Understanding DNA

By Garik Tate
A lot of people assume that every cell in our body does possess human DNA. However closer research has shown us that only about a 3rd of the cells that are in our body has our DNA. The other 2 thirds are bacteria and blood cells (both are substantially smaller cells than the others that make up the human anatomy). But of course this doesn't mean that DNA is any less important. I just thought it was something a lot of people didn't know.

Most of the DNA is stored within the nucleus (the HQ of the cell). The nucleus is a membrane enclosed organelle (the organs of the cell). Most of the mass of the nucleus isn't the DNA itself but rather double membrane that wraps around it (called the nuclear envelope). The nucleus also has things called nuclear pores which allow movement of RNA and various molecules across the envelope.

Many people refer to DNA as the book of life. Sounds like something that you would want to check out at the library right? Well I tried reading it and surprisingly it's not quite as intriguing of a read as you might think. The reason is it only has 4 letters. C (Cytosine), G (Guanine), T (Thymine), and A (Adenine). Yet somehow with such a small alphabet the book of life has more words packed in it then you would think.

These 4 letters are called bases. One type of base can only stick to another base. An Adenine can only match up with a Thymine while a Cytosine can only link up with a Guanine. The bases hook up nucleotides together (a nucleotide is just a sugars and phosphates).

Though a nucleus does contain most of the DNA in a cell. It does not contain all of it. The rest of the DNA within a cell is held in the mitochondria. The mitochondria is seen by me to be like the muscles of the cell. Though technically they do not move the cell they are the powerhouse behind the cell. It is their job to breakdown carbohydrates like glucose into highly energized molecules.

A chromosome is a long DNA molecule (maybe not too long because each one of your cells has around 23 of them and you have trillions of cells in you). It contains hundreds or maybe even thousands of genes. It also has special protein molecules that allow it to maintain its structure.

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Understanding RNA

By Garik Tate
Everybody knows a little bit about DNA. Everybody has seen a diagram of it and they know how important it is. Thing is not everybody knows about its cousin RNA. RNA is just as important as DNA because without RNA, DNA wouldn't be able to do anything. RNA stands for Ribonucleic acid unlike DNA which stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid. The difference in name just says that DNA lacks an oxygen one oxygen atom over RNA. But of course there are more differences than that.

First if you have seen a diagram of DNA then you will know it looks like a twisting ladder. RNA looks like DNA except its cut down the middle. So it looks like a spiraling thread with bases sticking out towards the center. The spiral like DNA is made out of sugar and phosphate. Another difference is where the 4 letters of DNA is A G C and T the 4 letters that are in RNA are A G C and U. The U is a variation of Thymine (T) known as Uracil.

RNA is created by a process known as transcribing. The process of transcribing happens in 4 steps. The first step is when the DNA "unzips" as there bonds break. The second step is when the free nucleotides (the spiral's) that will become the RNA pair up with complementary DNA bases. The third step happens when the spirals take shape from the sugar and phosphate and becomes the backbone. Then the fourth step is when the untwisted bonds that happen between the RNA and the unzipped DNA ladder break. At which point the newly formed RNA leaves through the nuclear pores. At which point it does its job out in the cytoplasm.

There is more than one type of RNA. The first type is mRNA (messenger RNA). mRNA is the type of RNA you probably think about when you think of RNA. The job of mRNA is to go to the ribosomes of a cell with a genetic message imprinted into it to tell the ribosomes to create various proteins. Then there is the none-coding RNA called ncRNA. This type of RNA is not encoded by DNA but rather other RNA. The third type of RNA is called Transfer-Message RNA (tmRNA) tmRNA is used by certain bacteria and viruses.

The main function of RNA is to giver messages to ribosomes to create various proteins. Ribosomes are like factories providing the proteins necessary in a cell. Ribosomes can be found in to places either floating in the cytoplasm or found in the ER (and I'm not talking about the emergency room).

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Colors Are Part of Who We Are!

By Lance Winslow
Okay so, you've come to this article to read about color, and how it affects us in so many ways. Well then, let's discuss this. You see, recently I was having a similar dialogue and I thought I'd share a bit of it with you as it is rather fascinating. Think for a moment about emotion, color, and how what you see makes your mood shift, and how that can be a positive thing, or a negative thing depending on the situation.

Anyway, while theorizing on all the aspects of color, an acquaintance of mine stated a rather true-to-the-point comment; "The choice of Color, interestingly enough, colors affecting mind and body, they are a tool, weapon, and shield in so many ways." He is right isn't he? Sure he is and so, here are some of my thoughts on this.

Yes, I written on camouflage, animal mating colors, branding, and marketing, you name it. One of the books in front of me at my desk is; "The Power of Color" by Faber Birren - and here is an interesting thought for you today; If emotion was a color and time didn't exist, the most color people of all would be the ones which lived the full-range - joy and laughter, pain and sorrow - and they'd be the most beautiful of all. Another reason to live life to the fullest and don't miss anything. Live the full spectrum and range!

Now then there is a very good article I'd like to recommend to you. It was in DigiKey TechZone Magazine November 2010 issue, titled; "Lighting's Color Science" by Armando Roggio, Electronic Products. The article describes LED color lighting and how the human eye sees it, that is to say how the eye senses the radiation of the LED light within the human visual spectrum and then how that is applied to the science of colored lighting for LED light manufacturers.

If we change the frequency, it is interpreted differently by the brain through our sensors called eyes, indeed, we are not evolved necessarily for LED light, as those spectrums are unfamiliar to us in nature. Yes, they do exist, but not like our created high-tech toys and devices which give off these spectrums. Does that matter? Everything matters when it come to light and color my friend - it all matters.

Thus, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this topic. So, please email me if you have any, and please consider all this okay?

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The Placebo Effect or Not?

By Lance Winslow
Okay so, when they give clinical trials to test a new drug, we know that they give people who have serious ailments the new drug, and then a group of people the placebo. Then they study the difference between the individuals to see if they work or not. That seems like a nice way to do human trials for a new drug, however what is in the placebo, does affect the outcome of the results.

Nevertheless, what's in the placebo generally is not known, nor is it normally reported in the research papers. But I would submit to you that there is no such thing is zero, if there is something the placebo is made out of, and therefore we need to know what's in the pill, and what compounds it consists of.

There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal posted on October 28, 2010 titled; "Hey, What's in That Placebo?" and it spoke of a recent research paper titled; "What's in Placebos: Who Knows? Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials," by B.A. Colomb, LC Erickson, S. Kopershi, D Sack, M Enkin, and J. Howick, which was published in the Journal of Internal Medicine in October.

Now then, I'd like you to go look this research up and then come back to this article, as I think we need to talk about this, and perhaps suggest some serious changes to the over all process of clinical human trials for pharmaceuticals.

Perhaps, we can figure out a different way to do this, because as it stands we may be cheating ourselves out of the scientific research and results which we seek. And yes, it does matter, because these are human trials, involving real human beings, and we shouldn't waste their volunteer efforts. Likewise, the results we get are quite important and we need to make sure that the drugs we test will work in the real world, otherwise we are dealing with falsely manipulated data. Please consider all this.

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Buying Nine Pterodactyls - The B9P Theory

By Lance Winslow
We all saw the movie Jurassic Park, and it does make you think about the potential to revive lost species. Still, it may not be so easy to resurrect dinosaurs. Oh sure, scientists will eventually find a way to synthesize these life forms based on the DNA plans from samples, but also realize that their food supply containing all their nutritional needs must be created as well, which may be harmful to us. Not to mention the chance of being eaten too?

You see, it's also been a long time since their food supply has lived on Earth. The plants and other animals they ate, thus the much needed bacteria for their guts, and all the substances that made the species viable. Those items that the dinosaurs had adapted and evolved with are also gone, long gone as well. Therefore creating the dinosaur would actually be easier than keeping it alive, unless - let me explain a theory I have, in resurrecting a Dinosaur Bird Species, Large Reptile, or a Woolly Mammoth.

First, off all the humans living on the planet seem to be able to be traced back to seven women. Okay, so, if we resurrect a dinosaur species, we need at least seven females, and preferably no less than two vibrant males. Theoretically, if this is done correctly without outside intervention, we should be able to allow the species to grow and expand its population on its own. Consider if you will the work done by the California Condor Project.

Second, consider dinosaur species which are very similar to our present species. Whales, Sharks, Reptiles, Elephants, Tigers, and Large Birds of Prey - these species are with us today and they are indeed similar to several Dinosaur species - after all they even look prehistoric at times. Like the Saber Toothed Tigers, Pterodactyls, Wooly Mammoths, Megalodons, etc. And if we look at Polar Bears, Alligators, Condors, etc - well they are very similar in this regard to perhaps their dinosaur ancestors. So, it would make sense we would want to start with those, if we decided to resurrect those species.

In fact, there was an interesting article in Terra Daily - News About the Planet" online titled; "Engineer Provides New Insight Into Pterodactyl Flight," written by staff writers in Bristol, UK and post online on November 26, 2010.

Now then, we'd need basically 9 pterodactyls to do this, so we'd need to create nine to start. Then find a decent habitat with similar food to what they would want to eat. It is said that they were reptilian flying species, not exactly like the birds of today, but we know enough about how birds of prey hunt, and what they might eat to make a go of it. Call this the B9-Plan (B9P). And sign me up to buy 9 - pterodactyls.

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Are Spiders in Hospitals, Gyms, and Public Bathrooms Superbug Vectors?

By Lance Winslow
Not long ago, I talked to a gentleman whose wife contracted MRSA and almost died. He also explained to me that she had gotten bitten by a spider, and her skin broke out in a rash and as she scratched it, it opened sores, and then she contracted MRSA. This got me thinking that perhaps the spider itself was the vector. No, there's no way to prove it now, but it would make complete sense.

So I ask, are spiders in Hospitals, Gyms, and public bathrooms superbug vectors? They very well could be after all is MRSA could be lurking anywhere in the cracks or crevices of a building which is not cleaned properly and that's where spiders are, that's where they live, and although in some regards they are good because they eat other bugs, they can cause problems, they may in and of themselves be one of the problems.

We know that mosquitoes carry malaria and they are the virus vector. And we also know that other animals and rodents carry bacteria, which is harmful to humans. We know that the bubonic plague was spread in part by rats. Therefore, it would not be too far a stretch of the imagination to question the theory that spiders are a superbug vector, or one of many, and so we need to watch out for that perhaps.

We have to worry about flesh eating bacteria, superbugs, dangerous viruses, and MRSA. Today between 250,000 and 400,000 people are killed every day from MRSA contracted in places like hospitals, Gyms, school locker rooms, and bathrooms in public places in the US alone. This is quite a scary thought and one which we need to be diligent about in solving. First we need more information.

Therefore it is my contention that we should ask the spiders what they know about MRSA. Indeed it is my contention that you please consider this, and then we can get to the bottom of whether we can prove or disprove this theory, because it may be an important clue. Please think on this.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic.

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Bigger Animals Evolved to Have Bigger Brains to Remember Where All the Food Might Be

By Lance Winslow
The bigger the animal, obviously the more food it needs to sustain itself. And since there are seasonality and different events, and larger animal has to know where to get that food, where it is in abundance, and the best way to make sure it's available. For this the larger animal will need a bigger brain, and a good memory. Now then, I ask you; is this why an elephant has such a good memory, and such a large brain? Is it the same for humans, is that why we've developed a big brain?

How about predatory birds they seem to have larger brains than all the other birds and they also eat a lot more, and they have to be cunning, and hunt. All that takes a greater cognitive ability, and therefore they need a better brain. Would it stand to reason that most larger animals have bigger brains, yes, evolutionarily speaking this would make sense. In practice is this the case? It appears to be, as most larger animals do have bigger brains, but not all of them.

Perhaps the larger animals, which have an abundance food supply don't necessarily need a bigger brain. And perhaps domesticated animals which are fed generation after generation as pets by humans don't need a bigger brain either. Does this observation and theory hold true also? Yes, actually it does. Wild cats and dogs have bigger brains than their domestic partners that we breed and feed.

There have been several theories all along this line of thinking, and it makes sense from an evolutionary, biological, and practical standpoint. Large animals with small brains are reliant on an abundance and ever available food supply. If that food supply ever vanishes, chances are the animals will as well. It is important to observe nature to get a better understanding of the world we live in. Perhaps you have theories that you've thought of, or things that you would like to debate or discuss. If so perhaps you might e-mail me. And as for this particular theory, I hope you will please consider it.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic.

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A Biology Topic You've Never Considered - Life Spans and Laughter - Why Do Comedians Die Young?

By Lance Winslow
They say that laughter is good for the soul, and people with a good sense of humor last longer, that is to say they live longer, able to laugh their way through hardships. Well, is it true? There seems to be a difference between sarcasm, and humor, and it is a big difference.

Someone who is jaded in life, perhaps due to previous hardships, and somewhat cynical in many regards, probably let's a lot of negative things effect their personality, and this will probably affect their immune system, although no one knows for sure. Worse, there is no empirical evidence of what I am about to suggest.

Okay so, have you noticed that some of the top comedians never seem to live into old age, and only a few of them have - folks like George Burns and Bob Hope. But most of the modern-day comedians die well before their time. Why is that?

This is not a biology topic that you can find anywhere, and you can go to Google scholar and there are no research reports on this. And even though conventional wisdom, and urban myth seems to indicate that people who have a good since the humor live longer, which may be true - it cannot be proved, and there are far too many examples of just the opposite.

Still, we know from the best comedians, that they don't often live into old age. Is it due to their negativity - they have to find negative things to make light of for their routines? Is it due to the type of comedy? Is it due to the stress of entertaining on stage? Is it due to the fact that they are constantly making fun of other people, and maybe other people are sending them back negative vibes?

Is it because they feel like everyone likes them only because they are funny, and not for who they are - imposter phenomena? Is it because they are somewhat manic depressed underneath all that, and they've created their humor as a shield or as an appearance of being happy?

Do they spend their lives making other people laugh, because their lives are dismal, or they feel inadequate or depressed? We know depression isn't good for longevity in life, in any case, this needs to be explored further. And I hope you will please consider this biology topic.

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