The evolution of man
THE EVOLUTION OF MAN. Introduction Until recent times, it was commonly accepted that man had always been as we are now, we were created by God, in his image. The works and theories of Charles Darwin changed this, his book, The origin of species, sold out on the day it was published in 1859 and quickly had him labelled as the most dangerous man in England by those in the religious community. Darwin's Theory of Evolution is the widely held notion that all life is related and has descended from a common ancestor: the birds and the bananas, the fishes and the flowers -- all related. Darwin's general theory presumes the development of life from non-life and stresses a purely naturalistic (undirected) "descent with modification". That is, complex creatures evolve from more simplistic ancestors naturally over time. In a nutshell, as random genetic mutations occur within an organism's genetic code, the beneficial mutations are preserved because they aid survival -- a process known as "natural selection." These beneficial mutations are passed on to the next generation. Over time, beneficial mutations accumulate and the result is an entirely different organism (not just a variation of the original, but an entirely different creature). (Darwins theory of evolution.com) Modern man has evolved slowly over the course of millions of years, with many factors playing a part. Jenine
The 'Big Bang'.
The 'Big Bang'. Most scientists believe that the Universe was created with an enormous explosion about 15,000 million years ago. They call this the 'Big Bang'. There are no words to describe what things were like before the 'Big Bang'. If you try to imagine nothingness, then that isn't what was there before the 'Big Bang' as there wasn't even dimensions there was just nothing, then an infinitely small dot which was a compacted version of everything in the universe and then some kind of catalyst exploded sending all the particles flying out, which they still are today. Some scientists believe that infinite numbers of 'Big Bangs' all happened almost simultaneously causing an infinite numbers of universes which all expand never branching into each other. The Process of Evolution. According to evolutionists, the early cells evolved into the millions of species of organisms that have ever lived. In the process of evolution, a change, called a mutation, in the genetic code of an organism occurs because of radiation, chemicals, or a chance event. This change is then either kept or removed by natural selection. If the organism survives, it passes its traits on to its offspring. Over time, these changes accumulate in the population and another species evolves, which is totally different from its ancestors. However, scientists have questioned this explanation for the variety of
MENTAL HEALTH
AO1 Mental health issues The concept of mental health There are a wide range of different terms that people use to describe mental health these are as follows: The World Health Organisation (WHO) have objectives and functions, which are there core commitment to mental health promotion, these are as follows: - " not merely the absence of disease of infirmity" - "attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health" - To foster activities in the field of mental health, especially those affecting the harmony of human relations" The World Health Organisation defines health as: ... A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity Mental health promotion involves actions that support people to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles, which therefore create a supportive living condition or environment. Mental illnesses are common and universal. There is no general term for mental health and illnesses. According to research, the most prevalent mental health problems were due to alcohol and drug abuse, family violence and abuse, and suicidal behaviour. Many people in the society are not very familiar with mental health problems. Although, research has shown that about 50 years ago, people would class people with mental health problems and would say they had a 'demon' was inside of them and possessed them.
'The advantages and disadvantages of developing genetically engineered organisms?
'The advantages and disadvantages of developing genetically engineered organisms?' Genetic engineering is the method of changing organisms' characteristics inherited by alerting it genetic material. This often done to cause micro organisms, such as bacteria and viruses, to synthesize increased yields of compounds, to form entirely new compounds, or to adapt to different environments. Other uses of this such of a technology, is known as the recombinant DNA technology, it includes gene therapy, which is the supply of a functional gene to a person with a genetic disorder or with other diseases such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or cancer. Genetic engineering involves the manipulation of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. Important tools in this process are so-called restriction enzymes that are produced by various species of bacteria. Restriction enzymes can recognize a particular sequence of the chain of chemical units, called nucleotide bases, which make up the DNA molecule and cut the DNA at that location. Fragments of DNA generated in this way can be joined using other enzymes called ligases. Restriction enzymes and ligases therefore allow the specific cutting and reassembling of portions of DNA. Also important in the manipulation of DNA are so-called vectors, which are pieces of DNA that can self-replicate (produce copies of themselves) independently of the
'Only God has the right to interfere with our Genes'
'Only God has the right to interfere with our Genes' Firstly, I have split opinions about the above statement, my reason for agreeing are as follows. I think that God, being the creator should be the only one who is allowed to interfere with our genes. It is wrong that people other than god should be allowed to change the way our child looks and the qualities it has. My view backs up the fact that medical technology has gone too far over the years. In another light, I disagree with this statement because it could also be a good idea for doctors or whoever to interfere with our genes if it is going to stop hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and diabetes and the cure the 'incurable'. There are many Arguments in Favour and Against Genetic engineering, both religious and non-religious. The Non-religious Argument in Favour agrees with me as I say that it offers the chance to cure hereditary or incurable diseases. The other reasons in favour are because it is available in other countries and only people rich enough can afford the treatments and it is a part of medical research, which is closely monitored by the law. The Non-religious Arguments against Genetic Engineering state that it does not give enough information about the consequences and has effects that would be permanent, if anything went wrong. The argument agrees that scientists have
"Only God has the right to interfere with our genes"
Katie Pedley R.E Task B "Only God has the right to interfere with our genes" In most religions 'playing God' is regarded as a great sin, and so it follows that genetically altering a person's unique genes is wrong. "See now that I myself am he! There is no god beside me. I put to death and I bring to life" Dueteronomy 32:30 There are two sides to this statement, one being that nobody has the right to interfere with children's genes, and the other that it is helpful, and people do have the right to change a child. My reason for agreeing with this statement is because God being the creator should be the only person that is allowed to interfere with our genes. It is wrong that people other than God should be allowed to change the way a child looks and the characteristics that it has. The non religious arguments against genetic engineering state that it does not give enough information about the consequences and has effects that would be permanent if anything went wrong. Genetic engineering, in most cases, is used when one or both parents have a faulty gene and do not wish to pass it on to their child. Defective inherited genes can be responsible for mental retardation, physical deformities and early deaths, and so it is argued by many people that doctors and medical researchers should do all they can towards the curing and prevention of these genetic diseases.
'Only God has the right to interfere with our genes' Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion showing you have considered another point of view. In your own answer you should refer to religious teachings.
'Only God has the right to interfere with our genes' Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion showing you have considered another point of view. In your own answer you should refer to religious teachings. In this essay I will be explaining, if I agree with the statement "Only God has the right to interfere with our genes". In order to do this I will be referring to atleast one religious teaching and also including my own opinion. Genetic engineering is when you manipulate DNA directly and allow a particular character to be deleted, altered or replaced. By changing your genetic cells, your new characteristics are passed down throughout the next generation. Genetic engineering in most cases, is used when one or both parents have a faulty gene and do not wish to pass it on to their child. Many religions would be concerned about the issues on genetic engineering for a number of reasons and I will be explaining these along with my view on each issue. Many religions may argue that only God has the right to interfere with our genes and that it is wrong for scientists to be in control of life rather than God. Religions may also argue that by scientists interferring with life they could get rid of certain genetic features which the parents are not particulary fond of, which could be like the creation of a master race. It would also mean that whilst
Induction of beta-galactosidase
Induction of ß-galactosidase Hypothesis and aims By carrying out this experiment I plan to show that in the absence of lactose, the enzyme ß-galactosidase will not be made and the mixture I use to test for this will be colourless. The main aim of the experiment is to demonstrate practically the switching on of a gene. Method To test this hypothesis I will use the bacterium E.Coli which produces the enzyme ß-galactosidase when lactose is present. I will go into the details of how and why later. This is the apparatus, equipment and method I will use. A tick indicates that the named substance will be put into the test tube in question. Test tube cm3 E. Coli without lactose cm3 E. Coli with lactose cm3 Distilled water cm3 ß-galacto- sidase cm3 ONPG 5 drops Methyl- benzene 5cm3 Sodium Phosphate Colour at start Colour at end ? ? ? ? Colourless 2 ? ? ? ? Colourless 3 ? ? ? ? Colourless 4 ? ? ? ? Yellow The lac operon is the classic example of gene regulation, in which the production of ß-galactosidase (lactase) is induced by the presence of lactose in the growth medium. In this practical task, ONPG, rather than lactose is used as a substrate for the enzyme. After partial disruption of the cell membrane with methylbenzene (toluene), colourless ONPG is added. The ONPG moves into the cells where it is broken down by the enzyme to form
Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering
Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering Introduction The first step to understanding genetic engineering and embracing its possibilities for society is to obtain a rough knowledge base of its history and method. The basis for altering the evolutionary process is dependant on the understanding of how individuals pass on characteristics to their offspring. Genetics achieved its first foothold on the secrets of nature's evolutionary process when an Austrian monk named Gregor Mendel developed the first "laws of heredity." Using these laws, scientists studied the characteristics of organisms for most of the next one hundred years following Mendel's discovery. These early studies concluded that each organism has two sets of character determinants, or genes. For instance, in regards to eye colour, a child could receive one set of genes from his or her father that were encoded one blue, and the other brown. The same child could also receive two brown genes from his or her mother. The conclusion for this inheritance would be the child has a three in four chance of having brown eyes, and a one in four chance of having blue. Genes are transmitted through chromosomes which reside in the nucleus of every living organism's cells. Each chromosome is made up of fine strands of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. The information carried on the DNA determines the cells function within the organism.
The use of Recombinant DNA Technology can only Benefit Humans
The use of Recombinant DNA Technology can only Benefit Humans. The term gene technology refers to the process and techniques by which genes may be extracted from the DNA of one organism and inserted into the DNA of another organism, the host organism. In this way, the gene set of the host can be transformed, genetically modified. The modified DNA is called recombinant DNA because it has been re-combined to make a different set of codes. Recombinant DNA procedures involve splicing one piece of DNA into another. The newly formed composite is often grown up in a large amounts (or cloned in bacteria. Recombinant DNA and genetic technology are defined as Biotechnology, which is the use of a living organism to make a product or run a process. Recombinant DNA technology was first used commercially to produce human insulin from bacteria. In 1982, genetically engineered insulin was approved for use by diabetics. To provide a reliable source of human insulin, researchers obtained from the human cells of DNA carrying the gene with information for making human insulin. Researchers made a copy of DNA carrying this insulin gene and moved it into a bacterium. When the bacterium was grown in the lab, the microbe split from one cell into two cells, and both cells got a copy of the insulin gene. Some human
