Genetic Diseases

Also called genetic disorders, they are caused by abnormalities in a person's DNA. These abnormalities can range from a small mutation in a single gene, to the addition or subtraction of entire chromosomes.

Types of Disorders:

• Multifactorial Disorders, also called complex or polygenic disorders, are the result of mutations in multiple genes. They are associated with environmental causes.
• Hypothyroidism
• Colon Cancer
• Ovarian/Breast Cancer
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Chromosomal Genetic Diseases have the absence, duplication, or alteration of entire chromosomes. Abnormalities in the structure or number can result in some of the most dangerous genetic diseases. 
• Cri-du-Chat syndrome
• Down syndrome
• Klinefelter syndrome
• William's syndrome
• Turner syndrome
• Single-Gene disorders result when there is an alteration of one gene. Genes code for proteins, which perform most life functions. When a gene is mutated so that its protein product can no longer carry out its normal function, a disorder can result.
• Cysitc fibrosis
• Huntington's disease 
• Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1)
• Sickle cell disease
• Mitochondrial Disorders are rare types of genetic disorders caused by mutations in the nonchromosomal DNA of mitochondria. Mutations in the mitochondrial DNA can cause many undesireable results.
• Leber's hereditary optic atrophy
• Kearns-Sayre disease
• Myoclonus epilepsy
• MELAS

Questions:

1. Aside from the four examples I have provided of multifactorial disorders, find one more and describe the environmental causes it is coupled with.
2. Both males and females can get mitochondrial diseases equally, but always get it from their mother. Explain how this is possible.
3. Describe some ways people at risk of or have a single gene disorder can be helped, despite the fact that there are no known cures for these disorders.

The Chromosomal Disorders

I want to share this web that i found interesting and helpful during my study of the chromosomal disorder.
http://www.biology.iupui.edu/biocourses/n100/2k2humancsomaldisorders.html

and these are some questions to help learn and understand this chromosomal disorders

1. What is caused by the Patau Syndrome (trinomy 13)?
2. When does Nondisjunction occur?
3. What is the 4 types of changes in chromosome structure?

Hermaphrodites

A hermaphrodite is an organism containing both male and female genitalia. They are able to produce both male and female gametes by themselves. Most hermaphrodites are invertabrates, however there are some vertabrate hermaphrodites. Hermaphrodites are characterized into two major groups: Sequential and simultaneous.

Sequential hermaphrodites undergo a sex change during their life. their are two types of sequential hermaphrodites:

Protandry-when an organism is born as a male and then changes to a female. ex. Clownfish
Protogyny-when an organism is born as a female and changes to a male. ex. wrasses(a group of reef fish)

Simultaneous hermaphrodites contain both male and female sexual organs. An example of a simultaneous hermaphrodite is an earthworm.


How might a species benefit from being able to reproduce by itself?
http://icb.oxfordjournals.org/content/46/4/473.full

What might be some drawbacks to being a hermaphrodites?
http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/the-drawbacks-faced-by-hermaphroditic-species/

If Alex Furman suddenly changed sex how would he be classified?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermaphrodite

Types of Cancer Treatments

There are a couple different types of ways to treat cancer, however it depends on what kind of cancer you have and what needs to be done to help stop or slow that certain type of cancer. One type of treatment is Chemotherapy it destroys cancer cells, stops the cells from spreading, and slows the growth of cells that have already developed. You can only get Chemotherapy through an iv, a shot into your muscle, a pill, or a cream that you rub on to your skin. Depending on the level of cancer you have you may need treatment everyday, every week, or every month but in between these treatments you must have a period of rest where your body can build healthy new cells. Another type of treatment is Radiation, where they use high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. One way to have radiation treatment would be through x-rays. They use radiation to shrink tumors in the brain, spine, growing in a bone, or in the esophagus. There is one problem with radiation treatment, there is the chance of ruining normal healthy cells. Another way to treat some cancers is through cryosurgery which is the use of extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen to destroy affected tissue. It is used mostly for external tumors, early skin cancer, precancerous growths, and cervical cancer. Last there is a treatment called biological therapy, that works with your immune system. It helps to fight cancer and also helps with the side effects from other cancer treatments such as Chemotherapy.

This blog is intended to extend your knowledge on the effects of DDT exposure on the human cell. The following link leads to a site that I found very helpful in my studies: http://www.chem.duke.edu/~jds/cruise_chem/pest/ddtup.html.
1. How does DDT get into the cells and why does this pose a threat?

2. What is the importance of Potassium and Sodium inside nerve cells?

3. Why is the leaking of Sodium and Potassium dangerous?

CELL COMMUNICATION

Cell communication is essential for all multicellular organisms. All of the billions of cells of a human must communicate in order to achieve everyday things like eating walking or talking. communication among cells is also key in unicellular organisms that need to communicate with other organisms to get food and mate.by studing cell communication we are helping to answer some of the most important questions in biology and medicine. it is allowing us to learn how cells communicate in areas like embryological development to hormone action to the development of cancer and other fatal diseases.

the signals recieved by cells can come from other cells or from some change in the organisms environment and can take various forms. cells can sense and respond to electromagnetic signals, such as light, and to mechanical senses, such as touch. however cells most used form of communication is through chemical signals. so it is essensial for ells to commuicate with each other in order to function properly

http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/cm1504/cellcommunication.htm

1) what are some ways cells communicate and why is it important for them to communicate?

2) how could cell communication help in the study of fatal diseases like cancer?

3) what would be some effects of cells not being able to communicate with each other?

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, incurable and ultimately fatal form of dementia. The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease occur because of the loss of neurons. One of the key features of Alzheimer's is the presence of aggregated proteins, also called amyloid fibrils. These fibrils are made up of the A-beta protein, which can form the starting core for these clumps on the cell membrance which may lead to Alzheimer's.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/23368-alzheimers-cell-disease/

1.) One theory about how Alzheimer's develops is the ability of these amyloid fibrils to disrupt the internal workings of neurons. How do these fibrils destroy neurons, and why do the cells not rid themselves of these damaged proteins?
2.) Explain the process of Apoptosis and does this process help or eventually hurt neurons?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100625124544.htm

1.) High levels of aneuploidy may result in developmental abnormalities and disease. Explain why this occurs, and what the outcome for the patient may be.