INTRODUCTION:
My project question is: has human development disabled the power of genetic mutations and natural selection or enhanced it? My aim is to understand the importance of natural selection and the impact that human development has had on it. According to The Concise Oxford Dictionary(p 334), human development is defined as the process of enlarging people’s freedom and opportunities and overall well being through various resources. I will research the effect that the progression of humans, in terms of their developments, has had on the abnormalities that have come to occur. I chose to do this topic because only in the last 5 to 10 thousand years of humans existence on the planet earth has a distinct difference in the DNA structure
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A genetic mutation, therefore, is a change in the nucleotide sequence in the gene according to Suzanne Clancy (, PhD 2008). It affects the nucleotides of a DNA molecule, and therefore affects the way in which information is carried to the cells of an organism.
Some of these mutations could have a negative impact on the way in which the human race survives and reproduces while others could be feeding the evolutionary advancement of the human race.
Natural selection is the process by which the environment favours the survival of those who are best adapted to environmental conditions and can produce the most offspring according to Prof George Branch, University of Cape Town. It involves Darwins theory that variation between different organisms leads to different advantages and disadvantages. Natural selection is one of the basic processes of evolution. Various human activities have led to environmental changes, such as global warming, that have caused populations to adapt through natural selection in order to survive.
My aim is to unpack the various genetic mutations and weather their cause is due to mankind. A clear understanding of weather human development has enhanced the power of genetic mutations and natural selection or disabled it will be achieved.
CHROMOSOMES CARRY THE GENE
According to the National Institute of Health: in the nucleus of cells there are DNA
A mutation is a random change in DNA, which makes up appearance, behavior, and physiology (every aspect of
- There are many mutations that happen naturally within DNA sequences over time. Most are minor, and have little effect upon an organism. However, some mutations actually provide species with useful adaptations that could help them evolve into more efficient species. Some mutations on a catalytic site completely alter the functioning state of a protein.
Almost ten percent of all human genes have implication in intellect function, and just a single mutation can result in a disability. Based on estimates, the occurrence of harmful mutations in the gene structure of a human is highly likely within 3000 years of modern man, and individuals may sustain two or more deleterious mutations to the intellect or emotional functions. (Crabtree, 2012)
■ Is there a cure to mutations? If so, what is the name of the cure called?:
Genetics can help answer questions about our traits and why we look different and advance in different ways from each other in the world. Chapter 1 explains the basics about how genes work, and the portrayal of DNA and RNA. Chapter 2 describes RNA more in detail and it consist of the explanation of the human genome. Specifically, Chapter 3 clarifies how evolution works and how it relates to genetic and medical research. Furthermore, Chapter 4 and 5 explains the knowledge researchers have about genes role in health and diseases, and how society is affected with the advances in medicine and science given approximate credit to these researchers.
Gene mutations are also known as point mutations and they involve changes in the structure of a gene due to the change in their chemical nature. Examples of three main mutations that occur in a gene are:
The book begins by exploring gene variations in the human genome, and finding genes that show “strong signs of selection” over the last 10,000 years or so. This is possible due to relatively recent
The process of natural selection is the reason evolution occurs, which also supports the evidences of traits that occur. And for natural selection to take effect, three elements are necessary, and variation is two of these three elements. This specific element expresses that with consideration to specific traits, individual organisms in a population are varied from one another, such as differing from reproduction, fitness, and survival. These traits can be advantages or disadvantages. For instance, an advantage can be having a higher reproductive rates which is a good quality for survival. And in the second element relating to variation, it concurs that variation is passed on from parent to child. So if the parent has traits that has higher reproduction and survival, it passed on to their offspring. And the environment itself is the critical mechanism.The environment impacts which traits
Natural selection is survival of the fittest. For example, a species that has stronger traits will use those traits to survive and when they eventually reproduce, they produce offspring that contains those traits (Kahn). The species with weaker traits may have more trouble surviving and therefore may die before reproduction. If the weaker species manages to survive, they still may not be strong enough to complete the process of producing offspring (Kahn). This means that traits that are stronger and better reproduced will be more evident in generations to come. Every living organism faces natural selection, including the human body.
A mutation is a change made to the sequence of a base in the DNA. This change occurs mainly in the chromosomes or nucleotides; however, mutations that occur in a egg or sperm cell are the cause of generic variation. This mutation can be inherited by offspring.
Since the invasion of the western culture on the rest of the world, a new standard of science has emerged. This new breed of scientist digs for answers wherever he/she thinks that they may be found, with no compassion for the environment around them or the outcome of those actions. The modern day scientist seems to have a problem with accepting nature for the way it is and instead, is trying to constantly rearrange it for the proclaimed reason of, the good of man. DNA research began over twenty years ago because, mankind has always had a lust for how we work and operate. DNA, it was found, seemed to be the blueprint for how the human genetic structure worked and operated. This was where science obviously needed to be headed as it was after all, the possible key to all of mankind’s questions of itself. Some years after, the massive project began known as the Human Genome Project. The project began with the promise of, in the end, being able to figure out the cause of almost every human malfunction and the cure for it (Thomas, p 51).
Did you know that there are hundreds of cool genetic mutations that you may not know about? Genetic mutations are permanent alterations of the nucleotide sequence of the genome (an organism 's complete set of DNA) of an organism, virus, or extrachromosomal DNA or other genetic elements. Genetic mutations can be good, there are all sorts of genetic mutations that can be good, it is as simple as the color of your eye or as complex as having a sprinting “superpower”. This also includes having the ability to see more colors than the average human eye, or being able to taste more than what is considered normal. There are people that may argue that all genetic mutations are harmful. Dr.David stated that “To summarize, recent research has
The world of genomes is more similar to the art of coding, than many may believe. For starters, they both share the ability of creating information that does an overwhelmingly important role in fabricating and supporting the final project - which in a genetical case is all living organisms. The complex code of genetics has been a pivoting factor in countless research done by scientists, as it is the literal makeup of each and every living organism, each unique in their own way. Research in genetics has been around for more than 150 years, and although the study is something relatively old and a seemingly immaculate process, there are cases where the result is not always as one would hope. Unfortunately, if a mutation occurs in the
Genetic mutations are lifelong variances in DNA sequences. The majority of disease-causing gene mutations are unusual in the overall population. The two major classifications of gene mutations are germinal and somatic mutations. Germinal mutations are immediately inherited from a parent, and they will affect every single cell. If the DNA from the sperm or egg cell contains a mutation, the resulting fertilized egg also inherits the mutation. Somatic mutations occur by environmental factors or when an error appears during DNA replication. Unlike germinal mutations, a somatic mutation only affects the mutated cells. Mutations typically have a negative connotation; however, they are not always harmful,
The study of genetics includes not only the study of normal DNA, but also of the mutations within a DNA. A mutation is a slightly distorted gene. These mutations can have an effect on a person, both physically and mentally. Although genetics may seem to be just about the genes, scientists are beginning to see a connection between gender and genetic mutations.