Ecology, Genetics, and Evolution...

The snail Cepaea nemoralis is a organism that could be found all across Europe, and scientist used their shells to study evolution and natural selection. The shell color of the snail is controlled by a single gene "C"with three alternative alleles, and in order of dominance the three alleles are brown, pink, and yellow. These different shell colors exhibits different thermal properties, and laboratory experiments have shown shells with darker colors, such as brown and pink absorb solar radiation more efficiently than light colored shells such as yellow. Due to the thermal properties of the shells, darker shells are better suited for colder climates as they can make the most of the small amount of heat around them, however they are not suited for warmer climates because they are more vulnerable to heat shocks since the take up heat readily. Snails with lighter hand on the other hand are better suited to warmer climates because they can tolerate prolonged sunshine and are therefore are better at with standing heat shocks. From a evolutionary perspective, the snails with the genes for a shell color suitable for their environment will be more likely to survive to reproduce therefore passing on their adaptive trait to the next generation. In other words due to natural selection there will be a larger distribution of darker colored snails at colder environments, conversely there will be a larger distribution of lighter colored snails at hotter environments. Visual selection also play a great role in the evolution of the Cepaea nemoralis snails, one of the many predators of the Cepaea nemoralis snail is the song thrush therefore the ability of the snail to camouflage with it's environment is detrimental in their survival. It was observed that yellow snails are heavily predated in the woodlands because they are more conspicuous against the dark background, where darker snails on the other hand had the advantage of camouflage to avoid predators, and survive to reproduce. So the possible variation between the colors of snails found in different environment could be a product of visual selection and micro-climatic selection, hence demonstrating the evolution of this species of snails through natural selection.

Cepaea nemoralis

AIDS stands for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and people with AIDS are highly susceptible to opportunistic diseases, infections, and cancers that takes advantage of a collapsed immune system. The reason is because the virus that causes AIDS, is HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and it mainly attacks the T cells in our immune system that are responsible for fighting pathogens. In HIV infection, evolutionary process occurs over the time span of a months to years, rapidly altering the makeup of the viral population from a single individual, this is because once inside the cell, it transcribes itself in reverse, using the enzyme reverse transcriptase to make DNA, the host cell then integrates this newly formed DNA into its own genome. Due to the sheer number and diverse variety of the HIV virus, many could not be eliminated. As an example of natural selection, the immune system targets the virus and eliminate the more susceptible ones leaving behind the viral mutants that has the ability to escape detection and elimination, these selected few then survive to reproduce giving rise to a stronger generation of virus, hence crippling the immune system and leaving the patient vulnerable of invading pathogens.

http://www.lanl.gov/quarterly/q_fall03/selection.shtml

HIV Virus

In every organism on this planet their physical characteristics and outward appearance are determined by genetics, where different combinations of alleles give rise to different traits that helps the organism survive in their giving environment, and as part of ecology different environment give rise to different species whom through the process of natural selection are able to adapt as a population hence evolution. So from this we could observe this relationship between evolution, ecology, and genetics.

Saving Marine Mammals

Earth’s ever changing climate have a great effect on marine life forms in the ocean, changing their natural habitats and driving them to the point of extinction. Of the 129 species of marine mammals an estimate of approximately one-quarter of them are current facing extinction. It is important to protect these animals in order to preserver the biodiversity as well as a functioning ecosystem because most of these mammals include top predators on the food chain, for example dolphins and polar bears. At Stanford University and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, researchers found out that by preserving 4% of the ocean this could play a crucial role in the protection of a vast majority of marine mammal species.

                  The researchers pinpointed areas of the ocean where conservation could protect the maximum number of species that are vulnerable to extinction, and overlaid maps where each marine mammal species is found, these composition of map revealed to them locations with the highest diversity of species. After pinpointing the 20 conservation sites that contains about 84% of all marine animals, the scientist also considered habitats of special importance to the mammal as well as locating breeding grounds and migration routes. It was found that these areas where all coincided with regions that are highly impact by human activity therefore this would make conservation difficult, but the ultimate goal is still protecting 4% of the worlds ocean in order to preserve some of the worlds most magnificent creatures.

Sea Otter: One of the endangered marine mammals

 Bibliography: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110829115431.htm:

Bio control Pesticides

Thailand is a tropical country located close to the equator, it is hot all year round and during the rainy season it is very humid. The recent flood not only devastated the lives and homes of countless Thai citizens, but also polluted the streets and rivers with un-sanitized water, this damp and humid environment makes it a perfect spawning ground for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes in Thailand are known for compromising people’s health and spreading several diseases such as malaria. The solution to this could be found in bio pesticides that contain a certain type of fungus that is pathogenic to mosquitoes; this makes it an effective means to reduce to number of mosquitoes and therefore reducing malaria transmission.

According to the study the effectiveness of the fungus on mosquitoes were conducted using both laboratory as well as field studies, where experimenters model estimates the “impact of different vector control intervention on the mosquito’s life cycle and the average number of mosquitoes that survive to transmit malaria.” The results from the studies and experiments show that the technique must be widely practiced as a community in order to successfully control malaria transmissions, whether the strategies involve fungal bio pesticides or insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs). This technique could be proven to be very help in the reduction of malaria transmittance rate, this technique when applied to the citizens of Thailand could prove to be beneficial in reduction the chance of adults and children to the exposure of diseases such as malaria.

Malaria carrying mosquito

Bibliography: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091001235445.htm

Genetically Engineering Natural Body Guards

The integration of ecology and molecular biology has resulted in many important advances in understanding the complex interactions between organisms and the underlying mechanisms. One of the many advances in combining the two sciences could be seen in the plant Arabidopsis thaliana L., an excellent model for investigating ecological interactions such as induced indirect defense. Induced indirect defense is a technique plants use to defend themselves against the feeding of herbivorous arthropods by releasing substances into the air called volatiles, which attracts natural enemies of the herbivores and the activities of these natural predators benefit the plant's fitness therefore making this technique evolutionarily advantageous for plants. For many plants species after the releasing of volatiles, a process known as herbivory, the compound called (E)-DMNT has been detected in the surrounding of these plants, and of the many species of plants Arabidopsis is one of them. Using Arabidopsis as a model for studying the compound (E)-DMNT, we could pinpoint certain enzymes that are responsible for the synthesis for the compound and apply it in genetic engineering in order to create pest resistance crops.

The first step in studying the ecological relevance of individual compound of the complex volatile is through understanding the chemical pathway that is genetically engineered to the transgenic plant. In the process of genetic engineering the sesquiterpene (3S)-(E)-nerolidol, a precursor for (E)-DMNT is required in order to create transgenic plants that releases the compound (E)-DMNT during herbivory. However earlier attempts to produce relevant amounts of sesquiterpene have failed due to the lack of farnesyl diphostphate (FPP), which is the precursor for (3S)-(E)-nerolidol, therefore targets with an abundance of FPP are required for the synthesis of sesquiterpene. More suitable target for sesquiterpene synthase to target include the cytosol and the plastids due to their abundance in FPPs, the mitochondria a site of ubiquitous biochemical biosynthesis on the other hand is much alike the cytosol and a the compartmentalization of the mitochondria allows it to regulate the production of (E)-DMNT making it the perfect target for sesquiterpene synthase. FaNES1 a strawberry nerolidol synthase, also a form of sesquiterpene synthase is targeted using CoxIV (cytochromes oxidase subunit IV) localizing it in the mitochondria, therefore making up the transgenic plant.

Chemical Pathway of (E)-DMNT with precursors of (3S)-(E)-nerolidol and farnesyl diphostphate (FPP)

In the experiment transgenic Arabidopsis and wild Arabidopsis are grown in containers, where in the transgenic plants CoxIV is fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) to efficiently target the GFP to the mitochondria. Using a method called solid-phase micro extraction (SPME) the levels of volatile compounds are recorded from the plants during herbivory. The results collected show that the levels of (3S)-(E)-nerolidol detected from the transgenic samples are 20-30 times more than the compounds from wild plant samples, where for the transgenic samples 9 of 12 were recorded detecting the compound (3S)-(E)-nerolidol, and of the 9 transgenic samples 5 were detected with the compound (E)-DMNT during herbivory. The wild plants on the other hand were unable to cause the formation of either (3S)-(E)-nerolidol or (E)-DMNT during herbivory, unlike other plant species whom proved otherwise. The reason for this is because the rate in which (3S)-(E)-nerolidol is converted into (E)-DMNT is inversely proportional to the rate at which they are released during herbivory, however this could be regulated using jasmonic acid, which acts as a mediator.

(E) Undamaged Transgenic (F) Undamaged Wild Type, Jasmonic acid (G) Undamaged Transgenic, Jasmonic acid

Transgenic CoxIV-FaNES1 plants were successful in emitting both (3S)-(E)-nerolidol and (E)-DMNT compounds during herbivory, and from the study both compounds were successful in attracting predatory mites (P. persimilis) when the transgenic Arabidopsis were being eating by herbivorous arthropods such as spider mites (Tetranychus Urticae) and caterpillar (P. rapae). From these conclusions we utilize this defensive mechanism and applying them to improve pest resistance of crops, however there are also several problems concerning with the transgenic CoxIV-FaNES1 plants that were used in the experiment. The problem that was seen in the transgenic Arabidopsis plants was that both the first and second generation of the transgenic species suffered from growth retardation, this is due to the divergence of FPP to be synthesized to (3S)-(E)-nerolidol causing a uneven distribution leading to growth inhibition and greatly impacting the performance of the plant. So although the genetic modification of induced indirect defense could improve crop production and allow crop plants to generate control agents against arthropod pest infestation, at the same time also result harming the performance of the plant, therefore saying that even though genetic engineering could be beneficial there is also equal risks involved.

% of predators CoxIV-FaNES1 vs. Wild Type Plants

Work Cited:
1. Kappers, Iris. "Genetic Engineering of Terpenoid Metabolism Attracts Bodyguards to Arabidopsis." Science. 2005: n. page. Web. <http://stke.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/sci;309/5743/2070

2. M, Dicke. "ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF VOLATILE KAIROMONE THAT AFFECTS ACARINE PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS - INVOLVEMENT OF HOST PLANT IN ITS PRODUCTION." JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY. 02 1990: n. page. Web. <http://cel.webofknowledge.com/InboundService.do?SID=S1AGmejh7c5GN75K46d&product=CEL&UT=A1990CT40300008&SrcApp=Highwire&Init=Yes&action=retrieve&Func=Frame&customersID=Highwire&SrcAuth=Highwire&IsProductCode=Yes&mode=FullRecord>.

3. Kessler, Andre. "Silencing the Jasmonate Cascade: Induced Plant Defenses and Insect Populations." Science. 30 07 2004: n. page. Web. 7 May. 2012. <http://www.sciencemag.org/content/305/5684/665.abstract?ijkey=65037872d5afd6050cc21f838fe7bc11bd65feee&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha>. 

"Wipe The Tide"

Thailand have not experience a flooding crisis for almost 50 years and this new crisis has caught Thailand by surprise forcing countless people to evacuate from their homes. I live on the 30th floor of a condominium in Ekkamai and although I'm not affected by the flood as most of the people in Thailand has, I am well aware of the problems this flood is having on my community. One of the main problem in my opinion is the dirty flood water, which is floating with corpse of animals that drowned or died because of the flood. This poses as a treat because still and dirty sewage water could pose as a spawning ground for diseases as well as mosquitoes that carry malaria. Another main concern of the flood is the livelihood of the flood victims, having loses their homes and lacking basic resources such as food or water they deserve our support more than ever now, and this is where I come in because I have been helping a group called "Wipe the Tide" and I've been volunteering my time to help contribute to helping the flood victims in Thailand.

On the 6th of November, a Sunday I set out with a group of seniors to help volunteer for "Wipe the Tide" in Central World. Some of the activities I participated in was asking for generous people to help donate to help the flood victims, as well as helping to clean the wind shield of cars and collecting the money that we earned and donating them to the flood victims. We worked in small groups of threes for over four hours, it was hard and tiring work but knowing that I am making a difference and helping the flood victims makes it all worth the while. After four hours of working and collecting money we returned back to our group so that we could combine the money we earned and store it in the bank, the whole group ranged around 150 people, it took about an hour to both count and arrange the money before we took it to the bank. Waiting outside the bank everyone was excited as me anticipating the total amount of cash we have earned for the flood victims, and after half and hour of waiting the founder of this foundation came out and declared that in all we have raised an approximate of 300 thousand baht! Everyone was celebrating and congratulating each other for a job well done and I was proud of the 4 hours that I donated in order to contribute to this good cause.

This picture was taken after the announcement of the 300 thousand baht was made, and it reminds me of the 4 hours of my life that I spent helping people other than myself. The goal of this foundation is to raise at least 1 million baht so "Wipe the Tide" will continue for every Sunday until the goal is completed, and I too am looking forward to go and help them out again this Sunday!

Homeoopathy a Miracle Medicine or a Fraud

Homeopathy is a amazing style therapeutic treatment for the human body, what that amazes me in homeopathy is that we are able to take sample of solution that may be harmful when highly concentrated, but if we diluted the solution over and over again it could become medicine. But although the pioneers of homeopathy and their patient agree that homeopathy is medicine I strongly agree because the reason Homeopathy could cure a patient could be due to the "Placebo effect" where the feeling that homeopathy is a medicine and will work would contribute to the recovery of the patient. Also the method of homeopathy could is somewhat suspicious to me because according to homeopathy if I take a swimming pool and fill it with a certain solution and I dilute this solution over and over again it will soon become priceless medicine, so I think that homeopathy is a fraud and until there is a real prove that it works my perceptive on homeopathy would remain as it is now.

Oh Cells how I Overlooked You...

Long before we are born the cells in our body has began functioning and supporting us and they will continue to do so each and everyday of our lives until the very day that we die. And Although cells are the most important part of our body it is also to most overlooked, because we never stopped to question and learn what a cell could do and what it has done for us. Obviously cells are very complicated structures and are still a mystery to us, and as for the time being we only understand the basics features and functions of a cell while the cell itself contain the genetic information that helps it understand ourselves better than we do.

Cells are amazing and unique in every way and they have the potential to surprise us with new facts and information that we at first may thought to be impossible. For example in the mid 1980s scientists were astonished when they found that nitric oxide a formidable toxin and common component to air pollutant was being produced in cells for the purpose of controlling blood flow, energy levels and are responsible for attacking cancers and other pathogens. Another interesting fact about cells that would have never been thought possible is they that they have the ability to convert the food that we eat and the oxygen we breathe into electricity that is estimated to be around 0.1 volts and travels in nanometers. So although cells are the smallest unit of all living organisms they are still the most complicated and it would take more then a lifetime to uncover their many fascinating secrets.

Cells are truly complicated and unique structures but what is it that is happening inside them? According to Physicist James Trefil the cell is "a complex chemical refinery" while bio chemist Guy Brown describes it as "a vast, teeming metropolis", in theory these two men are both correct but they are also both wrong because although the cell can be both a "chemical refinery" and a "teeming metropolis" it is still a much more nightmarish place. Inside the cell millions upon millions of chemicals and other agents move around to carry out their duties at frightening speeds and every once in a while they can collide with each other causing massive damage. For example once about 8 second a strand of DNA would be damaged upon impact by these passing objects and these wounds that are inflicted on the DNA strands would have to be swiftly repaired in order to guarantee the cell's survival, and the survival of the cell is very important to us because it is these functions that keep us alive.

If a cell was seen as a human being it would be a very selfless and loyal person because each and everyday it would have to carry out millions of tasks to ensure our survival and in the process of accomplishing these task the cell would also have to look out of themselves and repair damaged parts in order to keep supporting our needs. Each day after accomplishing their given tasks billions of cells in our body dies for our own benefit, and these cells that died in dignity are often forgotten by us because we do not take the time to appreciate what they have done for us. Cells are very magnificent structures in our bodies and there is much to learn and understand about them, but at the same time we owe thanks to these cells for supporting us like a loyal and selfless friend from the day we set foot to this world to the very day we leave it. And although countless cells would die in our lifetime we would be always be our cell's greatest accomplishment.