This was a summary of everything. After all this talk about evolution and fossils, I thought it was a pretty good book. By combining my beliefs in God and creation and fossils and evolution, my outlook on the world and its history is truly extraordinary.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Chapter 10 & 11
I thought the ears chapter was pretty cool. Well better than the other chapters. I found it interesting how only recently that mammals came to have external ear flaps. I also found it intriguing how we have liquid inside our ears and by tilting one's head the liquid moves letting the brain know what direction your head is tilt.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Chapter 11: The Meaning of it All
This was the final chapter in this informative, yet entertaining book. I enjoyed how Shubin managed to tie it all together at the end and leave you feeling satisfied with the knowledge he presented, yet also making you want to learn more. The biological "law of everything" is what I found myself focusing on most during this chapter. Everything he mentioned I would tie to this fundamental law. This law basically means that every living thing on the planet had parents. This law even found a way to connect to the biological mechanism of heredity to allow us to apply it even to creatures like bacteria. The extension of this law is that all of us are modified descendants of our parents, or our parental genetic information. The central issue of this law is deciphering the family tree of species, or their pattern of relatedness. This issue was described like a peeling onion with tracing relatedness through subsets: revealing layer after layer of history. It was cool how Shubin compared us and our inner fish to a hot-rod Beetle (throwing in a history lesson with Hitler and Porsche). This comparison allowed me to understand why we are bound to have problems...I could also understand the issues we face by referencing back to this comparison. The issue of hiccups grasped my attention the most though because of its complexity and how the nerve spasm was a product of our fish history, while the hic is an outcome of history shared with animals such as tadpoles. I found it shocking how diseases such as cardioencephalonyopathy can kill infants that have it. This disease is a genetic change that interrupts normal metabolic funcition of mitochondria. Discoveries of our inner flies, worms, yeast and fish help us find causes of diseases we suffer from and allow us to find ways we can develop tools to live longer and healthier. So while our ancestry can handicap us in some ways, knowledge of our ancestry can help us overcome them.
Chapter 10: Ears
Ears are made up of three sections: outer, or external, the middle, and the inner. The external ear is the newest addition, with the pinna (external ear flap) and is only present in mammals. Mammals also have three middle ear bones, however, reptiles and amphibians have only two, while fish have none! This fact surprised me because I didn't know that our ear bones were so special. A scientist by the name of Reichert discovered that parts of the ears of mammals are the same as parts of jaws of reptiles.(This was extremely revolutinary for his time since this was before Darwin's proposal of evolution). Later on, a scientest named Gaupp used Reichert's discovery to say the three middle ear bones reveal a tie between reptiles and mammals; if indeed the case, the fossil record should show bones shifting from jaw to ear during the origin of mammals...which was eventually confirmed! The origin of mammals include new ways of hearing by repurposing exisiting bones found in reptiles! The middle ear contains the records of two important subjects: one is the origin of our stapes and transformation of a jaw support bone to an ear bone, beginning when fish started to walk on land, and two, the bones at the back of the reptile jaw became our malleus and incus. Shubin helped me understand the inner ear and its gel by comparing it to a snow globe. Once I understood this concept, I also understod the inner ear's basic chain of events: gel inside swishes, hair projections on nerves bend, and an impulse is sent to our brains. This process is made more sensitive with tiny rock-like structure on top of the membrane that allows the gel to move more inside our inner ear. Our inner ear correlates with the eye to assess position and acceleration. Shubin said the best way to understand this is by obstructing it...by sharing what happens in the inner ear when a person is drunk. I found it funny when he said we can thank these occurences because of our shared history with sharks and fish, stating, 'the spinning drunk and fish's water-sensing organs have common genes.' He also stated that mammals obtained a better sense of hearing because their inner ear is developed in a different way compared to other animals. Scientists discovered Pax 2, which is a gene active in the ear region that starts a chain reaction of gene activity that leads to the development of the inner ear. Pax 2 reminded me of Pax 6 from the previous chapter and I was glad to know that they seem to have a link other than their similar names. The box jellyfish (which has eyes!!!) shows that although it does not have either of these genes, it has a gene that 'is a mosaic' to the structure of both Pax 2 and Pax 6...in other words, this jellyfish had a primitive version of both of these genes!
Chapter 9: Vision
Shubin began this chapter by comparing the history of the eye to that of a car, where we can trace its history through the different parts present. He specified that the eyes capture light by using sensitive light-gathering cells. These cells allow the retina to absorb light, and, thus, allow us to see. I was intrigued that we had two types of these cells: one that is very sensitive (black and white vision), and one that is less sensitive (color vision). By finding the percentage of each type of light-sensing cell in an animal's eye, we can determine whether they are specialized for daylight or night...and 70 percent of the sensory cells in our body are these light-gathering cells!! That allowed me to see how much we rely on our vision for survival. Since we use these cells everyday, this made me want to know how they work...so I found it extremely intereseting how the molecules that collect light divide into two parts: one derived from Vitamin A and the other from a protein called opsin (we use different opsins to see in black and white or in color). For our vision, we need three light-gathering molecules for color vision, whereas, we only need one of these for black and white vision. These molecules change shape in light, which is why it takes awhile for us to see when we go from some place extremely bright to some place darker. Opsins use the same receptor path as seen in parts of certain molecules in bacteria! So, in a sense, we can see because of these specific molecules in bacteria. Color vision developed in a similar way as which our odor-receptor genes developed...that is, one of the genes in other mammals duplicated and copies specialized overtime for different light sources...so our sight and sense of smell have more similarities than I originally perceived. Scientists believe the switch to color vision correlates to the switch from one forest to another forest with more colorful food. Scientists also found that animal eyes have a change in their tissue formation (vertebrate vs. invertebrate). The eyeless gene, or Pax 6, was found to control the development of eyes. This gene, when mutated, can result in small eyes, or no eyes at all. And when this gene is turned on in different parts of the body, an eye is developed there! As a result, I learned that Pax 6 controls the development in everything that has eyes....and even if eyes are different, the genetic switches that make them are the same.
Chapter 9-11
Chapter 9- “Vision”
This chapter taught me that eyes aren’t the best candidates for fossil preservation due to its softness and vulnerability. I learned that scent and vision have many similarities. One of which is the amount of history one has behind it. It evolves into a better, more efficient structure as each generation passes and is made up of parts and pieces of each model before it: “simply a mosaic.” I was also very intrigued by the path light takes throughout each part of our eyes. I never knew that we need two different kinds of cells to attract different levels of sensitivity in light. Last, Gehring’s experiment showed me that with the eyeless gene, one can manipulate the DNA sequence of a certain organism: adding a new eye or change the location of the eye.
Chapter 10- “Ears”
When I think of an ear, I think of the outer part, the part we can see. I never knew it consisted of three parts, each with different functions. Although, the idea that surprised me the most was that our inner ear was actually comprised of part of our jaw. Our jaw actually shrunk over time to fit the inner parts of our ear. With this, we are able to acquire a more advanced ear with more features. I also found out that acceleration is one of the functions our ear is capable of. When we accelerate, fluid in our air swishes and produces a nerve impulse that is sent to our brain to tell us we are accelerating. Who knew such immense teamwork existed in our bodies?
Chapter 11- “The Meaning of It All"
I believe the most important information in this chapter was the pattern of descent with modification. With this concept, students/educators can clearly understand the way life’s history works and how everything was produced. The diagram of the “bozos” amused me, but at the same time educated me in my knowledge of family history. I also found the idea of suffering for all of our new and improved features very surprising because I never thought of all the defects our body had. When something hurt, I just endured it or took medicine. When Shubin described humanity as “sedentary,” it really encouraged me to be more active so I wouldn’t have to go through all the problems that humans face. Last, when he described all of our diseases and sicknesses, I felt like I had all the knowledge one can possibly attain. Being able to learn all the origins of our diseases gave me a sense of hope that maybe, I can try to avoid it in the future. All in all, I am very grateful to read this novel because I was able to learn more about the human body and that it is important to grow healthy for future generations.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Ch.8-11
Ch. 8 Making Sense
I never thought that extracting DNA was easy. I figured it would take a team of researchers and a well equipped lab, but Shubin proved me wrong when he said that we can extract DNA in our own kitchen, with just easily accessible ingredients such as dish wash soap, water, salt, etc.
Shubin called DNA an "extraordinarily powerful window into life's history" in the first page of the chapter, but on the next page, he called DNA goop. I was shocked and amused at the same time because i figured that this chapter will be informative and boring because of the way he described DNA the first time. I was also shocked to find out that genes involved in the sense of smell was in every cell. I thought they were only in the nasal area, but i found out that the genes in the nasal area are the only ones active. Our genes are amazing. Shubin described that "some people can detect the odor molecules in a green bell pepper at a concentration of less than one part per trillion". He compared that to "picking out one grain of sand from a mile-long beach."
Ch. 9 Vision
I loved how Shubin described humans as "a mosaic of bits and pieces found in virtually everything else on the planet." It concludes his point on evolution that we, organisms, are all parts of each other, even those in the past. Shubin's use of pictures and diagrams helped me understand the importance of each part of the eye. I found out that as eyes evolve, visual acuity increases. I did not know that vertebrates and invertebrates have different types of eyes. invertebrates have tissues that fold a couple times, while vertebrates' tissues do not fold. Its amazing that the eyeless gene by Gehring can create eyes on the antennas, legs, etc, of a fly. However,it started to get me nauseous when Gehring started to switch the eyeless gene on other organisms such as a mouse with a fly gene. This switch created a mouse with fly eyes, which I find a bit disgusting. However disgusting I may find this, I can't think other than that Gehring made a major breakthrough that advanced science.
Ch 10 Ears
Its amazing that two of the ear bones in a mammal corresponds to pieces of the jaw in reptiles. The sturctures of organisms are crazy as research is further developed. For example, finding a similarity between sharks and humans is unbelievable. Its amazing how hair is an essential part of our body when all we see is it standing limp on our head and our arms and legs. What we don't clearly see is that hair in our noses catches dust from entering our body while hair in our ear makes nerve cells send an electrical impulse to the brain just by bending. I never knew that fluid in the inner ear swishes when we accelerate. When ever I am in a rollercoaster, I will try to remember the reason why I have the feeling in my ears.
Ch 11 The Meaning of it All
Although everyone are descendents from their parents and grandparents, they are not exact replicas of their ancestors. By the seventy-fifth generation, the first generation and the seventy-fifth will not look at all related. Mutations happen and different combinations occur. Like this example, humans and this generation's organisms are descendents of the first generation's organisms even though they may not look even close to this generation. This is how Shubin was able to decrease the complications of evolution into a highly understood concept.
Your Inner Fish was a very informative book, that helped me prepare for class. It was a great book and I am very thankful that Mr. Tisor assigned us this amazing book; however, I am glad it ended. I will keep in mind of Shubin's book as I further receive infromation about evolution and about our bodies. I can truthfully agree with Nature as they reviewed that "Shubin's simple, passionate writing may turn more than a few high school students into aspiring biologist."
I never thought that extracting DNA was easy. I figured it would take a team of researchers and a well equipped lab, but Shubin proved me wrong when he said that we can extract DNA in our own kitchen, with just easily accessible ingredients such as dish wash soap, water, salt, etc.
Shubin called DNA an "extraordinarily powerful window into life's history" in the first page of the chapter, but on the next page, he called DNA goop. I was shocked and amused at the same time because i figured that this chapter will be informative and boring because of the way he described DNA the first time. I was also shocked to find out that genes involved in the sense of smell was in every cell. I thought they were only in the nasal area, but i found out that the genes in the nasal area are the only ones active. Our genes are amazing. Shubin described that "some people can detect the odor molecules in a green bell pepper at a concentration of less than one part per trillion". He compared that to "picking out one grain of sand from a mile-long beach."
Ch. 9 Vision
I loved how Shubin described humans as "a mosaic of bits and pieces found in virtually everything else on the planet." It concludes his point on evolution that we, organisms, are all parts of each other, even those in the past. Shubin's use of pictures and diagrams helped me understand the importance of each part of the eye. I found out that as eyes evolve, visual acuity increases. I did not know that vertebrates and invertebrates have different types of eyes. invertebrates have tissues that fold a couple times, while vertebrates' tissues do not fold. Its amazing that the eyeless gene by Gehring can create eyes on the antennas, legs, etc, of a fly. However,it started to get me nauseous when Gehring started to switch the eyeless gene on other organisms such as a mouse with a fly gene. This switch created a mouse with fly eyes, which I find a bit disgusting. However disgusting I may find this, I can't think other than that Gehring made a major breakthrough that advanced science.
Ch 10 Ears
Its amazing that two of the ear bones in a mammal corresponds to pieces of the jaw in reptiles. The sturctures of organisms are crazy as research is further developed. For example, finding a similarity between sharks and humans is unbelievable. Its amazing how hair is an essential part of our body when all we see is it standing limp on our head and our arms and legs. What we don't clearly see is that hair in our noses catches dust from entering our body while hair in our ear makes nerve cells send an electrical impulse to the brain just by bending. I never knew that fluid in the inner ear swishes when we accelerate. When ever I am in a rollercoaster, I will try to remember the reason why I have the feeling in my ears.
Ch 11 The Meaning of it All
Although everyone are descendents from their parents and grandparents, they are not exact replicas of their ancestors. By the seventy-fifth generation, the first generation and the seventy-fifth will not look at all related. Mutations happen and different combinations occur. Like this example, humans and this generation's organisms are descendents of the first generation's organisms even though they may not look even close to this generation. This is how Shubin was able to decrease the complications of evolution into a highly understood concept.
Your Inner Fish was a very informative book, that helped me prepare for class. It was a great book and I am very thankful that Mr. Tisor assigned us this amazing book; however, I am glad it ended. I will keep in mind of Shubin's book as I further receive infromation about evolution and about our bodies. I can truthfully agree with Nature as they reviewed that "Shubin's simple, passionate writing may turn more than a few high school students into aspiring biologist."
Chapters 8-11
Chapter 8: Making Scents
In this chapter I thought it was pretty funny when he said that extracting DNA is so easy that it can be done in the kitchen. It was interesting to learn that using meat tenderizer breaks off some of the proteins that are attatched to the DNA. It amazed me of how we can decipher the history of our senses just from DNA. I never knew we could distinguish between 10,000 scents and how our brain can process them; I honestly didn't even know that there were that many scents, its crazy! The diagram of the nasal openings, made the reading more easy to understand and to see the different kinds of nasal openings for different animals.
Chapter 9: Vision
I think it was really cool how Shubin used the analogy of cars to the history of our eyes. By reading, I learned that our eyes have many tissues, and that our eyes are our own little cameras. He shows us that vision is very important to us and that in order to understand our eyes, we must understand the structures of our eyes. It was pretty amazing learning about aniridia, and about how others lacked big portions of their faces and their eyes. This chapter taught me alot about how important our vision is and the different structures and layers that our in our eyes.
Chapter 10: Ears
This chapter got me thinking about the inner ear, that controls the nerve impulses to the brain. I honestly thought that we had fluid in our ears because of when we shower or when we go swimming, but boy was I completely off. I was really surprised to find out that there is fluid in our ear is what signals our brain that our head is tilted. Now everytime I tilt my head I think about the fluid in my ears. ! I also never knew that alcohol affected our ears, i thought alcohol played a big factor to our livers, but Shubin says that the fluid in our ears begin to swirl and that makes our brain think that we are moving; and therefore, it causes us to be dizzy. This chapter out of the other chapters really interested me the most.!
Chapter 11 : The meaning of it all
In the last chapter, Shubin pretty much sums up the whole book. This chapter connects all the chapters together and basically completes the questions and thoughts I had about our body. It was interesting on how Shubin said that "every living thing on the planet had parents". I really enjoyed about reading the family trees and the descendants of our mothers and our fathers. This chapter had its funny parts, when he showed the family tree of "bozo" and how bozo descended from someone with a big nose and floppy feet. I was really amazed to learn that the top death of humans is not by accidents but due to our genetic basis. I always knew that humans were connected to animals, and that evolution has happened millions of years ago, but by reading Shubin's book, everything became real, and more clear to me. This book as a whole was really interesting and it taught me alot about our body! :)
In this chapter I thought it was pretty funny when he said that extracting DNA is so easy that it can be done in the kitchen. It was interesting to learn that using meat tenderizer breaks off some of the proteins that are attatched to the DNA. It amazed me of how we can decipher the history of our senses just from DNA. I never knew we could distinguish between 10,000 scents and how our brain can process them; I honestly didn't even know that there were that many scents, its crazy! The diagram of the nasal openings, made the reading more easy to understand and to see the different kinds of nasal openings for different animals.
Chapter 9: Vision
I think it was really cool how Shubin used the analogy of cars to the history of our eyes. By reading, I learned that our eyes have many tissues, and that our eyes are our own little cameras. He shows us that vision is very important to us and that in order to understand our eyes, we must understand the structures of our eyes. It was pretty amazing learning about aniridia, and about how others lacked big portions of their faces and their eyes. This chapter taught me alot about how important our vision is and the different structures and layers that our in our eyes.
Chapter 10: Ears
This chapter got me thinking about the inner ear, that controls the nerve impulses to the brain. I honestly thought that we had fluid in our ears because of when we shower or when we go swimming, but boy was I completely off. I was really surprised to find out that there is fluid in our ear is what signals our brain that our head is tilted. Now everytime I tilt my head I think about the fluid in my ears. ! I also never knew that alcohol affected our ears, i thought alcohol played a big factor to our livers, but Shubin says that the fluid in our ears begin to swirl and that makes our brain think that we are moving; and therefore, it causes us to be dizzy. This chapter out of the other chapters really interested me the most.!
Chapter 11 : The meaning of it all
In the last chapter, Shubin pretty much sums up the whole book. This chapter connects all the chapters together and basically completes the questions and thoughts I had about our body. It was interesting on how Shubin said that "every living thing on the planet had parents". I really enjoyed about reading the family trees and the descendants of our mothers and our fathers. This chapter had its funny parts, when he showed the family tree of "bozo" and how bozo descended from someone with a big nose and floppy feet. I was really amazed to learn that the top death of humans is not by accidents but due to our genetic basis. I always knew that humans were connected to animals, and that evolution has happened millions of years ago, but by reading Shubin's book, everything became real, and more clear to me. This book as a whole was really interesting and it taught me alot about our body! :)
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