Kristen+B.

//__**The warrior gene- body systems**__//

In psychology I learned about something called the warrior gene. Scientists can now predict whether someone was born to be violent or not. The warrior gene is the shortening of the MAOA ( monoamine oxidase) gene.Which basically means you are more prone to violence. I was really intrigued by this topic because it talks a lot about brain chemistry and how your brain reacts to certain situations. Although only a small percentage of the population has this gene, some say that now that they know they have it they understand themselves more

I chose these photos because the first one shows the shortening of the gene in a strand of DNA. Which is cool because if one little thing changes then your whole genetic make up can be changed. I chose this photo because it shows Henry Rollins. He grew up with abusive parents and he did not have a very nice life. He believed that he had the gene. He was very quick to violence and fighting. In his teen years he joined a band called black flag. Where he was purposely putting himself in dangerous situations. He did a documentary with Nat Geo Wild called Inside the Warrior Gene: Born to Rage. Where he went around the world and looked at gang members, fighters, bikers and lastly monks. He analyzed their pasts and took swabs from their cheeks and sent them to be tested for the warrior gen. Now surprisingly only 3 out of the 6 bikers had the gene. And all three monks had it. Now this goes to show that it isn't always just the environment you grow up in. This picture shows a regular gene strand without the shortening of the maoa

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Further reading: -[|two genes linked with violent crimes] -[|the warrior gene predicts agressive behavior] -[|Are you a warrior?] - [|does the human warrior gene make you more prone to violence?]

Links [|youtube] [|normal dna strand] [|photo warrior gene] [|warrior gene]

=**The evolution of dogs**=

I decided to chose the subject of dogs. Because I had a pure-bred black lab. Who passed away much younger than she should have. In class when we talked about the pedigree charts and how bad interbreeding between animals was it never sunk in until we watched the video. Seeing that video made me want to research pedigree dogs more. Some of the breeds that are most affected by pure-breeding is labs, retrievers and pugs



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further readings: http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/articles/purebred-dogs.html http://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_purebred_dogs_complications http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/although-purebred-dogs-can-be-best-in-show-are-they-worst-in-health/ http://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org/blog/health-of-purebred-vs-mixed-breed-dogs-the-data

References http://www.louisdonald.com/uploads/2/7/3/7/27379747/8062495_orig.jpg http://www.darwindogs.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/selective-dog-breeding-6.jpg


 * Genetics- Inheritance of blue eyes**

I chose this topic because its something I can personally relate to, Also in class we talked about the Dominant and Recessive genes in your body. Theses are basically the building blocks of you. This was really interesting to me because I always wonder why I had blue eyes and blond hair.

In the punnett square it shows the possibility of a person having blue eyes. So for example my mother has brown eyes and I have blue eyes. So in order for me to have blue eyes I have to be "bb" both recessive.

This photo shows the transition from a blue eye to a brown eye I chose this photo shows a pure blue eyed person I chose this photo to show that animals can also have different eye colors that are split.

Further readings [|http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-does-someone-get-two/] [|http://www.livescience.com/13564-babies-eyes-start-blue-change-color.html] [|http://www.littlethings.com/eye-color-personality/] [|http://www.stromamedical.com/page/about-us]