Web Activities
UNIT 2: MOLECULAR GENETICS
Unit 2 - Performance Task and Review
p. 323
Performance Task
Explore and research the use of bovine somatotropin in boosting
milk production in cows.
Human
Food Safety of BST
From one of the world’s biggest companies selling bovine somatotropin
comes this report on the Human Food Safety of BST. It includes a discussion
of Canada’s hesitancy in declaring BST safe, and the US Food
and Drug Administration’s response.
BST
- Related Documents
BST - Related Documents is a list of information prepared for farmers
by the US National Dairy Database. The links include topics such as
herd management, the properties of milk from BST-injected cows, the
impact of BST on production, market implications, and its current
use in the US.
Can
You Afford to Use Bovine Somatrophin?
Can You Afford to Use Bovine Somatrophin? asks a dairy specialist
from the University of Nebraska. This information sheet explains what
BST is and what it does to cows.
p. 327
Unit 2 Review
48. Telomeres are repetitive units of DNA found at the end
of chromosomes. The role of telomeres is to prevent chromosomes from
sticking together and to act as a buffer against the shortening of DNA
during DNA replication. Studies have shown that telomeres shorten with
aging, until the cell eventually dies. In contrast, cancer cells, despite
their rapid duplication, generally do not experience a shortening of
their telomeres. The enzyme telomerase has been found in large amounts
in cancer cells. Telomerase is responsible for extending the telomeres.
How could the manipulation of telomerase be used to produce a cure for
cancer? Using the Internet and scientific journals, investigate the
current research being conducted into this possible treatment. Present
your findings in a written report.
Telomerase
and Cancer
Telomerase and Cancer: this review of scientific research conducted
during the mid-
90s was published in the scientific journal, Biochemistry.
It is not particularly easy to read, but does include a table showing
how telomerase activity is associated with a variety of human malignancies.
Telomerase
Geron, a pharmaceutical company, does a good job of explaining how
Telomerase might be useful in the treatment of cancer and aging.
Telomerase
in Cancer
A professor from the University of Michigan explains the role of Telomerase
in Cancer, and presents some ideas about how this knowledge may be
used to treat cancer.
Telomeres,
Telomerase and Cancer
Reproduced on this Web site is a 1996 Scientific American
article, Telomeres, Telomerase and Cancer. The link between cancer
and telomerase is explained, and the potential for new ways of treating
the disease is discussed.
A
Cancer Vaccine?
A Cancer Vaccine? That is the question asked in this BBC News online
article reporting on some telomerase research.
Review
of Telomeras and Cancer
This Review of Telomerase and Cancer, by one of the field’s
leading researchers, was published in the scientific journal Human
Molecular Genetics in 2001. Although its wording is academic,
it is worth reading for its overview of telomerase-based cancer diagnosis
and treatment methods.
p. 327
Unit 2 Review
49. During the past century, humans discovered that antibiotics
could be used to combat bacterial infections. The effectiveness of antibiotics
against bacterial invasions is slowly diminishing because of the rapid
rate that bacteria mutate and develop defence mechanisms. Instead of
battling the bacterium itself, some researchers are trying to understand
how disease-causing organisms penetrate a cell. By understanding the
strategy that the organisms use, researchers hope to build cells that
can provide more of a defence against these invading organisms. Hence,
instead of developing offensive drugs, researchers are hoping to enhance
defence mechanisms. Researchers have found that host cells actively
participate in the introduction of pathogens within them. Bacteria and
viruses manipulate the host cell so that it allows the pathogen in.
Using the Internet, scientific journals, and other print resources,
research the methods that invading organisms use to gain access to a
host cell. Present the results of your research in a written report.
How
Tuberculosis Bacteria Invade Cells
In 1997, scientists discovered how Tuberculosis Bacteria Invade Cells.
This article reveals the secret.
How
Viruses Invade Cells
A short news article on the Duke University Medical Center’s
Web page explains a recent breakthrough in understanding How Viruses
Invade Cells.
How
Viruses Enter Cells
In 2000, scientists at Harvard University studying How Viruses Enter
Cells made an interesting discovery. In the process of outlining their
work, this article explains the main pathways by which viruses invade
a host cell.
Common
Cold Virus is Foiled by a Decoy
Common Cold Virus is Foiled by a Decoy: read this 1999 article at
ScienceNewsOnline to learn about one way that researchers
may be able to turn the cell invasion tactics of viruses against them.
The
Invasion of Eukaryotic Cells by Bacteria
A researcher at the University of Edinburgh has written this essay
outlining The Invasion of Eukaryotic Cells by Bacteria, with lots
of colour illustrations of various means bacteria use to get into
cells. The coverage of information is good, but some of the language
may be difficult to understand.
The
Battle Against Anthrax
From ScienceNewsOnline comes this story of a potential tactic
for use in The Battle Against Anthrax. The strategy involves changing
the bacterium’s pathway of cell invasion.
General
Aspects of Bacterial Pathogenesis
General Aspects of Bacterial Pathogenesis is part of an online microbiology
textbook from the University of South Carolina. Included in this chapter
is good information on how bacteria attach to the host cell wall (adhesion),
and subsequently gain entry. The table of contents page for the main
site includes links to accompanying PDF documents and a PowerPoint
slide presentation.
