Nick+M.

=**Biology 122 Wiki Posts**=

=**WIKI Post #1-Genetically Modified Food**=

Genetically modified foods are foods who by the process of genetic engineering, have had changes done to their DNA. Such changes to the DNA have made these foods have any of the following: last through certain conditions such as a cold night, resistance to pathogens, increase in growth, even switching the color and much more. Though with all the goods there comes the not-so goods, and because of this, many discussions and debates have taken place about genetically modified food. Let's take a deeper look.

Video: What is Genetically Modified Food?
media type="youtube" key="jAP6ZtfP9ZQ" width="560" height="315" Here is a video that will explain to you more what it is, and give you examples like how some of the Flounder's DNA is in a tomato. It also explains how the actual process happens, where they take part of the DNA that they want, then make gaps in E coli bacteria's DNA and having its DNA mix with the DNA they want the organism to have and then putting it into the organism. This video will explain more on how that all actually happens, like how they get through the cell wall and much more, so you will get a better sense of what Genetically Modified Food is.

Here is a photo of a tomato next to one, which is being genetically modified to be bigger. Such tomatoes have disappeared from the US and are no longer in Europe either. For more info on this check the further reading section.

Here is a comic related to the fact that scientist have tried to fuse several fruits genetically to make one super fruit. Results perhaps looking like such of the fruit on the right.



Here is a picture of an unusual blue looking strawberry. The color of a food may be modified genetically to make it look better and how it should, for example a tomato may be modified to look more red, to appear better and more fresh. Or the foods could be severely switched like on the left for whatever the reason may be, fun, or a marketing gimmick.



Finally many health issues have rised regarding these foods. Not all genetically food will causes huge problems, but it has been shown that health issues may rise from certain things. More info on the health risks of consuming these foods will be provided in the further readings.

Further Readings:
More on the truth of the health of genetically modified foods here: http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/the-truth-is-out-on-genetically-modified-foods-and-its-not-pretty

More on Tomatoes specifically here: http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/fruit_vegetables/15.genetically_modified_tomatoes.html

More on Genetically Engineering Methods: http://library.thinkquest.org/C004367/be9.shtml

More Info: http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php

Sources:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/genetically-modified-foods-and-pr-wars-fighting-against-biotech-giants/5353538 http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/food/understanding-gmo/ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/gmo-fears-do-not-translate-to-the-average-consumer-1.1362542 http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/campaigns/ge/

=Wiki Post #2- Blood Types=

There are 4 different blood types. A, B, AB and O. Now what decides the blood types are the antigens (proteins), that are found on the red blood cells. The factor that decides if your blood type is positive or negative is called the 'RH' factor. The blood type is positive if the D antigen is present, if its not present, then the type is negative. In our society there is much need for blood donations due to sickness, etc. With that being said, pretty much every blood type is restricted on where it can go. For example, A+ blood can only be donated to other people with A+ as their blood type or AB+. Though the blood type O- can work with any other blood type, making it the most wanted when it comes to donations. Now let's learn and explore the bloody world.

Video: Blood Types
media type="youtube" key="KXTF7WehgM8" width="560" height="315" Here is a video which will explain more about blood types to you. Notably on the proteins and how they work. Also, about how you have antibodies that are there and are what prevent certain blood from being compatible. To explain, A blood would have B antibodies which are there to protect our body, B blood would have A antibodies, etc. So if you were trying to get B blood and you were A type, the B antigens would attack the B blood. That could be fatal. To get a better understanding, watch the provided clip.

Here we have a photo showing the different blood types. This photo lets you see the antigens attached to the surface of the red blood cells. As you can see, the positive ones all have the same D antigen (green proteins in pic)

This photo shows the percentages of each blood type there is in our population. This is in the US, but is still very similar to the percentages of Canadians. AB- being the least common blood type in both US and Canada. Though in Canada O+ is our most common blood type at 39%

Blood clinics/hospitals are located throughout our country. All blood types are accepted. The popular slogan being 'Giving=Living'. Of course, with all the diseases,etc. that have people worried, well don't worry! People are checked before they get their blood taken and have it put in someone else. Blood is kept in these sacs which are labeled with the type so doctors know they are giving the correct blood. Blood is stored under cool temperatures.

(A bonus funny picture. :P )

Further Readings:
More about donating blood and where this is available here: http://www.blood.ca/centreapps/internet/uw_v502_mainengine.nsf/page/AboutBloodTypes?OpenDocument&CloseMenu#

More info on the genetics of blood here: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/traits/blood/

More info on Blood types and Blood transfusions here: http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/landsteiner/readmore.html

More info: http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-types

Sources:
http://www.blood.ca/centreapps/internet/uw_v502_mainengine.nsf/page/AboutBloodTypes?OpenDocument&CloseMenu http://www.fi.edu/learn/heart/blood/types.html http://chapters.redcross.org/br/northernohio/info/bloodtype.html http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0877658.html

=Wiki Post #3 - Pregnancy/Fertilization=

This time I will be looking at something that many women go through in their life, and is needed in order for our species to live on, pregnancy. Pregnancy is when a embryo or a fetus develops in a woman's uterus, and will eventually become a baby. The brain eventually sends out signals in a woman so that eggs are sent out month after month. This is known as ovulation. Pregnancy occurs when a female's egg is fertilized by a sperm of a male. Lets take a deeper look into the process of pregnancy.

media type="custom" key="24934932"Here is a video which gives much more explanation on how the whole thing goes down. From when an egg is pumped out, to talking about millions of sperms that don't succeed for they die from the acid inside the woman's vagina, and much more. Emphasis that for fertilization to happen, unless done in say a lab, it will involve sex, and usually lots. Notable facts, egg has only 24 hours to be fertilized or it will die. Sperm have to travel a long distance, nearly a meter, that accounts for the tangle of tubing to the end of the erect penis. This and much more about muscle contractions sending the sperm, etc. (There is a video here Mr. Smith, not just a white space. xDdddD lulz ok.)

Above is a photo, showing a pregnant woman over the course of the baby developing inside her over the weeks. After fertilization, depending on if its your first pregnancy and much more, it usually takes 40 weeks, or 9 months, for a baby to be born. The process is a long and difficult one.

Here is a diagram showing the process of the sperm making its way in the egg, as you can see, only one is making it. Along with every other part, it is also showing the haploids turning into diploid.

Here is a diagram showing the path of the egg after coming out of the ovary, becoming a zygote, making its way to the uterus and becoming an embryo.

As mentioned earlier, fertilization can also be done without actually having a man and a woman have sex. It can happen in vitro (inside a lab). That is what is being shown in the photo below. Usually done when a couple has problems naturally, so for example low sperm count. Rather than adopting they do this. etc.

Further Readings:
More on Ovulation, fertilizing, hormones and more here: http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/understanding-conception

Info on health during pregnancy and more here: http://www.todaysparent.com/pregnancy/

More on Fetal Development here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm

More on The Fertilization Process here: http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/human-biology/human-reproduction10.htm

Sources:
http://www.med.nyu.edu/sti/contented35.html http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/understanding-conception http://www.thirdage.com/hc/p/14826/reasons-for-in-vitro-fertilization http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pregnancy