Kristen+M.


 * __ Wikipost #3 __**

=(and it's effects on the brain and the body)=

What is Molly you may ask? Molly is a slang term for a common drug that's been around for ages commonly known as “Ecstasy” and "Molly" are slang terms for MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. It has effects similar to those of other stimulants; even when that’s not the case, and frequently used as a party or club drug. MDMA is man-made; it doesn't come from a plant like marijuana; other chemicals or substances are usually added which makes its purity and danger levels rise.

On the body:
Molly can cause a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, blood vessel constriction and sweating, and can prevent the body from regulating temperature. Some of the chemicals have been reported to cause intense, prolonged panic attacks, psychosis and seizures.After they wear off, the chemicals can cause devastating depression. Several of these compounds have caused deaths. Since there are so many types and different compounds and variations however, it is hard to estimate the symptoms for each and the reactions.



On the brain:
Dopamine- Deemed essential for the survival of living organisms of today, dopamine plays a large hand in ones attentiveness, motivation, motility, learning, conscious and unconscious memorization skills. Furthermore, it is a large factor in identifying natural rewards for the brain. All synthetic substances are believed to trigger dependencies which result in the release of dopamine in specific areas of the brain.

Different substances take different effects. Certain substances take the place of natural neuromediators and essentially imitate their receptors, such as Morphine. Whereas substances such as cocaine mainly increases the amount of dopamine found in the synapses. However ecstasy, otherwise known as MDMA or Molly increases the amount of serotonin(mainly known to be attributed to feelings of well being and happiness).



MDMA is a well known synthetic drug. Commonly used in attempts to maintain energy for long amounts of time during the club/party scenes. It is a synthetic drug which acts as a stimulant as well as a hallucinogen due to it's molecular structure. MDMA blocks the reuptake pumps for a multitude of neurotransmitters which leads to an increase in the gap of the synapses. As dopamine is released into the reward center, causing harmful addictive possibilities, excess serotonin leads to stimulation of the dopaminergic neurons.

As the initial effects of ecstasy begin to take effect, an increased release of serotonin causes an increase in energy, complete euphoria, and an suppression of certain inhibitions. Although as these serotonin levels begin to decrease coupled with the lack of activity of the trytophane hydroxylase(enzyme which synthesizes serotonin) there is an increase in the level of neurotransmitters causing negative feedback on said enzyme which ultimately leads to the this excess becoming a shortage.



This video demonstrates the dangers of Molly and its history as a club drug and how it is becoming increasingly popular with the sweet name "Molly" that singers like Miley Cyrus mention in their songs.

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to learn more: 9 things everyone should know about molly: [] a drug website that communicates directly to teens the affects of molly: [] more info on how molly affects the body: [] how Molly is becoming increasingly popular at music festivals and clubs []


 * __ Wikipost #2 __**


 * __ Evolution of Insects __**

A large majority of the earliest arthropods to step foot on land as well as take the first breaths of air were insects that we have come to know today as scorpions, centipedes, and millipedes. The first evidence of these were thought to date back as much as 400 million years ago. Furthermore, the eldest insect fossils date back to the Carboniferous periods and exhibit extended "limbs" assumed to be the early makings of wings along with other advanced features which alone suggest 10's of millions of years of evolution before the Carboniferous period.

As proven, each change of a characteristic is beneficial in some way to the organism evolving, insects have adapted severely to lengthen life spans between their morphological, ecological and behavioural adaptations. Simply put, a few of these specializations would be –Wings, Folding Wings –Exoskeleton, Mouthparts (adjustability), added Legs –Smaller size in a heterogeneous habitat –Associations with flowering plants (pollinating) –Host-parasite, parasitoid/predator relationships –Habitat specialists –Social behavior (Co-existing)

To elaborate, the exoskeleton of certain insects have become waterproof to allow easier feeding (larger surfaces to explore) as well as transportation. They have also become more durable to assure protection against predators. Femur's have became larger as well for jumping, more shovel-like for digging, and have gained added paddles for swimming.

One of the largest advancement for insects to date is the development of wings. Thought to be developed early on throughout the carboniferous periods, multiple theories have been established as to how the wing initially developed, one theory implies that wings evolved by a modification of limbs that were already present and at some point were likely to function as gills. The second proposes that wings simply rose as their own limb from the body as an adaptation to survive from predators and were in fact not directly attached to other pre-existing limbs.



This expression patterns shows the hypothesis that insect wings evolved from gill-like appendages that were previously existent in their aquatic ancestors.

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A large part of the evolution of insects involves their association with flowering plants, ranging from pollination to forming habitats. Certain insects have been thought of modern day architects, being able to form habitats that are necessary for survival appear spontaneously. These insects such as wood/root-boring, flower/seed-boring and gall-forming have each adapted to their environments by possessing each a unique form of burrowing. I found gall-forming myself particularly interesting as a portion of herbivorous insects are able to form themselves their own microhabitats.

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 * __ Genetics __**

What exactly is a //genetic mutation?//

Mutations can occur at numerous points during reproduction, specific to genetics; a mutation is the altering or error within the nucleotide sequence of the genome of a virus, an organism or an **extra chromosomal genetic element** (A circular, double-stranded unit of DNA that self-replicates within a cell of the chromosomal DNA). This is a permanent change in the DNA sequence that form the gene, mutations will vary in seriousness and also in size.

An individual can acquire a gene mutation in one of two ways: either inherited from a parent or developed during a person’s lifetime. Mutations that are passed through relatives are called **hereditary mutations or germ-line mutations.** It is possible for mutations to result in several varying types of alterations in sequences. They may have no absolutely no effect proving to be essentially harmless, alter the product of a gene, or prevent the gene from functioning properly or cease functioning completely.


 * Germ-line mutations: Mutations occur in gametes (passed on to offspring). **

Somatic mutations: Mutations occur in body cells (are not passed on to offspring).

**__ Genetic mutations causing disease __**

In most cases of disease, mutations leading to missing or malformed proteins are to blame. Many neurological diseases are caused by gathered proteins that together form large destructive masses which cause **neuronal degeneration**. As these proteins continue to spread, they begin to convert normal versions into their own damaging forms causing the disease to spread throughout the brain. Aside from this, there are forms of genetic mutations that cause rather unusual outcomes.


 * __ Progeria __**

Progeria is an extremely rare genetic disorder (1 per 8 million are affected) where extremely rapid aging occurs at a very early age. The lifespan for those born with progeria is typically estimated between the mid-teens and early twenties. It is a genetic condition that occurs as a new mutation, and is rarely inherited, as patients usually do not live to produce offspring.



I n 2003, NHGRI researchers, along with colleagues at the Progeria Research Foundation discovered progeria to be caused by a miniscule, point mutation in a single gene, known as lamin A or LMNA. They observed the genetic mutation appearing in the sperm before conception. Furthermore, almost all cases were found to arise from the substitution of one sole base pair among the estimated 25,000 DNA base pairs that together form the LMNA gene.

__** Hypertrichosis **__ Hypertrichosis or “werewolf syndrome” is a genetic mutation which leads to abnormal amount of hair growth over the body. In certain cases, the growth is restricted to a specific area, yet generalized hypertrichosis, which occurs over the entire body is most common opposed to localized hypertrichosis.

A general cause for Hypertrichosis is still unknown although it is most definitely associated with the mutation of genes; however researchers are still baffled as to specific causes. Hypertrichosis may be classified as congenital or acquired. Acquired hypertrichosis is linked with drug usage or a rare symptom of illness. Issues with your central nervous system are also directly linked to hypertrichosis. Drugs that are known to cause the acquired form of this condition are phenytoin (Dilantin), minoxidil (Rogaine), and cyclosporine mostly found in individuals such as body builders or workout fanatics. In extremely rare cases of the disease, a certain placement of a cast on an injured limb has been known to cause localized hypertrichosis. Below is a short video about certain cases like the three Sangli sisters. If you are interested in learning about some of the more complicating genetic mutations please feel free to explore the links below:
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__ Links: __ []

[|**http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/genetic-mutation-441**]

[|**http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/genemutation**]

[|**http://io9.com/10-unusual-genetic-mutations-in-humans-470843733**]

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