Lindsey+Racz+Survival+of+Sickest

=**Survival of the Sickest Dr. Sharon Moalem**=


 * "Normally, when your body detects that it has sufficient iron in the blood, it reduces the amount of iron absorbed by your intestines from the food you eat. So even if you stuffed yourself with iron supplements you wouldn't load up with excess iron. Once your body is satisfied with the amount of iron it has, the excess will pass through you instead of being absorbed. But in a person who has hemochromatosis, the body always thinks that it doesn't have enough iron and continues to absorb iron unabated. This iron loading has deadly consequences over time," (Moalem, 2).**

The excerpt from the book //Survival of the Sickest// begins to explain the feedback mechanisms the body has to mediate the amount of iron it has. Feedback mechanisms are crucial to living organisms, because they help maintain homeostasis. In this case, the feedback mechanisms indirectly help the overall survival of humans as well; iron is vital to the human body. Not enough iron can cause sickness, while too much iron can also cause sickness or high susceptibility to disease. Therefore, the body’s feedback mechanisms relating to iron are extremely important. Iron follows the path of the digestive system and enters the stomach from the esophagus. Here, the iron is oxidized to the Fe3+ state (Okam, M.D.). This is important because the physical state that iron is in when it enters the duodenum will affect how much iron will be absorbed. High pH is optimal for the oxidation of Iron. The pH of the digestive system is regulated by the secretion of gastric acids. When gastric acid is abundant, it enhances the solubility and uptake of iron. However when gastric acid production is inhibited (which is the job of antacids) iron absorption is reduced. Following oxidation, the iron moves to the duodenum and upper jejunum. There the iron is coupled to transferrin. The transferrin delivers the iron to all the cells of the body (Okam, M.D.). A feedback mechanism exists that enhances iron absorption in people who are iron deficient. people with iron overload dampen iron absorption. Below is the description of an experiment conducted by the Department of Neurosurgery at Pennsylvania State University that highlights how different types of ferritin, not transferrin, regulate iron absorbency in the body.

= **__“Ferritin: a novel mechanism for delivery of iron to the brain and other organs.__ [|Fisher J]__,__ [|Devraj K]__,__ [|Ingram J]__,__ [|Slagle-Webb B]__,__ [|Madhankumar AB]__,__ [|Liu X]__,__ [|Klinger M]__,__ [|Simpson IA], [|Connor JR].Dept of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State University, Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033-0850, USA. Abstract ** = **Traditionally, transferrin has been considered the primary mechanism for cellular iron delivery, despite suggestive evidence for additional iron delivery mechanisms. In this study we examined ferritin, considered an iron storage protein, as a possible delivery protein. Ferritin consists of H- and L-subunits, and we demonstrated iron uptake by ferritin into multiple organs and that the uptake of iron is greater when the iron is delivered via H-ferritin compared with L-ferritin. The delivery of iron via H-ferritin but not L-ferritin was significantly decreased in mice with compromised iron storage compared with control, indicating that a feedback mechanism exists for H-ferritin iron delivery. To further evaluate the mechanism of ferritin iron delivery into the brain, we used a cell culture model of the blood-brain barrier to demonstrate that ferritin is transported across endothelial cells. There are receptors that prefer H-ferritin on the endothelial cells in culture and on rat brain microvasculature. These studies identify H-ferritin as an iron transport protein and suggest the presence of an H-ferritin receptor for mediating iron delivery. The relative amount of iron that could be delivered via H-ferritin could make this protein a predominant player in cellular iron delivery**,” (Ferritin: a novel mechanism for delivery of iron to the brain and other organs).

The in depth, big-word summary of the science experiment relates to what the author of //Survival of the Sickest// refers to when describing background knowledge about Hemochromatosis. I feel the major difference is that in //Survival of the Sickest//, the author only touches the tip of the iceberg when she explains iron’s relationship with the body. However, this is understandable because the book is written in layman’s terms, while the experiment summary is only comprehensible to AP biology students, or people with a background in biology and human anatomy.

Table 1 shows the other contributing factors to the body’s amount of iron. Also, the diagram below visually explains the path iron takes throughout the body and where the iron is used. Note that the diagram mentions the fact that the body has no physiological excretion mechanism of iron.
 * ** Table 1. Factors That Influence Iron Absorption ** ||
 * Physical State (bioavailability) || heme > Fe2+ > Fe3+ ||
 * Inhibitors || phytates, tannins, soil clay, laundry starch, iron overload, antacids ||
 * Competitors || lead, cobalt, strontium, manganese, zinc ||
 * Facilitators || ascorbate, citrate, amino acids, iron deficiency ||

[]



[]. "Ferritin: a novel mechanism for delivery of iron to the brain and other organs.." //National Center for Biotechnology Information//. U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institute of Health, 25 Apr 2007. Web. 27 May 2010. . Okam, M.D., Maureen. "Iron Absorption." //Information Center for Sickle Cell and Talassemic Disorders//. Joint Center for Sickle Cell and Thalassemic Disorders, 11, Jan 2001. Web. 27 May 2010. <[]>.
 * Works Cited**

"There's water in the frog's blood, too, but the rich concentration of sugar not only lowers the freezing point, it also minimizes damage by forcing the ice crystals that eventually form into smaller, less jagged shapes that won't puncture or slash the walls of cells or capillaries. Even all of this doesn't prevent every bit of damage, but the frog has that covered, too. During the winter months of its frozen sleep, the frog produces a large volume of a clotting factor called fibrinigen that helps to repair whatever damage might have occurred during freezing," (Moalem, 44).**
 * POST TWO

This excerpt from //Survival of the Sickest// connects to the theme of science and technology. Ken Storey's revolutionary research of the Rana Sylvatica has yielding fascinating results. Through decades of studies, it has been discovered that this wood frog has evolutionary induced mechanisms to help it survive freezing during winter hibernation. The wood frog uses massive hepatic glycogen stores as a cryoprotectant for its extracellula r fluid. As soon as receptors on the frogs outtermost skin membrane feel ice forming, hepatic glycogen phosphorylase mobilizes the release of glucose into the frogs blood to lower the freezing temperature and decrease the amount of sharp ice crystals that could puncture internal organs. (Conlon, 153). In addition to extra glycogen, the frog as additional insulin, which is what produces the extra sugar. Furthermore, as the passage mentions, the wood frog has a large volume of the clotting factor fibrinogen, which is made by the liver. Considering these facts along with the fact that the organ systems of frogs are quite similar to humans, this research could be crucial in developing cryogenic procedures that would increase organ transplants in humans. As of right now, doctors and scientist know that organs such as livers or kidneys can be kept viable on ice, but not for long. if this //science could help develop technology// to keep human organs viable but in a "hibernation type state" transplants would increase and so would the survival of many sick people. In a statement made by James Burdick, Director of the Division of Transplantation at the Healthcare Systems Bureau, "While nearly 29,000 individuals received life-saving transplants in 2006, the need to increase the number of successful transplants remains critical. There are close to 97,000 patients on the national waiting list to receive an organ, and 19 will die every day because a life-saving organ does not become available to them," (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). While the statistic is a few years old, it is still staggering. Many lives could be saved if scientist figure out the components of the the wood frog that make it possible to withstand such severe temperatures. The research with wood frogs to find ways to use cryogenics and to improve transplant rates are made possible because of evolution. Because frogs and humans have very similar organ systems, it is safe to say that we had a common ancestor with them. Knowledge and understanding of how evolution works makes me realize how crucial the research with the species of frog is. Anyone without knowledge of connectivity between living organisms and evolution would think that studying frogs that freeze themselves is trivial, and a waste of time and energy. However, with the background of AP Biology, I know that this research, along with other SAFE forms of animal research, can help further technological advances in medicine and really help human survival. Human survival is also beneficial, because the longer the human race stays in existence, the better we might understand the evolution of man and how we are developing compared to fellow animals in our kingdom.

Below, is a diagram of the human anatomy and a diagram of frog anatomy. The pictures help reiterate the fact that frogs and humans are internally "set up" quite similarly.




 * Works Cited **

 Conlon, JM. "Freeze tolerance in the wood frog Rana sylvatica is associated with unusual structural features in insulin but not in glucagon." //Endocrinology Journals//. Journal of Molecular Endocrinology, 1998. Web. 1 Jun 2010. .

 Burdick, James. "Testimony." //U.S. Department of Health and Human Services//. National Institute of Health, 24 May 2010. Web. 1 Jun 2010. .

** POST THREE "Mice and other rodents that would otherwise be drawn to the fruits of chili plants avoid them because they can't take the heat. That's good for the chili, because the digestive systems of mammals destroy chili seeds when they eat chili peppers-and they aren't affected by Capsaicin. So mammals leave the peppers for the birds, and the birds take the seeds to the air, spreading them along the way," (Moalem, 82).

This excerpt from //Survival of The Sickest// encompasses many themes of science including evolution, interdependence in nature, and reproduction. The chili pepper's Capsaicin is one example of many in nature where plants developed mechanisms for optimal survival. The Capsaicin, with its toxic unbearable heat, keeps the mammals away. Why? Because instead of assisting the chili pepper plant with reproduction, animals hinder the process, by digesting the most important part of the chili pepper: the seeds. However, birds on the other hand, cannot digest the seeds which means that they get rid of them via excretion. While it sounds gross, its actually great for the chili pepper plant, because its seeds have been carried to a new location where more chili peppers can grow and thrive. The method of animal dispersal of seeds is one of the great ingenuities of evolution. Over time it became evident that having //all// animals eat the chili pepper fruit, which is there to protect the seeds and attract hungry animals, was not the best for the plants overall survival. As a result, the chili pepper plant adapted to its environment and ensured its survival as a species by developing the Capsaicin. This naturally made poison helped not only the chili pepper plant, but also birds: birds were then ensured a type of food that other animals they were competing with for survival could not eat...an advantage over the competition. So the simple chemical in chili peppers helped birds as well as its own kind. This, as well as the animal dispersal technique of plants shows the interdependence in nature. Animals rely on plants for food as well as their quintessential process of photosynthesis. At the same time, plants rely on animals to disperse their seeds. The following excerpt from a Botany website gives more examples of plants that use the animal dispersal method. It also gives examples of dispersal methods in a variety of different continents. This tid bit hints at the theory of evolution and that even though all these plants are in different corners of the earth, with different surroundings, some basic survival skills have indeed been maintained overtime. **

"In the deserts of North Africa, elephants eat the fruits that have fallen from the trees and deposit the seeds in their droppings several miles away. In South American jungles, monkeys eat figs and other fruit, carrying some away in their stomachs and dropping others onto the ground. In Britain, foxes eat raspberries, squirrels eat nuts, blackbirds eat our strawberries, mice eat grass seeds, and in South Africa, even ants carry seeds into their nests, eat the tasty outer covering and leave the seeds to grow safely underground. As well as eating them, some animals collect the fruits or seeds and bury them to eat later, but forget about them and the seeds germinate in their new location. Sometimes, as in the case of Mistletoe, the seeds are covered in a sticky slime which the birds rub off on a new tree. Even humans carry seeds far away for plants - by taking an apple on a picnic, for example, and throwing the core, with its seeds, into the bushes," (Dispersal of Seeds By Animals).

The many scientific concepts displayed in this topic put life in prospective for me. It reminds me that even though we are homo sapiens, the most complex and seemingly dominant species of the Earth, we are still playing our part in the world of living organisms. We think we can eat or do whatever we want...however the consequences of such actions include major (and sometimes fatal) side effects.This shows that we are not invincible. Some animals with their venom and plants with their toxins, maintain nature's "checks and balances" system of interdependence. Furthermore, this particular example of plants being the cause of pain or even stomach cancer, makes all those kids and grown ups that hate fruits and vegetables look pretty smart. We say that because they don't eat a balanced diet they are unhealthy....yet it is the survival of the sickest! Every generation has its meat lovers and leafy and seed-y haters, which must mean they do have an advantage over the balanced diet eaters. On that note, it also proves that vegetarians are walking on the wild side by only eating fruits and vegetables.... the exact culprits that can kill us. I love meat! And this information, while highly applicable in the world of academia, is also quite helpful in the real world when arguing with picky, know-it-all vegetarians (such as two of my closest friends) :)

"Dispersal of Seeds By Animals." //The Seed Site//. N.p., Apr 2010. Web. 7 Jun 2010. .

** POST FOUR **


 * "This research is changing the whole field of genetics-it's even launched a subdiscipline called epigenetics. Epigenetics is concerned with the study of how children can inherit and express seemingly new traits from their parents without changes in the underlying DNA. In other words, the instructions are the same, but something else overrides them. Being a gene isn't all that it was cracked up to be anymore," (Moalem, 157).**

This excerpt brings up relatively new addition to the scientific family: epigenetics. This science research category is the study of environmental effects that altar phenotypic expression of genes. It focuses on the natural process of  Methylation. Methylation is the only flexible genomic parameter that can change genome function under outside (environmental) influence. Methylation occurs on cytosine bases at CpG sequences and helps control the successful expression of genes. Research began with mice and plants to see the effects of environment, especially diet, on the organisms. Now, sets of identical twins are showing minute differences because of the epigenome. According to the the website of The Epigenome Network of Excellence, here's why: === "Such differences are discernable at the molecular level in the way that their chromosomes are arranged within the[|nucleus] of each cell. Twisted around tiny [|protein] balls, the same DNA can have different consequences for a cell. Both balls and string assume complex 3D structures depending on their biochemical flavour. A variety of small molecules can affect the nuclear infrastructure by adhering to both DNA and associated [|histone] proteins. Such flavours are influenced by the environment, most notably our diet," (McVittie). === Epigenetics is fascinating to me, because it is directly linked to the scientific studies of cancer and reproduction. First, the study of reproduction. A mothers unborn child may  have ch aracteristics different from his or her parents simply b <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">ecause of th <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">e way the mother ate while she was carrying her children. This puts further emphasis on the fact that mothers should eat healthy, and not drink or smoke while carrying a child. Second, Epigenetics is opening the doors to getting closer and closer to curing or preventing cancer.

=== "Luckily [|epigenetics] has recently come up trumps in respect to cancer diagnostics. The enzymes that modify histones behave differently as prostate tumours progress. Scientists can get a good impression by looking at the way [|histone]tails have been tweaked in tumours from different patients. Apparently patterns of global histone modification can serve as an indicator of the future course of disease. Such epigenetic profiling of cancers, coupled with our knowledge of risky mutations, should pave the way for personalising cancer treatments across the board," (McVIttie). ===

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">How is all this revolutionary research coming to light? It is part in thanks to the Human Epigenome Project. 'The //What!?'// is probably what any person would say if they did not have advanced education in the field of biology. The average person is aware of the Human Genome Project, but not many know about the Human **Epi**genome project. Until this year, I certainly had never heard of it. I think school science classes should find creative ways to but this topic in the curriculum. Not only for better academic education, but also for health education. If kids continue to learn about the boat loads of research that scream, "LIVE HEALTHY", then maybe we can hope to bring down the obesity rate of the the next generation. However, while Epigenetics uncovers many mysteries, it also my bring to light many more unanswered questions. For instance, the Epigenome may throw a wrench into the seeming smooth understanding of Evolution. While it is pretty evident from reading //Survival of the Sickest// as a whole that Evolution does exist, we as a society will now need to differentiate between phenotypes as a result of Evolution and Epigenetics. What we think might be a result of Evolution, DNA altering to better suit the organisms environment, may be in fact more linked to methylation, due to poor living. We need to make sure we can see the difference between the two. Epigenetics is not the change in a person so that they survive better on earth. Instead, it is the very very long term "side effects" of negative environmental influences. In thousands and thousands of years might we be able to evolve, so that our ways of eating and living do NOT effect our offspring? It may be, but we cannot tell this early in the game.

As you can see, the excerpt incorporates links to many of the major themes in science: Continuity and Change- We continue to be effected my what we eat and what we do. Now we see that our bodies are changing because of it. Interdependence in Nature- We depend on our environment just as it depends on us. However, we need to "fine tune" our dependence on nature so that it is helping, not hurting us. ** and **Science, Technology and Society.** The Human Epigenome Project, and The Epigenome Network of Excellence (Europe's leader in Epigenetics) are furthering society's understand of science and how to prevent such deadly diseases as cancer, and indirectly deadly disorders such as diabetes.
 * Evolution- The confusing scientific love-hate relationship between Evolution and Epigenetics. Will Epigenetics open more doors or complicate the theory of evolution?

So basically, this excerpt is a AP Biology wikispace gold mine!

Works Cited <span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: normal;"> McVittie, Brona. "Cancer: Diagnostics." //Epigenetics?//. The Epigenetic Network of Excellence, 2010. Web. 10 Jun 2010. <http://epigenome.eu/en/1,7,0>.

<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: normal;">McVittie, Brona. "Twin Profiles." //Epigenetics?//. The Epigenetic Network of Excellence, 2010. Web. 10 Jun 2010. <http://epigenome.eu/en/1,7,0>.

** POST FIVE **


 * "Biogenic obsolescence-that is to say, aging-might accomplish two similar ends. First, by clearing out older models, aging makes room for new models, which is exactly what creates the room for change-for evolution. Second, aging can protect the group by eliminating individuals that have become laden with parasites, preventing them from infecting the next generation. Sex and reproduction, in turn, are the way a species gets upgraded," (Moalem, 191).**

This excerpt addresses the most important issue to beauty conscious women around the world:aging. It connects to the theme of science, technology, and society. However, this time the connection between science, technology and society is NOT A GOOD ONE. It is a fact of life: people do not like aging. It involves physical changes, internal and external, that typically bother people. ...."**oh boy** (sigh) **I'm gettin OLD!"

WELL GOOD! you should be! its part of nature. aging has a positive side. Maybe not for the individual, but it does have a positive side for the species as a whole. Aging, like the excerpt says, is part of the life cycle that helps in the almighty "godly" (interesting word choice, huh?) process of evolution. Furthermore, the aging process helps get rid of infection, so that it does not stay around and do further damage. Thanks to science, we know // how // aging occurs. It happens when cells divi de. Each time our DNA goes through the process of transcription, it loses some of those "end molecules" called Telomeres. After a point, aging and eventually the death of the cell occurs once the telomere becomes too short to sustain life. Scientists are currently studying an enzyme called Telomerase, which is believed to stop or slow down this process. This knowledge and research could be used to prevent or treat cancer, as well as slow down the aging process, (Anthony). While preventing and treating cancer is good, is slowing down the aging process good? It seems that society is taking the whole "anti-aging process" research too far.

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^ ** This is what you call BS. Or you could call it anti-evolution cream. Take your pick. This is the problem with society today. Sometimes, we used science and technology in ways we shouldn't. Companies...and lots of them, are capitalizing on peoples fear of aging. These days companies either use "going green" or "look younger longer" campaigns. From the standpoint of a Marketing Communications major, its quite brilliant. Throw some big scientific words on a pretty package and call it a day. On the other hand, from the prospective of the brave undertaker of AP Biology, its ridiculous. Scientists in some fields are losing focus on what they should be researching. Getting rid of aging is not good! Its part of evolution! Which leads me to the moral of my post: **

** WWDD ** ** : What Would Darwin Do? <--- [marketing skills right there]

Well, he certainly would not roll with the trend of microdermabrasions, chemical peels, retinoids and antioxidants. Aging is a natural process, one that, whether we like it or not, needs to occur for the overall longevity of our beloved species. Or else, if we do go too far with technology and start living to be too old for our own good, other species of animals could eventually be more successful than us. Monkeys might continue evolution while we press pause. Then what??? It sounds funny but its quite serious too.

Aging, death, taxes, and exams are the most feared subjects of them all. But they are all part of life. And life is beautiful. Granted, while all species have their ugly ways of survival against one another, its like one giant dysfunctional family. We, the homo sapiens, get greedy with our technology, and we intermingle it with science and making money. However, no matter how much lipid filled-hydrophobic-bacon we bring home, what we cannot afford is to endanger our survival by taking science and technology too far. It may seem trivial now, and we may anticipate the arrival of more anti-aging this-and-that, but at least let us keep in the back of our minds that we want generations and generations and generations of us to come(just think: generations and generations of Garretts). For this to occur though, we need to use science to ENHANCE life for ALL (especially us) living organisms on this earth.

Works Cited:

<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: normal;">Anthony, Robert. "The Aging Process." //Age-Well//. N.p., 2009. Web. 10 Jun 2010. <http://www.age- well.org/aging-process.html>.