Megan McCoy

Module 4 Prompt: I think that mutation rate can evolve within a species. I think there are many circumstances where mutation rate must change in order to keep the species alive. It can increase or decrease depending on what will help make the organism most fit for its environment. There are many factors that can influence this mutation rate. Exposures to very high doses of potent mutagens can increase the mutation rate per generation by more than 100 fold. Nature of the gene and the environment can also play a huge factor in changes in mutation rate. Protective agents, possibly dietary, can alter this. Mutations allow organisms to adapt, but also can create negative impacts to fitness levels. The mutation rate is often considered a slow evolving parameter, but it is still subject to change and evolve over time. A high mutation rate can initially be beneficial because it allows for a quicker adaptation, but once the adaptation is reached, the benefit disappears. Low mutation rates have ...

One disease of civilization  that has interested me recently is Parkinson's disease. I don't have a special connection in my family to this disease, but I work as a CNA in a nursing home and have gotten to see the real life impacts of this disease on a few of the residents I work with. Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the central nervous system. It affects movement and motor functions, often including tremors. Parkinson's occurs when neurons in the brain become impaired or die. These cells, when functioning properly, produce dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps the brain transmit signals between different areas in the brain. When nerve cell damage occurs, dopamine levels drop. This leads to the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This disease often starts with tremors in one hand and can lead to many other things. Other symptoms of this disease include shaking, slow movements, loss of automatic movements, speech and writing challenges, and difficulty...