Biology

The saying that people use only ten percent of their total capacity brain is false. This may have originated by William James who wrote in 1908, "We are only making use of a small part of our possible mental and physical resources"(from The Energies of Men,p.12). We all know that if any part of or brain is damaged that it would have devastating effects on our behavior.

Albert Einstien's brain was at first missing when he died in 1955. The rest of his body was cremated but his brain was saved. In the 1970's a man named Steven Levy, a reporter for the New Jersey Monthly set out to find Albert Einstien's brain. Levy found Einstein's brain with Dr. Harvey, the one who removed Einsteins brain when he died. Einstein's brain differs from the average brain because he had more glial cells than normal brains. Glial cells are the cells that clean up and get rid of dead brain debris. These cells also transport nutients to neurons and they insulate and support neurons. Einstien had more of these cells allowing him to have a greater metabolic need.

Later research showed that he also had an unusual pattern pattern of groves, called (sulci). His brain was also fifteen percent wider than most humans. Researchers think that these unique characteristics in his brain may have allowed for better connections between neurons imortant for math and spatial reasoning.
The current metaphor for the brain is that it is like a computer. This metaphor holds true. According to an article written by, Eric H. Chudler, Ph.D., Odyssey magazine 10:6-7, 2001(march), Cobblestone Publishing Co. Both the brain and a computer both need energy and both store memories. They also both have the ability to monitor their surroundings. And just as your computer is protected by a hard cover, the brain too is protected by your skull.

The major difference between your brain and a computer is that the brain has a consciousness and a computer does not. You know you are here a computer doesn't. Also unlike a computer the brain does not have a power switch. The brain is constantly working, even when we are sleep.

The brain and a computer are very similar in ways but are very much different as mentioned. It all makes a person wonder how the brain really works and what is the special mystery behind it.
With all its neurons and special glial cells the brain is a working process center. But why and how has it come to be so complex that every day there can yet be something learned from the thoughts that we hold and our behavior behind it?

From this unit I learned about the scienrific attitude how a scientist wants to see the evidence of a crazy idea. I also learned about critical thinking, how to think smarter and analyze things differently.




Information in this article is from Neuroscience for Kids website, provided by host: http//faculty.washington.edu/chudler/nuerok.html

Genetics

I had difficulty with Elizabeths' choice whether or not she should keep her breasts or remove them due to the cancer and the genetic mutation. This was a difficult decision because it does involve removing a part of her body. This could cause a lot of psychological damage, at the same time she would be at less risk for the cancer to return.

If I had a history of breast cancer in my family I would want to have genetic testing done to determine my risk. I would do this to ease my mind and to keep myself aware of what is going on with my body. I could also prepare and get more knowledge on cancer to treat my condition.

If I had a family history of breast cancer I would advise my children to get routine checks to find out if they have inherited any genetic signs of cancer.

The knowledge that Iam carrying genes for a potential fatal disorder would influence my decision to have children. I would not want to pass those genes on to any offspring. Not even if there was a fifty-percent chance the gene would not pass on.

This information was provided by a website; http://dnafiles.org/interact/brca/index.html