Grant,+D.


 * __ Post #3 __**** 01/20/17 **
 * __ Causes and Effects of chronic Stress on the Body Systems __**

__ Cotisol overload: __ Cortisol also known as the stress hormone is released in the Adrenal (survival) glands. excess cortisol directly effects your sleeping cycle because their presents prevent your body from beginning its natural process of falling asleep. Other health problems such as a short attention span, memory loss, and sudden changes in mood are all signs of stress (excess cortisol). __ stress reliving neurotransmitters: __ // RediCalm: //
 * Our electronic screens can increase the amount of cortisol in our bodies.
 * directly impacting our sleep cycle by keeping us awake for extended periods of time long after we turn off our phones for the night.
 * also increasing or susceptibility to over stressing.
 * http://www.stuttgartcitizen.com/columns/health-beat/effect-of-smartphones-on-vision-and-health-of-service-members/
 * ====The neurotransmitters Gamma-aminobutyric acid and Serotonin are our bodies stress relievers, these work by restricting the rate at which action occurs in our brain (speed bumps). Without a good supply of these stress preventives, daily struggles can linger in our thoughts causing continuous stress, anxiety, and depression.====
 * media type="youtube" key="G4r3qCkLUDQ" width="560" height="315"
 * the above video explains how the serotonin neurotransmitter imbalance and depression relate.
 * ====Recently researchers (at an FDA-certified facility in NY) have come up with a combination of compounds found in nature that have been proven to help in management of sever anxiety and stress (severe: increasingly difficult to participate in things you would excel in).====
 * (L-theanine)-amino acid found in tea-leaves extracts.

(Lemon Balm)- restricts the movement of GABA removing Enzyme.
 * ==== (Ashwagandha)- increases the effectiveness of GABA to bond to its receptors. ====
 * ==== (5-HTP)- an amino acid that is converted into serotonin. ====
 * ==== (passion Flower)- hightens the production of GABA. ====
 * ==== (passion Flower)- hightens the production of GABA. ====
 * ==== (passion Flower)- hightens the production of GABA. ====

__ sources cited: __ https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/?s=redicalm __ https://www.nutreance.com/articles/redicalm __ __ https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-adrenal-glands __ __ http://www.yourhormones.info/Glands/Adrenal_glands.aspx __ __ https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-hypothalamus __ https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/about-endocrine-system https://www.reference.com/science/nervous-system-endocrine-system-work-together-bc5f857fc9ecc5d5 http://www.clinicians.co.nz/5-htp/ __pictures cited__ __http://www.aminogenesis.com/The-Secret-Ingredient-in-Green-Tea-That-Makes-It-a-Superfood-For-Your-Skin_b_121.html__ __http://studiobotanica.com/benefits-of-lemon-balm/__

__ Further Reading __ __ https://adrenalfatiguesolution.com/stress-101/#body __ __ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201301/cortisol-why-the-stress-hormone-is-public-enemy-no-1 __ http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/how-lower-cortisol-manage-stress http://www.hormone.org/

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/?s=stress https://bebrainfit.com/natural-remedies-anxiety/

https://draxe.com/cortisol-levels/


 * Post #2 01/19/17 **
 * __ The Evolution of Domesticated Mammals (Pets) __**
 * __http://www.dogster.com/topic/working-dogs/__**
 * __http://www.louisdonald.com/the-true-back-of-the-german-shepherd-dog.html__**
 * the dog on the the right is not "pure bred"(likely not a victim of severe inbreeding)**
 * therefor he/she is less susceptible to diseases associated with**
 * small gene pools, and is physically capable of being a working dog.**
 * purebred German shepherd on the left, (viciously inbred to have this breed standard stance)**
 * will struggle with back and leg dysfunctions for the entirety of his/her life.**

As humans, we have had large impacts on the evolution of other species. Our choices in artificial selection have caused groups of organisms to evolve over short periods of time. Those changes had mostly been helpful to both parties at first; Only when we look at current pets do we see some dramatic short term changes, that are nowadays usually selfish on our part. Rather than being based on efficiency of the species, our decisions are bases on looks.

Show dog on the left (viciously inbred to have this "correct stance" they __have__ severe spine and hind leg dysfunctions), the dog on the right was likely bred for performance or rather, not for any particular reason (this dog will actually have the physical ability to function as a dog).

__ Man’s Best Friend: __ http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/mammals/gray-wolf.aspx

These cuddly, beloved, canines we all know as dogs come in many shapes and sizes, although there origin is the same. Canis lupus (the Gray Wolf) is the direct ancestor of domestic dogs.
 * It is probable that Packs of early wolves and humans had mutually beneficial relationships.
 * A skull found about (33,000) years ago indicates a slightly evolved wolf (smaller snout).

__ From wild Prey to farmed livestock: __

Before settlements and farming began, Hunting and gathering (alongside our canine companions) was humans primary source of survival. Around 7,000 BC humans first domesticated and farmed smaller animals such as, sheep/goats and pigs. 1000 or so years later was the first evidence of cattle.

__ Cats: __ Excluding Lions, most wild cats today live solitary lives; only tolerate company during mating season. Resulting in domestic cats able to benefit from humans, without losing their wild roots (domestic cats can easily adapt to being left in the wild, unlike other pets who grow to rely on us (not just for food and shelter) as leaders of their herd, pack, or flock. __ The most forgiving Species (horse): __
 * For early humans cats were likely desired for pest control. https://www.wired.com/2014/11/genes-cat-domestication/

Horses were prey like any other for ancient humans; they were depicted in artifacts (cave paintings) along with other animals around the same time as the first domestic wolf lived.
 * Despite their history, and their present situation of being trafficked mistreated and killed for unneeded food. Horses continue to forgive.
 * Wild horses evolved on their own to survive in the harshest conditions. A good example is winter when they grow a thick coat to cope with severe temperatures, and some can even enter hypo-metabolism without hibernating. They didn’t need us so, why then did they allow us to tame them in the first place?
 * perhaps hunger was the cause... Currently wild horses are being captured from the wild due to insufficient forage because of development and competition with other omnivores.
 * curiosity could have also been the reason as humans were hunting less, and developing permanent settlements sustained by livestock.
 * media type="youtube" key="sjMI_M8RUpM" width="560" height="315"
 * This video shows the domestication of horses throughout history, beginning with the oldest cave paintings.

__sources cited__ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4035985/ http://www.jyi.org/issue/our-furry-friends-the-history-of-animal-domestication/ http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab57 http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2009/03/mans_first_friend.html http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v418/n6898/full/nature01019.html http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/08/110819-dogs-wolves-russia-domestication-animals-science-evolution/ http://www.factmonster.com/dk/encyclopedia/early-farming.html __Further Reading__ http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?ParagraphID=bow

Post #1 December 2nd 2016 **__Equine Color Genetics__**



Above is a herd of four containing, two quarter horses Amy(bay) and Fancey (chestnut), a Canadian named Black Jack(black), and Chiko (paint pony). From various sources, and through the horse world I have come to understand that black and red are the two base colors of horses,(all others are enhanced/dilutions of those). in addition, chestnut horses together will always produce chestnut foals, black horses may also produce chestnut foals. Therefore, red alleles located on the “E locus” are recessive to black.

Amy: is considered to be “Bay”. Her color is due to black pigment (A locus) from what I can tell she has this gene present throughout, which is recessive to having it appear only on the legs, main, and tail. DNA test exist to determine when bays exhibiting the dominant allele/ are carriers of the recessive one. Fancey: her red color is called chestnut. Both of her parents had to be carriers of the recessive allele. Chicko: Tovero Paint. He shows signs of Overo- irregular markings, and Tobiano- light hooves, white socks (and or stockings), dark head and eyes. Note: breeding two Overo’s can result in offspring with __“Lethal White Syndrome”:__ In the showing world people breed for performance, and even coat patterns. in this case breading two horses of the same genotype for "Overo" pattern can cause a foal to be dead at birth.

The fallowing video is of horses who are said to be wild. Although, it seems the have had their fair share of human influences... these horses show little diversity in their appearance. This doesn't seen like a huge deal, except for the fact that the lady speaking says they are aiming to keep this heard pure; inbreeding is the first thought that comes to mind. What genetic problems have this species faced? what will they encounter in future generations, if their genetic diversity is further diminished? media type="youtube" key="ZbNnrcI2800" width="560" height="315" Black Jack: like many his coat fades from from the sun. In winter Black Jacks coat is intense black (almost blue), during summer he is less intense. Unlike Black, the sun will not effect some horses coats, those are referred to as Jet black/Raven. A closer look at Fancey’s tail reveals a variety of colors. A large amount of black, along with white, and red strands. Mutation? Another chestnut horse I have met is lighter than Fancey overall, Including light hooves and a tail containing no black. Reminder : Red is Recessive to black. Maybe, this is a mutation causing co-dominance? Sabino: genes responsible for Blazes, and white markings on the lower legs/belly. Scientists discovered that the “Sabina1 gene” is dominant in Tennessee Walking Horses. If horses are heterozygous for SB1 they will have the desired sabino look, if they are homozygous dominant though, they will appear almost completely white(non harmful). __Dilution genes__
 * Cream Dilution (CR): causes loss of pigment in what would be red/ brown coats. Homozygous dominant results in great dilution (almost white coat/pink skin).
 * Silver Dilution (Z): (silver dapple) only black based horses coats will be effected, and dilute to grey in some areas (dark eyes). Can lighten the main and tail of red based horses.
 * Champagne Dilution Gene(s): effects coat, skin and eyes. Horses with one of these genes are born with blue eyes, pink skin, and variations of diluted coat color.

This video of wild horses in Ireland shows a wide array of colors for such a small heard. these horses were left alone, because of this they gained genetic diversity.

media type="youtube" key="JQBESsa5Ro4" width="560" height="315" In the wild mares breed with the strongest healthiest stud who earns his place, his healthy genes produce healthy offspring. When he grows old a healthier, stronger, younger horse will come along bringing a whole new set of genes. my point is horses aren't worried about the color of their hair. when humans actively try to control/ selecting for certain mutations with regards to look, having no practical value to life in the wild, it can in many cases be harmful.

__Sources Cited__
 * http://www.horse-genetics.com/
 * https://www.uky.edu/Ag/Horsemap/hgpcoatcolor.html
 * http://www.theequinest.com/colors/markings/face/
 * http://equusmagazine.com/diseases
 * http://www.whitehorseproductions.com/equinecolor.html
 * http://www.animalgenetics.us/Equine/CCalculator1.asp
 * http://phys.org/news/2015-12-horse-genetics-camouflage-dun-pattern.html
 * https://apha.com/breed/geneticeq/