affects our society and religious beliefs, whether you are for or against it, there will never be a mutual agreement on this subject, someone will always have a point of view on the subject.

The process of cloning is a difficult process and requires lots of research and money to develop a fool proof technique.  Scientists are ready to perform the biological engineering in cloning, but know there are moral issues involved in this study.   

Scientists generate clones by replacing the nucleus of an egg cell with that from another individual. Scientists have tried to clone human embryos, but are unsuccessful.  Human cloning is a very difficult process and will take many years of research in order to perfect.

On the other side, you will find an organization that is against this type of research. Human reproductive cloning is a conflict of liberties.  Many feel cloning will cause physical harm and lead to violations from this process, causing psychological harm.  Some scientists believe that it is up to the individual to agree upon the research.

Enacting a so-called ban from congress would accomplish absolutely nothing.  Banning the research would just put the scientists farther behind. If banning were illegal, there would be underground research conducted.  Cloning should not be political, but some feel it will either promote or hurt a political career.  Couples who are wanting to have a test tube baby would file law suits to protect their individual rights, and religious organizations would support the ban of cloning.

In my own personal opinion, I don’t mind either way if cloning is accepted or not.  I feel it is important for scientists to continue their research and find cures especially for the human body to heal from diseases.  The only thing I disagree upon is using animals for cloning experiments.  I feel it is not fair for the animals to be tested, but then if we do not have animals, how else would the testing be complete.

Sources

Cloning of a human, Author, Charles Q. Choi

http://www.ebscohost.com.proxy.yc.edu

March 4, 2013

Human reproductive cloning:  a conflict of liberties, Author, Joyce C. Havstad

http://web.ebscohost.com.proxy.edu/ehost/delivery

March 4, 2013

Congress and cloning, Author, Wesley J. Smith

http://search.proquest.com.proxy.yc.edu

March 4, 2013

Triglycerides

 

A Triglyceride is a neutral fat molecule consisting of a molecule of glycerol and three fatty acid tails.  Triglycerides are the body’s most concentrated source of energy fuel.  Triglycerides are a type of lipid found in your blood.  If you don’t maintain healthy triglyceride levels, you may suffer health issues, especially heart disease. I chose to write about this, as my paternal side of my family has heart issues.

In doing my research I found out what the normal and abnormal levels are in maintaining a healthy life. 

·         Normal– less than 150 milligrams per deciliter

·         Borderline– 150 – 199 milligrams per deciliter

·         High-  200 to 499 milligrams per deciliter

·         Very high- 500 milligrams per deciliter

Triglycerides store unused calories that supply our body with energy. Triglycerides can’t dissolve in our blood stream; they circulate within our bodies with the help of proteins that transport lipids.

One option in controlling healthy triglycerides, is taking vitamins. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and may help against heart disease. This vitamin helps in decreasing the cholesterol in your blood vessels.    

                                                                                                                                                 Niacin helps with lowering the bad cholesterol which can interfere with your liver.  Biotin is another vitamin that can help with the prevention of diabetes.  Please remember to always check with your physician before starting any vitamin regimen.

Foods play a big role in maintaining a healthy lifestyles and triglycerides.  If we must indulge in unhealthy foods, we must consume these in moderation. 

·         Alcohol: Beer, wine, hard liquor

·         Saturated fats: including butter, animal fat, fried food, whole milk, cheese & red meats

·         Trans fats: fast food, commercial snack foods, pastries

·         Sugar: honey, jams, doughnuts, ice cream

·         Beverages: fruit juices, fruit drinks, sodas, smoothies.

·         Starch: Bagels, pasta, rice, potatoes

It is important to eat healthy, exercise at least 20 minutes per day and pay attention to what you put into your body.  Triglycerides are just one part of your body’s many functions that you have to take care of, in order to live a healthy and happy life.

“Sources”

Vitamins for Triglycerides, Author, Jenna Marie, http://www.livestrong.com/article/199251-vitamins-for-triglycerides/

February 19, 2013

Foods High in Triglycerides,  Author, AH Lichtenstein, http://www.high-triglycerides.com/herbal-remedies/high-triglycerides/foods-highin-triglycerides

February 19, 2013

Triglycerides: Why do they Matter? Author, Mayo Clinic staff, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/triglycerides

February 19, 2013

Part 2

1.     The milk, juice, & carrot lab exercise was the best assignment given.  I enjoyed using stuff my kitchen to perform the experiment.  I was able to utilize the cell information that I learned to help with the assignments.

2.     I now have a better understanding of the cellular respiration process and how the steps come together.

3.    The actions that I took to learn the above process, was to read my chapter book and answer questions.  I also watched videos online to learn about the cellular respiration process.

4.     I felt most connected when I finally figured out all the steps to the online course.  Learning Symbiosis, creating a blog, and taking a few quizzes.  I felt most distanced in the beginning, as I was learning how to access blackboard, and not feeling comfortable with the assignments and what was expected as a student.

5.      As a student, I would like to see more lectures in videos, and maybe some examples or helpful hints with the material we are learning.  I do appreciate having the discuss tool, in case we have questions or comments to share.

Carrot Lab

In this experiment I used two jars with 2 cups of  fresh water, one of the jars had a teaspoon of salt added.  I also took a carrot and cut it in half.  I used a string to tie both pieces of carrots before placing in water.

Initial length and with of the carrot pieces:

Piece 1  5 inches X 1 1/4

Piece 2  3 inches X 1/2 (salt water)

I left the carrots in the fresh water for 24 hours.  I predicted the carrot in the salt solution would swell and the carrot in the water without salt would shrink up.  I also predicted that osmosis would play a role in the salt water carrot.

The carrot that was left in the salt water was loose, and the string came off right away with no help at all.

After-experiment length and width of carrot pieces:

Piece 1  5 1/2  X  3/4

Piece 2  2 1/8 X  7/8

After 24 hours I removed each carrot from the water, the first observation I noticed was the carrot in the salt solution floated, and the one in th fresh water sunk to the bottom of the jar.  This was due to the hypertonic solution (salt water).

The other observation I noticed when the carrots were taken out of th water, were the strings.  The string in the water solution was tight and still attached to the carrot.  The carrot in the salt water string, just fell off when taken out. 

My predictions were incorrect, as the salt carrot actually shrunk in width, while the fresh water carrot remained the same.

                                                   Fresh Water Carrot       Salt Water Carrot

                                                  Fresh Water Carrot           Salt Water Carrot

Juice Lab

In this lab experement I used three jars, 6 cups of water, and 1/2 a cup of grape juice. I used tap water, ice cold water, and boiling water, I divided the juice into three parts. 

In the first jar I poured the juice into the tap water, the molecules in this jar moved slowly, and the water turned into a clear pinkish color.

The 2nd jar used contained the ice water, once I poured the juice it  went straight down to the bottom of the jar.

The 3rd jar used was the boiling water, once the juice was poured in, the juice moved slowly, but blended completely as part of the steam evaporated.

                                                     Tap water, cold water, boiling water

                                        Due to the molecules of the water temperature, diffusion takes place.

Milk Lab

I began this lab excercise with a shallow cup and a 1/ 2 cup of 2% milk.  I predicted the milk left out for three days in a warm, dark place would turn the milk into the consistency of yogurt.

I checked the milk once a day to see if any changes occured, day one the milk looked the same, on day two I noticed the milk evaporated just a bit, and the edges of the glass looked a little slimy.

Day One

Final day

On the last day of my experiment, the milk in the cup appeared to be watery, and not the consistency as I predicted.  Milk has bacteria and can turn into an acid like form. I think if I would have used whole milk and another place that was warmer, the bacteria in the milk would have turned into a yogurt form.