Genetics

What are some causes of cancer?

Cancer can arise spontaneously, but can also be induced as a result of environmental factors such as sun exposure and smoking. If you were in charge of allocating resources for cancer prevention, would you emphasize research on curing cancer, or education about cancer prevention? Explain your answer.

Although tobacco smoking is responsible for a large number of human cancers, not all smokers develop cancer. Why is this?

Pick a specific tumor suppressor gene or oncogene and explain how this gene can lead to or prevent cancer. Be sure to focus on the mechanism of how your chosen gene impacts the cell cycle. You can alternatively pick a virus that has been associated with cancer and explain how that virus impacts the cell cycle and ultimately leads to cancer.

1. Identify and describe several current environmental issues, and describe the federal laws and regulatory agencies that exist to protect the environment. 2. List organizations and global initiatives that protect the environment. 3. Describe the major sources of air pollution, and list strategies for minimizing their effects. 4. Analyze sources of water pollution, and list ways to protect water quality. 5. Describe the risks of noise pollution and methods for minimizing it. 6. Describe the elements of the visual environment and how they affect health. 7. List the common energy sources and describe how to conserve them. 8. Explain the benefits of recycling, and describe methods of waste disposal. 9. Discuss the impact of the natural environment on human health status, and list guidelines for protecting and preserving the environment. 10. Describe ways to become an effective health advocate for the environment.

The Alien Ethnographer Imagine that you are an ethnographer from a different planet. As part of your alien Ph.D. requirements, you have been sent to earth to conduct an ethnographic study of any “human activity” of your choosing. This activity may be something you are currently witnessing (e.g., behavior in the student center) or something you have witnessed in the past (e.g., a family celebration of a specific holiday). You are to conduct a small ethnographic study of this observed activity by briefly answering the following questions.

1. What is the name given to this activity?

2. What is the purpose of the activity?

3. What procedures are used to perform the activity?

4. What are the time and space requirements of the activity?

5. What are the personnel requirements of the activity?

6. What is the nature of the social organization?

7. What are the occasions for performance of the activity?

In the New York Times article, “From Prison to Ph.D.: The Redemption and Rejection of Michelle Jones,” the author describes how an Indiana prisoner who murdered her 4-year-old son 20 years ago became a scholar and was awarded a PhD while still in prison. Following her application to attend further study at Harvard University, she was turned down by Harvard’s administration, citing concerns that they were supporting someone who is a convicted “child murderer.” Elizabeth Hinton, one of the Harvard historians who backed Ms. Jones, called her “one of the strongest candidates in the country last year, period.” The case “throws into relief,” she added, the question of “how much do we really believe in the possibility of human redemption?” Discuss.

Scenario: Recently, Jon Doe suffered a serious neck injury in which his spinal cord was damaged and will not heal without stem cells. Doctors say, due to his highly unusual genetic make-up, it is almost impossible that they will ever find usable and compatible donor cells. Jon Doe’s family is looking into new methods to find something to help him. Consider what we have covered with regard to stem cells. Explain a way in which doctors could use stem cells that are a perfect match to Jon Doe's DNA (regardless of how complex his ethnic background is.) Be sure to use appropriate vocabulary in your justification of your response. Note: Human cloning is illegal and therefore cannot be used as an answer here.

Write an essay on KEFIR for a wellness fair.

The aim of this project is to take a critical look at the hype that surrounds so many “super foods” we hear about in the media. Many are touted for their “mysterious” appeal and outstanding health benefits, but are these claims backed up by legitimate scientific research?

The handout should include the following elements:

1. Description of the food item.
2. Nutrient composition.
3. Benefits it is claimed to have for human health.
4. Summary of the scientific evidence (or lack of evidence).
5. Concluding statement or recommendation.
6. References (at least 3), from a reliable health information source such as the NIH, a university, a government organization, or a peer-reviewed scientific publication. Do not use websites from private physicians, nutritionists, or self-proclaimed “health experts.” Use websites with extensions that are .edu, .gov. or .org (if it’s a non-profit organization).

We talked about the genes controlling our ability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. Collectively the enzymes produced by the set of genes involved are called lactase. "Lactose intolerance" describes the most common condition in human adults, which is an inability to digest lactose because lactase is not produced. These people could all produce lactase as infants, however, so they have the genes needed to produce functional enzymes. Somehow the regulation of expression of the genes changes as most people grow up.

People who can digest lactose as adults are said to be "lactase persistent", that is, they continue to produce lactase even in adulthood. Ponder the genetic mechanisms for regulating the expression of the genes producing lactase and describe three feasible hypotheses for mutations affecting the regulating mechanisms that would enable a person to produce lactase as an adult.

A poll was conducted to investigate opinions about global warming. The respondents who answered yes when asked if there is solid evidence that the earth is getting warmer were then asked to select a cause of global warming. The results are given in the accompanying data table. Use a .01 significance level to test the claim that the sex of the respondent is independent of the choice for the cause of global warming. Do men and women appear to​ agree, or is there a substantial​ difference?

A. Find T statistics X²

B. Find R and C value

C. Restate the decision and address the original claim. Use this conclusion to determine what the results suggest about the sex of the respondent and the choice for the cause of global warming.

Jordan is now 40 years old. After a brief tour in the Air Force (once-deployed) and a few rounds of stopping and starting a college education while trying to figure out what he wanted to do, he finally graduated with a 3.7 GPA as a nontraditional, working, online student. Jordan’s degree is in human services, after which he went on to earn a master’s degree in counseling. His new job is on an Army post where he works as a civilian with returning soldiers. Jordan feels that there is much meaning and purpose related to the work that he does, but he feels overworked, underpaid, exhausted, lacking motivation, and dreads going to work each day.

What would you say Jordan is experiencing and what do you recommend that he do to improve his current situation?