Essays on Gene

Description

A genetically modified organism refers to organism whose genetic makeup has been intentionally altered (Jumba, 2010). They involve both plants and animals. Genetically modified plants are referred to as transgenic plants whereas genetically modified animals are referred to as transgenic animals. According to Starr, Evers and Starr (2011), the most commonly used genetically modified organisms include yeast and bacteria. This is attributed to the metabolic ability of the cells of these organisms to make complex organic molecules.

Science behind Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetic modification is normally carried out in the laboratory. According to Keefer, two procedures are normally applied in the transformation of the Continue reading...

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a disease relating to the exocrine gland function. It involves multiple organ system as a whole, but there are some specific organ dysfunctions caused by this condition. These are the chronic respiratory infections, and pancreatic enzyme insufficiency. There are also some forms of complications that are usually associated with the untreated patients. Pulmonary issues or involvement is found in 90 percent of patients surviving the neonatal period. It has been noted in recent times that the major cause of death relating to the cystic fibrosis is the end-stage lung disease associated with it.
In the affected Continue reading...

Article Reflection

Article Reflection

Introduction

Placids can be defined as the endosymbiotic organelles, which substantially rely on the cell of their hosts to survive. Even so, placids are reported to have shown so much diversity in different situations. Therefore, ways through which differences emerge has been addressed. Some of the aspects that contribute to these differences are such as the difference in the lineages from which plastids originated. This is evident given that there are primary and secondary lineages from which the plastids can stem from. Additionally, the cause for the small size of the plastids has been established.
Plastids are the Continue reading...

Introduction

Blood consists of erythrocytes and leucocytes suspended in it. Blood is pumped from the heart to the body through the arteries and it enters back in the heart through the veins. Blood without cells is known as plasma while serum is the straw colored liquid obtained after the removal of the clot. Plasma contains different proteins, nutrients and waste materials. There are different cases of blood disorders observed in humans.

Blood cells and platelets

The most abundant cells in the blood are the anucleate, biconcave erythrocytes. They contain a red pigment known as hemoglobin (Hb) that carries dioxygen (O2). Hb contains four subunits Continue reading...

TA
ABSTRACT – Genetic engineering now has straight forward ecofriendly strategies to produce transformation in plasmids. The transformation process allows engineers to introduce DNa with specific desired capabilities into a host plasmid. In this way plants can be created that are able to resist a particular enemy or stressor without having to use toxics like herbicides and insecticides. The bacteria E. Coli was used to determine whether it can be made resistant to ampicillin or not. AmpR was integrated into the host cells and the tracer, GFP was used to identify expressed cells. The laboratory demonstrated that transformation by plasmids Continue reading...

Introduction

It is very common to hear of the term “risk factor” in epidemiology as well as in criminal behavior studies. In general, sense, a risk factor is a term used to refer to a variable that is associated with an alleviated risk of infection, disease or disorder. The number of identified diseases, disorders and infections are very large and consequently; the number of risk factors that increase the susceptibility to them is large. Each disease, infection or disorder has its own set of risk factors. However, some risks factors that have been found apply in all three aspects mentioned Continue reading...

Introduction

The term “risk factor” is very common in epidemiology. In general sense, it refers to a particular variable that is associated with an elevated risk of infection or disease. Since the number of diseases in the world is very large, the number of risk factors is also every large. The risk factors however vary from one disease or infection to another. However, there are a number of risk factors that are very common and play a significant role in many infections. One of these factors is molecular genetics. As the name suggest, molecular genetics is a genre that mainly Continue reading...

The Biological Basis

The term Genetic Modification (GM) refers to the techniques by which the genetic composition of a plant is manipulated by adding specific genes to it. Every plant contains genes, which are DNA sequences containing information that determine its specific characteristics or traits. The genes are “inheritance units” that provide instructions for the development and functionality of the plant’s next generation. Crop plants modified through this process are called GM or genetically engineered crops, or transgenic crops (“Process of Developing Genetically Modified (GM) Crops.”, n.d.). The principal steps in the process are:
- The wanted gene is isolated; e.g. Continue reading...

Genetic modification, as the name suggests, is a biotechnological process by which the genetic material in an organism such as plants is altered in a manner that does not take place in the nature or via nature-influenced recombination. Such organisms which are called as the Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs find immense practical applications in the modern times. They are used extensively for carrying out medical and biological scientific work, are used to manufacture new pharmaceutical medications and importantly, are used in agriculture to produce good quality crops. The reason why genetic modification has gained prominence in agriculture is Continue reading...

A review of the article by Jankowska, et al., 2008, titled “Reduction of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit expression by modified U1 snRNA caused apoptosis in cervical cancer cells”
Jankowska, et al in their article published in the journal “Molecular Cancer” demonstrate the expression of hCG-beta in cervical cancer and examine the functional significance of hCG- in-vitro cervical cancer cells by making use of modified U1snRNA to silence the mRNA of hCG-. Silencing of the maturation of mRNA by use of a novel silencing technique results in inhibition of growth and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells.
Lipofectamine 2000 and Continue reading...

Exam #1 (50 points)

1a ) Natural selection is the process by which adaptive traits of species increases through generations. In Cadotte’s research, he had several combinations of the 17 kinds of plots and he found out that those which had the most variation, survived the most. These were the plants with the most distance from each other. The adaptive traits of these plants were inherited by its offspring. Since the plants with traits that survived the most produced more offspring then these were the ones that flourished the most. The reason, Codette explained was that these plants had different needs therefore they Continue reading...

The cow became one of the idols in Africa. Africans generally learned to appreciate and adore the cow. The Dinka, in a show of their love for the cow, have designed four hundred different names used to refer to the cow. The Maasai of Kenya are exceptions to idolizing the cow and their love for the cow. This has led them to believing that the cow was given to them by the gods, and on that basis they are true and dear to the cow. It is considered to them a blessing to herd and keep more herds of Continue reading...

With reference to Biological studies, homology is the presence of shared pedigree between living organisms in terms of evolution. The homology might be in terms of genetical constitution, or physical constitution, to name a few. Here, I have described the evolutionary homology between various phyla supporting the description with a phylogenetic tree.

Genetic code is the combination of DNA and RNA sequences that constitute the amino acid sequences used in the synthesis of an organism's proteins. It is the biochemical basis of heredity and generally, protein coding amino acids is very similar in all eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The principle Continue reading...

Genetic engineering and sustainable production of ornamentals: current status and future directions

It is evident that in the recent times technological advancement has led to the growth of various sectors of the economy including the area of scientific research and development. Owing to the rapidly growing population, researchers and scholars have sat down to come up with remedies so as to curb the looming problem food insecurity across the globe and through the last decades, health-friendly farm produces have been engineered after a series of laboratory experiments and this effort has yielded fruits through the production of certified, food production (Lütken, et al. 1141). This has been set forth to Continue reading...

Psoriasis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease are two of the most prevalent types of immune disorders. Being diseases of the immune system, both diseases have similarities and, of course, striking differences. Reviewing both of their pathophysiology, incidences of occurrence and maladaptive responses may help us understand how these two immune disorders manifest their symptoms and affect the human body.
Psoriasis is considered as the most prevalent autoimmune disorder, particularly the psoriasis vulgaris type (Krueger and Bowcock, 2005). Additionally, the prevalence of psoriasis considerably varies worldwide (Langley, Krueger, and Griffiths, 2005). In USA, an estimated 2% of the population is said Continue reading...

Abstract

Human XPA is a protein engaged in DNA damage recognition and repair. A mutation in the gene encoding the protein causes an autosomal recessive disorder, xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), which renders an individual sensitive to sunlight and causes skin cancer. XPA is a 273 amino acid protein, which is predominantly localized in the nucleus. It is expressed at both high and moderate levels in several tissues. The protein serves as a damage sensor in a nucleotide excision repair mechanism, through which the damage to a DNA strand is verified and repaired by formation of a newly synthesized strand. Besides this Continue reading...

Introduction

Genetics is the study of genes and variation in living organisms. Genetics characteristic generally considered the field of biology but it is clear that it does happens frequently with many of the life sciences, strongly discussed, and linked in the study of information systems. The genes structure and function variation and distributions extended in the study of the cell, the organism and within the context of a population. Nature versus nurture is the process of genetics work with the combination process with an organism’s environment, and experiences to influence development and behavior.
The extra-cellular environment includes on switching Continue reading...

Lab report

Introduction.
The Mendelian genetic effort, revolve around the inheritance of biological characteristics that trail the proposed Mendelian laws brought forward by Gregor Mendel (He & University of Chicago, 46). These regulations advocate for independent assortment, trait dominance in alleles, and the segregative capability of alleles. Thus the hypothetical endeavor of this report is to ascertain the identity of the first filial generation -F1, based on the phenotypic quotients of the second filial-F2 cohorts
Fruit fly drosophila is considered ideal in genetic experiments, because they share the majority of their genes that cause diseases with humans up to 75 percent. Additionally Continue reading...

Bacillus thuringiensis is a gram-positive, spore-forming soil bacterium. It can be used as a biological pesticide, since it produces specific parasporal crystalline inclusions that have proven to be toxic for some widespread insect pests. That is why currently the main aim of the researches concerning these bacteria is creation and examination of new more effective strains to be used for control of the insect pest populations and development of insect resistant plants. The restriction enzymes are widely used for genome analysis of the different strains.
Valicente and da Silva have used restriction enzymes in their study to investigate the Continue reading...

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease characterized by the buildup of sticky and thick mucus inside the body that can potentially damage the organs (US NLM, 2012). The two most common signs of Cystic Fibrosis are damaged respiratory system and chronic digestive problems. The severity varies among the affected individuals. The disease is most common among Caucasian people (1 in every 2,500 newborns) and most rare among the Asians (1 in every 31,000 newborns) (US NLM, 2012).
Cystic Fibrosis produces thick mucus that can block the airways in the lungs, leading to bacterial infection and severe breathing Continue reading...

Pedigree Case Analysis

A verified pedigree can help in the determination of the most likely pattern of inheritance of a single-gene disorder in a family. Pedigree analysis also has relevance to the determination of approaches to testing, assessment of recurrence risks, and in some instances, prognosis (Leonard, 2007). The purpose of this paper is multi-pronged. It will analyze the pedigree of a family with the aims of identifying the pattern of inheritance of a trait, additional information required, other relatives at risk, and alternative explanations for the condition.

Additional Information Required

The pedigree illustration provided does not depict the presence of the condition in the Continue reading...

Genetic technology

Question 1
Genetic engineering is the uninterrupted manipulation of the genome of an organism using biotechnology skills (Dahiya et al., 2006). Genetic technology or rather genetic engineering involves isolating, copying and transferring genetic material from one organism to another; the practice involves the use of biological systems (CBD, 1992). The techniques used in genetic technology that include isolation of the gene of interest, cloning the identified gene in a suitable host and finally using gene promoters to improve protein expression (Houdebine, 2009). The genetic Technology article elaborates the importance of Genetic Technology in biology as will be discussed in Continue reading...

Investigating the Functions of Proteins

The steps made so far in the process of gene mapping has opened up ways in which more studies are done on the human DNA. ENCODE and Genome researchers have so far sequenced more than 90 genomes. With the understanding of genes and their loci, it has been easier to locate and carry out studies on a single gene. Most genes code for various proteins in the body of an organism; it has become paramount that the roles of these genes be identified and prescribed out. The knowledge of the functions of each gene, or the protein it codes Continue reading...

Introduction

Proteomics is the study of proteins in terms of their structures and functions. The term proteome refers to the entire set of proteins modified of produced by the organism. However, the interactions and modifications tend to vary with time and their distinct requirements and environmental stresses that the organism undergoes. This is an interdisciplinary domain based on research studies originally on yeast, then mice. Experiments have been forwarded describing the ways of investigating genetic interactions and various aspects of different functional proteins in genes. This essay proposes experiments that would be used to investigate a particular gene (named Without Continue reading...

DNA DAMAGE

1. Introduction
The p53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene that is activated whenever a cell is subjected to cell damage. The p53 gene determines whether a cell should survive a damage or should undergo apoptosis. These decisions are regulated by posttranslational modifications. Phosphorylation of the serine 46 residue is one such modification that is relevant to this study. However, it is unclear why a Ser46 phosphorylated p53 favors apoptosis over survival (Feng et al. 2006, p. 2812; Taira et al. 2014, p. 717).
Studies have shown that the elusive molecular mechanism of Ser46 phosphorylation of p53 induce apoptosis Continue reading...

Introduction: Genetic mutations are associated with changes in the genomic sequence that are the main cause of diversity among organisms. The changes in genetic sequence can occur at any instance and are known to have different consequences. Mutations are often associated with a change that affects the nucleic acids in most organisms. Nucleic acids are considered as the building blocks of DNA. On the other hand, DNA are associated with the storage of information that is transferred to the offspring during reproduction. Mutations are associated with diversity and considered as an essential part in evolution. Genetic mutation is considered Continue reading...

This paper was prepared for course ___________________ for Professor _________________.

THE GAY GENE AND HOMOSEXUALITY Author 2
Even with the plethora of technological advances available to the world, the issue of what exactly determines if an individual becomes a homosexual still remains unresolved. Some people feel homosexuality is a decision based on a person’s environment or is a personal choice, while others contend there has to be some factor in a person’s DNA that makes them harken to homosexuality. No matter what stance a person or organization chooses to select, what is readily apparent is scientific studies of various circumstances, factors and situations have yielded a multitude Continue reading...

Properties of Life

When it comes to dealing with cells as a structural and functional unit of all kinds of life on earth, it is important to understand the biological concept of what constitutes life. Most biologists, including cell biologists will agree that life is defined according to seven principles. First, that living things are composed of cells. A cell is a unit that makes up all kinds of life, whether it is a bacterial life or plant life or human life. The second principle is that there are different levels of organization in life – cells make up tissues, tissues make up Continue reading...

Introduction

The technique of cloning has added new dimensions to modern science empowering biologists to devise solutions for problems which were difficult to be resolved earlier. Cloning refers to the process of creating an exact replica of a gene, cell, tissue or an organism . The copy, thus created by the process consisting of the replica of genetic material of the original is referred as a “clone”.

Types of Cloning

Cloning can be natural as well as artificial. Natural cloning process can be seen in single celled organisms such as bacteria which reproduce by asexual means and produce an exact replica of the parent Continue reading...

The Definition of Genetically Modified Food (GMF)

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that through the introduction of foreign genes genetic code given new properties.
GMOs are divided into the following types:
- Genetically modified organisms;
- Genetically modified animals;
- Genetically modified plants.
Each animal and plant has thousands of different characters. For each feature meets certain gene, which is a small segment of the molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). If you remove the gene responsible for the appearance of any sign, the sign itself and disappear, and if we introduce a new gene, the animal or plant there a new quality.
Genetically modified organisms Continue reading...

The Economist. Human Evolution: Darwin’s Children. Print edition Science and technology. 2007. Edited print
The Economist discusses Human Evolution and how it has speeded up over the past 80,000 years. It indicates how this raises awkward question about the concept of “race. Argued from the article, more bad science research has been done on the concept of human race compared to any other field in biology. This bad concept, according to The Economist, is generated from preconceived ideas that there are individuals who are better than others. The concepts are not interested in research and investigation of Continue reading...

A Separate Peace is Gene’s story to tell, of course. The entire plot is a flashback, as he waxes eloquent about his time at the Devon School. When the novel first opens, he appears as an alumnus coming back to the site of his adolescence. This gives the reader the sense that the narrator has some greater wisdom along with a healthy perspective about his time at the school. However, from the beginning, it is clear that Gene seems just as insecure as an adult as he was as an adolescent. Indeed, his main concern is that nothing Continue reading...

Research shows that around 30, 000 Americans have Cystic Fibrosis with over 1000 new cases diagnosed every year. Analysts suggest that it occurs evenly to both the females and males and affects generally every race. This condition is more common among the white babies. One in every 3,200 live white births in comparison to one in every 3,900 live births amongst all Americans appear to be suffering from the condition. At the age of three, most patients are diagnosed and only ten percent of the most recent cases are usually by age eighteen and above (Children’s Continue reading...

Evolution involves the change of inherited characteristics of biological populations in successive generations. The process give rise to different levels of organization and diversity that includes changes in DNA, species, molecular formations, and the basic proteins forming the organism. Human evolution has been a major subject both in history and biology. Many theories have been advance explaining the origin of man on earth. The most prominent of the theories is the Darwin’s Theory on human evolution.
Darwin theory of evolution is based on natural selection. The theory explains how the environmental factors and other factors interact to favor Continue reading...

Introduction

Genetically modified organisms also termed as GMOs have their genes altered by genetic engineering techniques. Over the past 10 years, many organisms have been genetically modified/altered for numerous purposes. Some of the micro-organisms that have been altered are yeast, bacteria, plants, fish, insects and mammals. GMOs form the base of genetically modified food and crops. GMOs have been utilized in scientific research for the betterment of human life. GMOs are known for their potential benefit to mankind in the fields of biotechnology, agriculture, healthcare and scientific research. (Phillips T. 2008)
GMOs are organisms whose genes are modified or altered. Continue reading...

The novel, ‘A separate peace’ is authored by John Knowles. This novel is based on a story of the author that was later developed as a novel in the year 1959. The novel reminds readers about school days and teen life. This paper intends to discuss the novel with a special focus on chapters 4, 5, and 6 of the novel.
The story is narrated by Gene Forrester. In chapter 4, Gene awakes at a beach with sunrise and becomes conscious that he has to face the math test within a short time. He rushes to the venue and Continue reading...

Introduction

Genes are the smallest functional units present in the human body, which controls the development and formation of the organism. These genes are present on the chromosomes as pair and are expressed when the body needs a certain protein or compound. However, at times, one or both the genes may be faulty due to mutations. This impaired gene causes the formation of a Genetic disorder. These genetic diseases were studied with the tools of biotechnology and thus developed the Gene Therapy technique (Sheridan 121).
Gene therapy is a tool that uses biotechnological techniques to prevent diseases caused by defective Continue reading...

Superbugs: The Bright Side

The term ‘superbug’ is grossly scary to the general public and is used for a resistant strain/species of a micro-organism that does not die easily. Such species are known to have developed a gene/segment of a gene that imparts the resistance to antibiotics and related drugs. These genes/gene segments are closed loops of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the genetic material present in humans as well as bacteria. In many bacteria, this DNA is not present inside the nucleus (as is the case with humans). However, it is present in the cytoplasm (extra-chromosomal DNA) and is called as plasmid. Scientists have Continue reading...

VIDEO SUMMARY 1-5

VIDEO 1
This presentation is all about gene expression in the plant especially in flowers. The main interest relates to the consequences of gene duplication on affected flowers. Gene duplication occurs in several different ways. During this occurrence of the duplication, there are some features that are related to the duplication. Some of the features are the gene loss (mutation), new function (New functionalization), and subfunctionalization. The project also talked about different part of flowers and what genes are responsible for such expression. The classes of genes that are listed are the A-class genes, B-class genes, C-class genes, D-class Continue reading...

Cholera Toxin Enhances Vaccine-Induced Protection against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Challenge in Mice

This experiment is an animal experiment made in accordance with the basic guideline the UK Animal Act 1986. Methods use was by collecting mice of 6-8wks. BCG Pasteur vaccine administered. Others vaccines are MVA85A and cholera toxin. Intradermal agents administered are the anti-IL-1A blocking antibody and the isotype IgG2a. Animals were then challenge with Biaera AeroMP aerosol nebulizer at a targeted pressure and dose. Organ harvest and stimulation for immunogenicity was then done. The lungs and spleen are the organs harvested aseptically. The organs were then processed with different steps such as mincing and digestion with DNase/collagenases. The cells Continue reading...