Emma+B.

//__WikiPost#5 - Reproductive System__//

Infertility
The definition of infertility is; the state of being unable to produce offspring; in a women it is the inability to conceive and in men it is the inability to impregnate. Recently studies have shown that infertility in Canada is more common than many may think, 11.5% to 15.7% of Canadian couples experience infertility.

**Male Infertility:** There are many causes that contribute to male infertility, such as hormonal imbalances, physical problems and psychological problems. the most common reason for male infertility is due to testicular damage, which discourages the production of sperm. Once the damage is done it is rare for the testicle to be able to produce sperm anymore. The second most common cause of male infertility is that the sperm produced is either poor quality or there is very little to no sperm production. An unhealthy lifestyle will also affect the mans sperm, a man with a healthy lifestyle is more likely to have healthy sperm than a man who lives unhealthily. Some negative impacts on fertility are: -Smoking - decreases sperm count and their motility -Use of Marijuana over long periods of time -Alcoholism -Use of Anabolic steroids - causes infertility through testicular shrinkage -Repeated Overly Intense Exercise - causes the release of the adrenal hormone within the body which lead to testosterone deficiency -Malnutrition and not getting enough of certain Vitamins -Tight-Underwear - increase temperature of the scrotum which decreases production of sperm -Exposure to toxins such as lead, paint, radiation, mercury, benzene and boron -Stress

Hormonal problems are another cause of infertility, although the contributions to infertility from hormonal issues is slight they do still have an affect. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which are part of the endocrine system, regulate the hormonal events that lead to the production of sperm. There are many times in this process in which things can go awry; such as: · The brain can fail to release gonadotrophic-releasing hormone (GnRH) properly. GnRH aids with testosterone synthesis and sperm production. · The pituitary can fail to produce enough lutenizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate the testes and testosterone/sperm production. · The testes’ Leydig cells may not produce testosterone in response to LH stimulation. · A male may produce other hormones and chemical compounds which interfere with the sex-hormone balance.



There are certain hormonal diseases that are known to be linked to infertility in men. They are hyperprolactinemia, hyperthyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypogonadotropic hypopituitarianism, and finally panhypopituitafism. The physical problems tend to either interfere with the sperm production process or disrupt the pathway down which sperm travel from the testes to the tip of the penis. These problems are usually characterized by a low sperm count and/or abnormal sperm morphology. Variocoele, damaged sperm ducts, torsion, infections and disease, klinefelter's syndrome, and retrograde ejaculation are all types of physical problems that are sometimes seen when a male is infertile.

Lastly, psychological and behavioural problems are the final factor that contribute to infertility. Problems that have connections between infertility and psychological problems are erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and ejaculatory incompetence. Most disorders affecting sperm quality and production either cannot be cured or do not respond well to treatment. However, assisted conception techniques, including use of donated sperm, can help affected couples achieve a successful pregnancy, even if there are very severe sperm production problems. Treatment options are available for less severe cases.   media type="youtube" key="wbRylrvvq40" width="560" height="315" align="center"   References: http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=infertility http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/channel_health_features_details.asp?health_feature_id=695&article_id=1698&channel_id=2048&relation_id=109615 http://www.stanford.edu/class/siw198q/websites/reprotech/New%20Ways%20of%20Making%20Babies/causemal.htm http://library.med.utah.edu/kw/human_reprod/seminars/seminar2A.html

Further Readings: http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/infertility/report/caretoproceed.aspx http://geekymedics.com/2011/05/18/the-menstrual-cycle/ http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/menshealth/facts/malefertility.htm http://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/infertility_in_men/causes.html

//__WikiPost#4 - Nervous System__// Alzheimer's Disease The most common form of, a neurologic disease characterized by loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, not present from birth. Alzheimer's usually occurs in old age, and is marked by a decline in cognitive functions such as remembering, reasoning, and planning. Alzheimer's Disease also known as AD affects the entire brain. It leads to the death of nerve cells and tissue loss all throughout the brain. Over time, the symptoms cause dramatic shrinkage of the brain, this affects nearly all of its functions. These three images compare a healthy brain to a brain with Alzheimer's.

In the Alzheimer's brain the cortex has shrivelled up, which has caused damage to the areas involved with thinking, planning and remembering. The hippocampus is the section of the cortex that plays a key role in the formation of new memories, this area suffers from severe shrinkage. The fluid filled spaces within the brain called ventricles, grow larger. When looking under a micro scope scientists are able to see the damage that is done to the brain tissue. A brain with Alzheimer's will have many fewer nerve cells and synapse than a healthy brain. Abnormal clusters of protein fragments called plaques, build up between nerve cells. The nerve cells that are already dead or are in the process of dying contain tangles, which are made up of twisted strands of proteins. Tangles and plaques are the prime suspect for the death of the nerve cells. The plaques form when pieces of proteins called beta-amyloid clump together forming a mass. Beta-amyloid's come from a larger protein that is found in the membranes surrounding nerve cells. One characteristic of beta-amyloid is that it is sticky, this is why they tend to clump together. The tangles destroy a vital cell transport system made of proteins. In the healthy areas the transport system is organized by parallel strands, important materials such as food molecules travel through here. A protein called "tau" helps the tracks stay straight. In the areas where tangles are forming the protein "tau" collapses into twisted strands, forming the tangles. The tracks of the transport system can no longer stay straight, they fall apart and disintegrate. This means that nutrients and other essentials can no longer move through the cells, which will eventually die.



The rate of progression for the disease varies with each patient. People with Alzheimer's live an average of 8 years, but can live up to 20. There are three stages to Alzheimer's Disease, first stage is called Earliest or Early Alzheimer's. In this stage it is normally to early to detect with current tests, however plaques and tangles begin to form in the brain areas involved in learning, memory, thinking and planning. The second stage is called Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's. In this stage, brain regions involved with memory, thinking and planning develop more plaques and tangles. This causes patients to develop problems with memory or thinking, this can be serious enough to interfere with work and their social lives. Another symptom is getting confused, having trouble handling money, expressing themselves and organizing their thoughts. Alzheimer's is most commonly diagnosed in this stage. Plaques and tangles also spread to areas involving speaking and understand speech. This is the stage where many begin to forget their family members and personalities start to change. The third and final stage is Severe Alzheimer's. During the final stage most of the cortex is severely damaged. The brain has shrunk dramatically due to widespread cell death. The patients have lost their ability to communicate, to recognize family and loved ones, and to care for themselves.

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References: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Alzheimer's+disease http://www.alz.org/braintour/alzheimers_changes.asp https://thelongestday.alz.org/?utm_source=alz.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=alz-little-big-page-action-button http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/whataregd/alzheimers/

Further Readings: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/alzheimers-disease-stages http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-disease/DS00161

=//__WikiPost#3 - Evolution__//=

//Evolution of the Vehicle//
The types of vehicles we currently have were not invented by one person in a single day. It was a very long process, taking many of years to achieve what we now know as our vehicles, whether it is a truck, car or SUV. This evolution took place worldwide. The first self-propelled car was created in January of 1769. This steam-powered vehicle was created by a French Military Engineer. It moved in a revolving motion making it able to run on its own. The electric carriage made by Robert Anderson in 1832 was the first fully electrical carriage made. The carriage was powered by non-rechargeble primary cells. The idea for the gas-fueled car was patent first by Karl Friedrich Benz in 1886. The car was to hold two passengers and run on three wheels. The car was powered by an internal combustions engine.



The Ford Motor Company first formed in 1903 and in 1927 they were the worlds largest car manufacturer. They could build a car in 93 minutes.

In 1911 a man named Charles Kettering, a worker for the company Cadillac, invented the first electric ignition and start motor. Allowing cars to now start themselves.

Cars began going green in 1997 when the car manufacturers first realized that our oil resources would eventually dry up. This is when they invented the Hybrid engines that use more than one fuel source to run. Most recently in 2008 cars began getting smaller and more fuel efficient as the price of gas just continued to rise and car sales died way off. As we see the evolution of cars has made immense changes in the way we ourselves live today. Without the improvements we have had we would be even closer to losing our oil resources and cars being much less safe, causing more deaths per accident. Many things have evolved over time but the car is one that has affected all humans in one way or another.

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References: @http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/Car_History.htm [] [] []

Further Readings: []

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=//__WikiPost #2 - Genetics__//=

//Personality, inherited or learned?//
There has been many debates about whether our personality is based on nature or nurture, in other words are we born with our personalities in our genes or do we shape our personality around our upbringing. Our personality is the combination of characteristics or qualities that form our distinctive character. Recently there have been many studies surrounding this topic and most prove that it is in fact our inherited genes that affect our personality the most.

When many people hear that our personalities are based on our genes they tend to want to argue this fact. They don't believe it because they say they are nothing like their parents or siblings. The genes we have inherited are from our parents, however they are not our parents identical genes they are a unique mixture of the homologous sets. Your personality may not be identical to your parents but it is based off of their genes added together.

The Formation of a Zygote

The studies that have been done have been using identical and fraternal twins.The reason for this is because identical twins are exactly what it sounds like they are genetically identical and most times are raised in the same type of environment. The researchers are most interested in identical twins that were separated at birth because they would be raised different ways with different morals and beliefs installed into them. They have reunited many twins and have studied their behaviours and ran tests to determine their personalities. From all of the cases they have been able to conclude that the identical twins who were separated at birth still show many of the same personality traits, linking personality heavily to genes.

Formation of Twins

During the studies identical twins were found to twice as likely share the same personality traits as fraternal twins. Genetics seemed to be mostly influential on people's sense of self-control and also affected their learning and social abilities. Although for the longest time psychologists believed it was environmental aspects in which affected our personality the greatest we now have the research to prove them wrong and to distinguish that our genes are the largest influence. ISFJ  I ntrovert(11%) S ensing(1%) F eeling(50%) J udging(44%) Image Showing my Personality Type (I took a test)

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References: [] [] [] []

Further Readings: [] [] [] []

=__//WikiPost #1 - Genetics//__=

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I'm sure there has been a time in all of our lives where we wished we were in better shape, or at least looked like we were. Wouldn't it be great to not have to do all the hard work to get the muscle. Well if you have a mutation of myostatin in your genes your lucky enough to not have to work as hard. Myostatin is normally a protein that limits muscle growth, it does this by limiting the development of muscle stem cells, which are cells responsible for differentiating into other muscle cells. However, when you have a defect of myostatin it causes doubling of the mass, making you look very buff.=====



Wendy the Double Muscled Whippet=====

Wendy is regularly sized in every other aspect of her body besides her muscle mass. Her head, heart, lungs and legs are all average sized for the normal whippet. Wendy is a very strong dog as you can see, she has bulging neck muscles, massive shoulders, and a twenty-four pack. I'm sure many people will look at this and say they want this mutation, but sadly because of the defect Wendy's life expectancy is much shorter than that of a healthy whippet. These double muscled dogs carry two copies of the two base-pair deletion in the third exon of the myostatin gene, this then leads to an early stop codon at amino acid 313.

The differences between normal, one mutation, and two mutations.

Dogs with only one mutation called heterozygotes, are more muscular than the normal whippets. These dogs have a much higher athletic ability, which is a major benefit to them during racing competitions. Dogs with two copies of mutation called mutant homozygotes, have been given the nickname "bully" whippets. These are the immensely muscular dogs that are not able to race. The "bully" whippets seem to have many more health problems than that of the heterozygotes. They endure the pain of muscle cramps in their shoulders and thigh muscles and usually suffer from a projecting jaw.

Mutated Whippet Dogs Racing The whippets with only the one mutation of myostatin have been proven to be faster than a normal whippet. Because of this reason scientists believe that humans will try to produce a performance enhancing polymorphism to be used in competitive athletics. Although the whippet is not the only animal that already experiences this type of mutation. Other species such as cattle, chickens and mice have experienced the same mutation.  Cow With Mutated Myostatin Gene Here is the link to a video about Wendy the whippet. [] <span style="color: #4c4c4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">media type="youtube" key="5ia5zdfoou0" height="315" width="420" <span style="color: #4c4c4c; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"> @http://itthing.com/weird-and-wonderful-animals http://www.genomia.cz/en/test/bully_whippet @http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-myostatin.htm @http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1877876/