Mass Extinction?

After reading the arguments for and against the idea that we are living in a time of yet another mass extinction, I'd have to say I don't believe we are. The jurassic period and other periods show great changes in the climate and environment. Whereas, although we are experiencing signs of global warming, at this point i'd have to say it isn't to the degree of the aforementioned periods. We are experiencing changes but not to the degree of total annhilation of the populations, clearly. We should not dismiss this though. As with other important issues, we as humans can begin to change our way of living to preserve our environment and our animal friends as well. If survival is important to us, we's better begin to see extinction as imminent if we turn a blind eye to it now.

A theory on theories

After looking over our lab for last monday and again in lecture just now, the thought came to mind that theories do not have to be threatening. The theory of Evolution, for example, is so complex that over the decades and centurys even, there have been many questions raised. Scientists and Theologists continue to battle for answers. Was it the "Big Bang" or "God?" But on the level of Natural selection and survival of the fitness, we know them to be proven theories. Even as a self-proclaimed Christian, I know this to be true. So, to answer the blog question I don't think that the concept of the theory of Evolution should be dismissed so easily by people just because of our limited understanding. There are theories I do not agree with but the frame of my lens is expanding a bit..Learning more about what we don't understand can be fun and challenging too. Instead of acting like apes, let's just talk about it.

That's not fluffy...

After reading the article on Pet cloning I took a minute to think about what I hope I would do in the scenario with the couple and their beloved cat. Although I am not a pet owner I came to the conclusion that I do not like the idea of cloning. Not in people nor in animals. There is a natural order to life and when disturbed it can wreak havoc on the people involved, emotionally and spiritually. We are born and we die, simply put. As for the companies developing this technology, I know it an obvious interest of theirs, however, financial gain is their priority. How do they get the money to develop these endeavors? From the families, of course. They need "backing" and so they prey on families who are in mourning. Maybe i am a cynic, but making money off of someone's vulnerability is ethically wrong. Lastly, the companies can NOT bring back the same pet that passed on. For someone who loved/loves their pet and would like to have them live on in the form of an almost identical one, to that I say, " mourn, go to the SPCA, and adopt a new one!" I'm sure if fluffy were still here, that is what she/he would have wanted.

Insurance claims and qualms

Within the issue of Insurance companies knowing our medical status, the question arises, "should they have access to our genetic make-up?" In my opinion, if my insurance is affected by what could be a possible health defect or weakness, of course I'd say no. Since, however, they already know medical history and other information, and it does affect our policies, I don't really know what can be done to pursuade them otherwise. It doesn't seem fair that people who may need the insurance sooner are often denied it and that people who are considered healthier have higher access to it. Unfortunately that is the paradox within the insurance industry...

Embryo Testing

This week's blog topic challenged me a lot. In terms of testing Embryo's for certain diseases I do believe that it depends on the fatality percentage of the unborn child. The question is: Is it worth discarding a human life in the early stages of development if the chances are slim for certain diseases? I think the use of this technology could be a positive if it will either save the mother or the baby. On the other hand, I think it is completely superficial to use it to choose eye color and other characteristics. My belief is that life starts at conception so destroying embryos is not an option for me. I would hope that if my unborn baby had a chance of surviving, I would give it that chance. In my belief, we should not be playing God.

Cellular Respiration and ATP

It's about that time again for yet another blog. As you are all aware of, this week we're talking about the process of Cellular Respiration and the production of ATP. There are two major types of Respiration: Aerobic and Anaerobic. The amount that Aerobic respiration yields is 36 ATP and the amount that Anaerobic respiration yields (in the combined efforts of Lactic acid and Ethanol fermentation) is a total of 4 ATP. Clearly, in the absence of oxygen there is less ATP produced. As humans require oxygen, we would not survive on Anearobic alone; we must have Aerobic respiration to live. Although we require O2 to live, some human muscle cells can still produce ATP under conditions that are Anaerobic. With that in mind though, because there is so little ATP produced, those muscle cells would run out quite easily and can therefore lead to Lactic acid buildup. Thus, we need Aerobic Respiration to fuel more ATP production. I would think that "warm-blooded " animals would produce more ATP than "cold-blooded" animals in order to heat their blood to a higher temperature. What are your ideas on this?

Problems with Deforestation

This weeks topic of Photosynthesis and Global warming are indeed apart of one another. In our Biology book researchers found that the nutrients in certain ecosystems are gained through the plants. When plants and trees aren't present, the whole ecosystem suffers. Not only does the ecosystem suffer, but the earth as a whole suffers. Since less trees are using up CO2, it is concentrating in our atmosphere. This is dangerous because the CO2 absorbs heat radiation and bounces it back towards the Earth and thus is a prime contributer to Global warming. Outside of burning fossil fuels, deforestation is the greatest source of Global warming.

The American Way...

Recently, the movie Wall-e illustrated the fact that we American's are eating ourselves to death...literally. It makes perfect sense that our can-do spirit and independent ways have lead us to over-indulge in pretty much everything we can get our hands on. The ancient Historian Libby once said, " In recent years, our wealth has made us greedy." In Wall-e we see the danger of a culture falling into consumerism. Although we can pinpoint that there is a problem we don't have the power to create a collective effort that will change the culture. Certain groups of people can become healthier but as a whole the nation is so caught up in it's fast-paced, no time for exercise, fast food eating ways.
We are a nation built on addictions and the food industry keeps feeding those addictions with no regard to the publics health.
So, what can we as citizens do for our health? Enough of us are beginning to call for changes from the food industry and slowly we have seen the positive affects. For example, there is more of an awareness of food labels and we are becoming more knowledgable of nutrition facts. We're also having children now and not only want them to grow up in good health but the nature of cancers and other diseases are affecting us at the root of our families. Do we want to see our children grow up? I do. It is time to take back our lives! If not now, then when?

Anti-aging cosmetics that age?

I have always wondered what the miracle of anti-aging creams and cosmetics were. Since the industry thrives on consumers, I decided to check this out. One of the questions I have had about these products are obviously the ingredients. I have heard that anything with the wax paraben in it is actually an aging agent. Is that the case? If not, why are so many products being marketed as "paraben free?" So, if that is the case why is it in so many consumer anti-aging products nationwide and why do we women eat it up like it's factual? Here is a link to a product on the market today: http://www.murad.com/age-reform-night-regimen.jsp

The Nutrition Label

This week I looked at a box of Quaker Oats Oatmeal. What I found was hopeful. The upside is there is 3 grams of dietary soluble fiber in each serving of oatmeal. That's pretty good and if we eat it more often than not, we're taking a step in the right direction. Besides other essential vitamins and minerals listed the only other suspicious ingredient I saw was caramel color and calcium carbonate. I don't fully remember what that is. Sorry. Guar gum I believe is an emulsifyer; we briefly spoke on it in class. Overall, this is a healthier food option then say a brownie topped with icecream. Although, that does sound good! As a believer in Nutrition, I think it is necessary to look at labels. The point is not to feel like we are denying ourselves of yummy things but to set ourselves up healthfully for the future. Otherwise, If we don't care to know what it is we're putting into our bodies, why do we even attempt to maintain them? Fiber is like the shower for our insides...I know that sounds strange but it's true. But if we take the time to wash our bodies and keep them clean, why not do the same for the places we cannot see. It is also true in many different areas of life. Any thoughts would be great!

On living...

I know that I am alive because of how my body reacts to certain stimuli. In my ever changing environment, the simple yet complex responses tell me I am most certaintly alive. From bodily reactions to weather changes to long-term memory function, they both demonstrate just how much each system needs the other for survival. I could perform the necessary functions and be a walking veggie, but without others, I wouldn't get very far.

Hello All

I hope that you all can read this. I tend to be a little blog-illiterate so bare with me. I'm excited to be in the class...so, let's have fun!