Mike+F.

Wiki post #1: Genetics and how Cancer cells are created

Definition of Cancer: Cells that divide or do things uncontrollably or without instruction to do so.

Cancer can be caused by many things such as smoking or having a poor diet or by simply being old. But, why do these things cause cancer and can cancer possibly be inherited?

A cancer cell

How is cancer created?

People can carry 2 types of genes that are related to cancer, the first one being onconogenes and the second being tumor-suppressing genes. Oncogenes were normal proto-oncogenes, which are genes that determine what kind of cells need to be made and that tell cells when to grow and when to divide. Tumor-suppressing genes are genes that normally tell a cell when to slow down their division, repair DNA and tell a cell when to die. These two genes are very good for the human body for avoiding cancer, but in unfortunate cases they mutate, and instead of controlling the cell, they don't function properly and the cells become rapid dividing and uncontrollable cancer cells.

The mutation of Proto-oncogenes causes them to become a oncogenes which are overactive and causes cells to divide rapidly. Tumor-suppressing genes turn off, and cells no longer die or are controlled.

Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes:



Video on Oncogenes and Tumor suppressor genes:

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After the cells begin to divide rapidly they form a mass of cells called a tumor. If the cancer cells do not leave the tumor, the cancer is not harmful. If some of the cancer cells break off and move throughout your body to other areas, they become malignant and now cause you to become sick.

Why and how do genes become mutated?

The reason you often here a lot about why it is important to not smoke and to take care of your body to prevent cancer is directly related to oncogenes and tumor-suppressing genes. When people smoke or eat foods that are highly processed, they are putting chemicals that attack their DNA and which can eventually cause the persons genes to become damaged. When these genes are damaged they normally are repaired, but if the cannot be repaired, they are mutated and have caused the oncogenes to be activated and the tumor-suppressing genes to be turned off, which will eventually cause cancer if the damage has been done to several of these genes. This form of gene mutation is called "Acquired Mutation" or "Somatic"

These mutated genes can also be brought through from generation to generation, this is called hereditary mutation, it is present the moment the sperm or egg is created. With hereditary there is only 50 percent that a carrier will pass it on to their offspring, but only have a major factor in only 5-10 percent of cancers.

How the cancer gene is passed down from generation to generation: After the ce

Further Reading:

More one Hereditary Cancer and the main types of cancer it causes:

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Statistics on Cancer:

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Cancer research being done here in Canada:

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Discrimination against cancer patients:

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Sources:

Images -[|https://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=659&q=mutated+gene&oq=mutated+gene&gs_l=img.1.0.0j0i5j0i24l8.1016.9264.0.10738.35.19.15.1.1.1.138.1892.3j16.19.0....0...1ac.1.27.img..4.31.1515.XXv836Z1rWc#hl=en&q=cancer+cell&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=RPHOwB5tbJv5xM%3A%3B6IrEXQgmVf1wDM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fshare.sandia.gov%252Fnews%252Fresources%252Freleases%252F2005%252Fimages%252Fmitopic.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fshare.sandia.gov%252Fnews%252Fresources%252Freleases%252F2005%252Foptics-lasers%252Fbiocavitylaser.html%3B1500%3B852] -[|https://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=659&q=mutated+gene&oq=mutated+gene&gs_l=img.1.0.0j0i5j0i24l8.1016.9264.0.10738.35.19.15.1.1.1.138.1892.3j16.19.0....0...1ac.1.27.img..4.31.1515.XXv836Z1rWc#hl=en&q=cancer+cell&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=RPHOwB5tbJv5xM%3A%3B6IrEXQgmVf1wDM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fshare.sandia.gov%252Fnews%252Fresources%252Freleases%252F2005%252Fimages%252Fmitopic.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fshare.sandia.gov%252Fnews%252Fresources%252Freleases%252F2005%252Foptics-lasers%252Fbiocavitylaser.html%3B1500%3B852] -[|https://www.google.ca/search?q=oncogenes&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=0hlSUvqDKc-l4APDwoG4Bw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=607&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=E-u8YUi3UFi2ZM%3A%3BPs-gKPxanq39EM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cancer.gov%252FPublishedContent%252FImages%252Fimages%252Fdocuments%252F4167b7ca-7e27-4eec-9855-640637dde5dc%252Fcancer42.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cancer.gov%252Fcancertopics%252Funderstandingcancer%252Fcancer%252FAllPages%3B570%3B429] -[|https://www.google.ca/search?q=oncogenes&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=0hlSUvqDKc-l4APDwoG4Bw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=607&dpr=1#q=tumor+suppressor+genes&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=roP-de3u93xLZM%3A%3BPs-gKPxanq39EM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cancer.gov%252FPublishedContent%252FImages%252Fimages%252Fdocuments%252F4167b7ca-7e27-4eec-9855-640637dde5dc%252Fcancer45.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.cancer.gov%252Fcancertopics%252Funderstandingcancer%252Fcancer%252FAllPages%3B570%3B429] -[|https://www.google.ca/search?q=hereditary+cancer&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=jwxWUrJfl6fgA_rngOgE&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=659&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=XOQC_pArUROeIM%3A%3BrSDNnJsfW8uhaM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Felcaminogmi.dnadirect.com%252Fimg%252Fcontent%252Fcommon%252FautoDominant.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Felcaminogmi.dnadirect.com%252Fgrc%252Fpatient-site%252Fhereditary-nonpolyposis-colorectal-cancer%252Fgenetics-of-hereditary-nonpolyposis-colorectal-cancer.html%3B307%3B396]

Information:

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Wikipost #2 Evolution- Human Evolution and Our Origins Date:11/29/2013

I will be talking about the "Out of Africa " theory in my wikipost.

Progression of humans:



Human Evolution is a highly controversial topic. Arguments form over this topic all the time over things we really aren't sure about. Although, there is one thing that scientists are, for the majority,sure of. This one thing scientists can agree on is that we are all descendants of // homo sapiens, // and that we are all humans, originated from Africa.

Early Human life:

Approximately 11-16 million years, apes made their appearance on earth. Many of the groups of these apes were simply killed off and some evolved. It wouldn't be for 5-10 million years later many species of apes had evolved to become bipedal, which is the ability to walk on two legs. Apes who are bipedal became Hominids. The reason apes became bipedal was caused a change in the climate, and because of this the apes had to now, with the new climate that caused the growth of trees to become taller, be able to see their prey from further away and reach fruit off trees. //Australopithecus// is a species of Hominid that was short and very similar too humans, and is thought to be the primary ancestor of humans. From the //Australopithecus,// came about the humanoid group that we are the most related to, the //Homo,// probably after a genetic mutation.

Our Primary Ancestor:



The beginning of the modern human:

//Homo Habilis,// is a species that existed 1.5 to 2.4 million years ago. Like its name suggests it was the first known "Handy Man". They had to ability to use tools and make tools, and are thought to have been able to have a limited ability to talk. Many species of //Homo// existed afterward but were not quite as human-like until the //Homo ergaster// came about a couple couple hundred thousand years later, which had the ability to make very detailed weapons like axes and cleavers. They are also believed to have been very similar to the stature of a human, and believed to be the first //Homo// to have largely hairless bodies, but this is often regarded. Another interesting fact is that they were the first ones to leave Africa, as scientists found remains in Georgia. //Homo erectus// was another species to have successfully left Africa, which made its appearance 1.5 million years and is believed to have lived until about 27 000 years ago. This species are the ones who first learned of fire and shelter. It wasn't until 200, 000 years ago that our closest cousin came about though. They were named the Neanderthals. They would perform rituals like burying the dead, made art, and had complex hunting methods, they lived up until about 28, 000 years ago and may have lived in cooperation with //Homo Sapiens//. //Homo Sapiens// are what what we believe to be the true beginning of us. The sole species of //Homo// to have lived until today. We are also said to all be the descendant of one African women named Mitochondrial Eve. This is also a very controversial topic and others believed that we come from a single group of humans not just one mother and father

Comparison between species:

How // Homo Sapiens // expanded:

According to the "Out of Africa" theory, there were two waves of migration from Africa. The first one was was involved with the //Homo erectus// and //ergaster.// Than the second wave is said to have happened 60,000 years ago, depending on the believes of the scientist, during an ice age which made it possible to get cross large bodies of water, this is humans migrated. When us humans were evolved enough to migrate and had a large enough population, we migrated to where the first two species did and we completely phased them out and we are believed to have been the cause of the extinction of the two species of the first wave.Humans first migrated to Europe Australia, and Asia about 50,000 years ago, the Arctic 20,000 years ago and then the Americas by 10,000 years ago. It is believed that we may have expanded in to the world either for food, or just out curiosity.

Picture of Human Migration:



Video on Human migration explained by a Bacteria:

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Why were Humans the only successful specie of //Homo?://

Because humans, while in Africa, evolved to have a far superior brain than other species and learnt how to be social and work as a team.Humans were also able to reproduce quicker than our counterparts. But, a very important part in our success was simply our luck. We as a species were very fortunate to have been able to survive. We came very close to extinction multiple times, whether it be due to a volcanic eruption or and ice age. Scientists also believe that at one point there may have been less than 2000 humans on earth. What is also peculiar is that humans somehow outlived their probably well adapted ancestors and much stronger ancestors.

Further Reading:

Evidence that suggests a species was using tools earlier than previously thought: []

Evidence that humans are still evolving: []

Predictions on possible evolutions: []

Oldest human remains: []

Images: -[|https://www.google.ca/search?q=homo+habilis+vs+homo+sapiens&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=TCaWUp2zGtOisQS4goGgBQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=658#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=Mfm7fkRsGTHW2M%3A%3BxcpQWUYvMSvjlM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.internetlooks.com%252Fhsapiensherectusausafarensis.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.internetlooks.com%252Fhumanorigins.html%3B599%3B473] - [|https://www.google.ca/search?q=homo+habilis+vs+homo+sapiens&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=TCaWUp2zGtOisQS4goGgBQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=658#q=human+migration&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=BtXD4kdSZHDnFM%3A%3BUBr1C8yixgyuvM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fturbotodd.files.wordpress.com%252F2011%252F11%252Fgeno-project-human-migration-map_print.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fturbotodd.wordpress.com%252F2011%252F11%252F02%252Fout-of-africa-ibm-and-national-geographic-map-the-human-genography%252F%3B2100%3B1500] - [|https://www.google.ca/search?q=homo+habilis+vs+homo+sapiens&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=TCaWUp2zGtOisQS4goGgBQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=658#q=australopithecus&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=7bPuq231NEpbpM%3A%3Bhi3qM-cmMCC6GM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fupload.wikimedia.org%252Fwikipedia%252Fcommons%252F5%252F5e%252FAustralopithecus_afarensis.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fen.wikipedia.org%252Fwiki%252FAustralopithecus_afarensis%3B2560%3B1920] - [|https://www.google.ca/search?q=homo+habilis+vs+homo+sapiens&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=TCaWUp2zGtOisQS4goGgBQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=658#q=human+evolution&tbm=isch&facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=eYTFbXZoC2XA5M%3A%3BRwMv87_mg6xVuM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblogs.plos.org%252Fneuroanthropology%252Ffiles%252F2011%252F02%252FHuman-Evolution.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fblogs.plos.org%252Fneuroanthropology%252F2011%252F02%252F22%252Fjohn-shea-human-evolution-and-behavioral-variability-not-behavioral-modernity%252F%3B468%3B326]

Info: [|http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9990-introduction-human-evolution.html?page=3#.UpYLZcSsim4] [] [] [] []

Date: 1/24/2014 Wikipost #3- The Anatomy and Function of the Endocrine System:

Homeostasis is the tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements. It is achieved in the body by a system that uses glands and hormones to control the organs and functions of the body. This system is called the endocrine system. The endocrine system is able to keep the homeostasis with the help of glands that secrete their hormones/ chemical messages into the bloodstream, these messages will then go to an organ or another gland in the body to regulate whatever has to be regulated.

Major Endocrine Glands and Their Functions:

Here is a picture that shows the location of the four brain glands

-The Hypothalamus: This gland is attached to the brain, and it releases the following hormones:

TRH: A hormone that stimulates the pituitary gland, so it will release a hormone that stimulates the thyroid. GHRH and GHIH: regulate how much growth hormone is released. GnRH: here follicle hormone stimulants are released, as well as a hormone called the luteinizing hormone, which is the hormone that stimulates ovulation in girls, and the synthesis of androgen in males. CRH: stimulates the release of a hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland and that stimulates the adrenal cortex, called the adrenocorticotropic hormone.  Oxytocin and Antidiuretic Hormone: These two hormones are made in the hypothalamus but are taken to the pituitary gland and are secreted there.

-Pituitary Gland; This gland is attached to the hypothalamus and is surrounded by many blood vessels, that carry the hormones released by the pituitary gland. It releases the following hormones between it's two parts, which are the anterior and posterior gland:

Oxytocin: A hormone that triggers contractions in childbirth, and releases milk from the breast. Antidiuretic: this hormone prevents water loss by stopping the flow of blood to sweat glands and increasing the re-uptake of water. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: is released to stimulate the thyroid gland. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone: stimulates adrenal cortex to release hormones. Follicle Stimulating Gland: Stimulates the gonads to produce gametes. Luteinizing Hormone: this tells the gonads to produce sex hormones. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">HGH: stimulates the growth, repair and reproduction of body cells. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Prolactin: Produces breast milk.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">- Pineal Gland: Loacated near the thalamus of the brain. This gland produces melatonin, which is a hormone that controls the sleep cycle. The production of the melatonin can be inhibited by the photoreceptors of the retina when they have been stimulated, meaning that melatonin is only released in the dark. Melatonin is also the hormone, that makes humans drowsy.

This picture shows the back view of a Thyroid and parathyroid gland

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.5;">- Thyroid Gland: Butter fly shaped gland located in the lower half of the neck. It produces three hormones:

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Calcitonin: this hormone is released when the level of calcium ions increases. The hormone causes the bones to take in more calcium. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">T3 and T4: These work together to control metabolic activity. When levels of these hormones increase, it causes an increase in cellular activity and energy usage.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">- Parathyroid Gland: Four glands that are found on the posterior side of the Thyroid. They release the hormone Parathyroid hormone (PTH), which controls the equilibrium of the calcium ions. PTH is released when calcium ion levels drop past a certain point. These calcium ions are found in the bone matrix, so the PTH gets osteoclats to break them down to release more calcium ions. Also causes kidneys to bring calcium ions back into the bloodstream.



<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Location of the adrenal glands

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">- Adrenal Glands: These are found just above the kidneys and are made of two distinct layers. The outer adrenal cortex and the inner adrenal medulla.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">The Adrenal Cortex produces three hormones:

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Glucocorticoids: Causes proteins and lipids to breakdown to create glucose. Also cause the reduction of inflammation and immune response. Mineralocorticoids: helps regulate concentration of mineral ions in the body. Androgens: helps regulate the growth and activity of the cells that are receptive to male hormones. This leads to secondary male sex characteristics.

Adrenal Medulla: Produces the two hormones epinephrine and norepinphrine. These aid in the "fight or flight" process by increasing blood flow to the brain in muscles. The hormones will also increase heart rate, breath rate, and blood pressure, along with slowing blood flow to places to where it is not needed when there is an emergency.

A Pancreas

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.5;">- Pancreas: This is found near the stomach, and it produces inuslin when sugar levels are getting too high to bring them down. It also produces glucagon which helps bring sugar levels back up.

Here is a teste, the male gonad.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">- Gonads: These are the testes in males and the ovaries in females.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Testes: These produce testosterone, which causes males after puberty to become stronger and grow hair, it also controls the development of sex organs. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Ovaries: Almond-shaped glands located in the pelvic body. They produce the two hormones progesterone and estrogen. Progesterone aids the body to support a growing fetus. Estrogen helps develop and control secondary sex characteristics.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">The Thymus before birth compared to that of an adult

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Thymus: A gland found in the chest. It produces the hormone thymosins that help create T-lymphocytes during childhood. The T-lymphocytes will go on to protect the body from pathogens afterward until the person has died. The thymus becomes inactive after puberty and is replaced by adipose tissue.



<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Overview of the locations of all endocrine glands.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">An in-depth video on the endocrine system and it's functions <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">media type="custom" key="24942656"

Further Reading:

-Thyroid cancer increase after the Chernobyl accident http://www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/chernobyl/backgrounder/en/index.html

-Diabetes and the Endocrine System http://www.diabetes-info.co.uk/what-is-diabetes/in-depth-diabetes-information-about-diabetes.html

-World's tallest man height due to hypertrophy of his pituitary gland causing increased level of growth hormone http://www.thetallestman.com/robertpershingwadlow.htm

-How caffeine affects your endocrine system http://teeccino.com/building_optimal_health/62/The-Effects-of-Caffeine.html

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Information: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">- http://www.innerbody.com/image/endoov.html - http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/body_basics/endocrine.html -http://www.ama-assn.org//ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-human-body/endocrine-system.page

Images: - http://www.universal-tao.com/dark_room/images/brain_2.gif -http://www.pauerhome.com/ryan/endocrine_system/pictures/parathyroid_gland_diagram_1.jpg - http://www.meltmethod.com/sites/default/files/129/mcdc7_adrenal_glands.jpg -http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7JevRkr0yw/Tb169zy5lgI/AAAAAAAAAHY/eYSg4tCGsFQ/s1600/testes.png -http://files.myopera.com/khabat/albums/423528/Thymus_Gland.jpg -http://www.autismpedia.org/wiki/images/6/61/Endocrine-system.gif