Homework answers / question archive / In this discussion students will: Demonstrate ways in which science influences and is influenced by complex societies, including political and moral issues

In this discussion students will: Demonstrate ways in which science influences and is influenced by complex societies, including political and moral issues

Biology

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In this discussion students will:

1. Demonstrate ways in which science influences and is influenced by complex societies, including political and moral issues.
2. Use methods of science and knowledge derived from current scientific inquiry in life science to question existing explanations.
3. Advance the development of skills to be able to understand material, be able to organize it logically, compare/contrast and analyze facts and ideas and draw conclusions.
4. Apply comprehension and thinking skills in working with research materials in a manner leading to clarity, conciseness, and coherence in writing.
5. Discover the role of inheritance of genetic disorders - parents passing alleles to offspring
6. Become familiar with Netiquette.

Activities

1. Read the instructions posted in this weeks Module for guidance on how discussions will be used for this class. The instructions include an example of how to format this type of discussion and a grading rubric.

2. This week we are discussing genetics and the passing of alleles from parent to offspring. For this discussion, we'll discuss human genetic disorders, mutations in DNA that change the way genes code for proteins, that affect the individual. These changes are passed down over generations, perpetuating the mutations within the human population.

For example: Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a group of three medical conditions where various sized and shaped tumors grow on an individuals nerve endings affecting the peripheral nervous system (Radtke 692). NF1 is the most common type of neurologic condition affecting approximately 1 in 3000 individuals worldwide (Anderson 76). NF1 if an autosomal dominant disorder that exhibits complete penetrance. Neurofibromatosis is a mutation of a tumor suppressor gene found on chromosome 17 in humans (Anderson 80). Early detection of NF1 is often due to the appearance of cafe'-au-lait spots on the skin (Radtke 695). Cafe'-au-lait spots occur in at least 95% of patients with NF1 (Anderson 76). Sometimes the tumors grow in the brain causing learning disabilities, cognitive delays and attention deficit (Anderson 78). Tumors of the peripheral nervous system can also affect other organs of the body including the bones causing significant pain and bone disfigurement leading to bone disorders such a scoliosis (Radtke 694). To date, there is no cure for neurofibromatosis, however genetic testing can be performed to see if a fetus has the gene (Radtke 693). Because neurofibromatosis is tumors growing on the nerve ends, it can easily mutate and lead to different cancers so genetic counseling is a must for families with children that have NF (Radtke 693).....

3. You will write a 220+ word essay/discussion about a genetic disorder. You must use at least two valid peer-reviewed sources of scientific research, published within the last five years, to support your opinion. Be sure to include both in-text citations and list the references for your sources using MLA format. In-text citations and references do not count toward the discussion word count.

4. After you have posted your discussion, reply to at least two other student posts. Write 50+ words for each reply post. You must use peer-reviewed scientific research, published within the past five years, to support each of your responses. You may use the same research you used for your initial post if it is relevant to your reply. Be sure to include in-text citation(s) and reference(s) for your source(s) in MLA format. In-text citations and references do not count toward the reply word count.

5. To receive points for the discussion, you must post your initial research discussion by Thursday 11:59pm, and then reply to at least two other students posts by Sunday 11:59pm. Late posts will receive up to half credit if any part of the discussion is posted up to one week after the initial due date. Discussion posts and responses will not be accepted after one week of the original due date and you will receive zero points.

Use Netiquette in all online communication. This is not a 'bash the other person's opinion' response. If you don't agree with the post, you must support your disagreement with scientific evidence. It's alright to disagree with someone else's opinion, but you must be courteous in your reply.