Genome Blog #10 Instinct

Ridley talks about how the determinist thinks about human behavior. Ridley suggest that genetic determination of human instinct is much more probable.The gene in Chromosome 7 has been linked to a disorder called Specific Language Impairment. Recent study of English family with a history of the inherited disorder, Canadian Myrna Gopnik suggest that Specific Language Impairment interfere with the physical act of speaking, but instead interfere with the ability to learn the rules of grammar. Patients with Specific Language Impairment can communicate with others but must have a much larger vocabulary because of the lack of internalized grammar.

Genome Blog #9 Stress

Ridley says that this gene is located in the chromosome number 7. The brain, the body, and the gene are locked in constant. The gene CYP17 is located in chromosome number 10 is responsible for the synthesis of an enzyme that enables the body to convert cholesterol to cortisol,to  testosterone, and to oestradiol. Cortisol, is released when the brain signals stress and sets off a long chain triggers, switching genes on and off thus causing other genes to be switched on or off constantly. Ridley compares the world to the human body, which is full of intricate interconnected systems with no control what so ever. Ridley concludes that there are no logical explanation for the correlation between steroids and immune system suppressions.

Genome Blog #8 Personality

Ridley explains that in chromosome number 11, the gene D4DR is a blueprint for a dopamine receptor, and the gene is switched on in only in certain parts of the brain. Dopamine is a emotional chemical, which lacking of this chemical will make an individual lethargic or immobile. Dean Hamer's result  of studying D4DR relates with "novelty-seeking" behavior.  36 percent is heritable, and the rest is environmental. Meaning that there are over 500 heritable genes that control behavior. Therapists found out that depathologizing people's personalities and telling them that their personality is innate instead of some who learned flaw helped them to improve their self-esteem. Personality and behavior can also be influenced by diet, such as cholesterol intake. Antisocial and depressed people resulted in lower cholesterol levels.

Genome Blog #7 CURES

Ridley talks about the genetic manipulation, he uses the example of an event that occurred in 1972. Paul Berg in 1972 created the first artificial "recombinant" DNA by mixing and arranging restriction enzymes and ligase. Ever since that experiment, several other labs have used recombinant DNA where a retrovirus would be lose its infectious genes then get replaced with a desired gene and finally get injected into the body directly trying to cure various diseases through gene therapy such as hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, and cancer. Ridley ends the chpter with the possibilities of human cloning with genetic improvement through the use of embryonic stem cells and recombinant DNA is possible.

Free Will

In the final chapter of Genome, Ridley explains the conflict between free will and genetic determinism.  Free will is the mind of an individual that controls all of their action through the conscious, experience, and knowledge from their mind. However in genetic determinism, all actions made by organisms are planned and predetermined by the genes that are coded in their chromosome. Ridley uses the example if using child abusers. Ridley notes that children often caused troubles and the penalty is that the parents punish them, thus making them learn to never do that ever again. Free will may not be able to control everything but it is a major part in the events that occur in the lives of each and every individual.

Post Biology AP Exam Comments

I was totally not ready for the AP exam on May the 14th. I had too much school work and had to fill out worksheets for the notebook. My view of studying was completing my online work and working on my lab journal. I spent more time on working on my class works and/or homework for biology then studying from my notes and book. I decided to sign up for AP Biology in the beginning of the year because I wanted to be a marine biologist, but I had a problem debating over my career as a marine biologist and a U.S. History teacher. I took AP U.S. History on my junior year and I had enjoyed the subject more then I had expected. I took AP bio and I learned that I am not very good dealing with molecules, ions, chains of sugar, and phases. I had trouble remembering the phases of the Calvin Cycle, reading molecule chains, and Photosynthesis. I feel like that the online labs are not as good for learning both visually and by reading the steps. I prefer doings labs that are in front of me because it is much easier to handle and if I get stuck I could get help right away. What I do seem to have learned a lot from are the study packets that has bold words and diagrams that have labels. I really liked you going over the power points and doing notes along the way. Subjects I did enjoy learning about is evolution and the diversity of plants. Those chapters are the best for me to understand because there were many pictures and diagrams.

Genome 6th Entry

"Disease"
The chapter begins with Ridley talking about using your DNA  fingerprinting and blood sample to solve crimes. Then he started talking about blood transfusion and how transferring the wrong type of blood could be fatal. Blood types we first discovered in the 1900s, the first three types are A,O, and B. It was in the 1920s that blood type groups were organized and in the 1990s that genes had to do with the blood. Ridley gave examples about sickle cell disease and malaria diseases. He told the reader that the disease have been inherited to the newer generations and the code for that disease can either be dormant or active.