Due to holidays we will not have Discussion/Lab during Weeks 3 and 14 (there will be lectures). To take the place of the labs you are required to complete two out of class assignments. Each assignment is worth 12 points each.
1. Internet Search Exercise - To be completed by Week 4.
2. You will receive 12 points if you take part in EITHER the 5K Run/1mile Walk "Race for the Cure" Saturday, Sept 16th in Grant Park, or, the AIDS Walk Sunday, Sept. 24th You also have the option to go to the Museum of Science and Industry to see and answer questions about preserved human fetuses and the AIDS exhibit.
Many issues in human reproduction and development are of interest because they affect our own well being or the well being of people we care about. These issues may affect most people (i.e., birth control), or only a small proportion of the population (i.e., dwarfism). Enormous numbers of people use the internet to seek information about issues which interest them, or to reach other people who share the same interests or problems as themselves.
Below is a list of suggested topics. If you stray from these topics, please choose an issue relevant to human reproduction and development. Conduct an internet search of the topic using the search engine of your choice. If you do not find what you are looking for, try another search engine (Ask Jeeves is a good one). Browse the web pages you find most interesting, informative, or relevant and check out links to related sites. Your assignment will consist of a 2-3 page essay describing the results of your internet search.
In your essay, state your keyword and why you chose it. Describe what methods you used, including which search engine and whether you chose to limit the search. Describe what you learned and how it might be relevant to yourself or someone you know.
Answer some of the following questions in your essay. How many results did you get? What sorts of web pages did you encounter? Did these consist mainly of web pages set up by organizations or by individuals? Were any of these pages informative? Were there any "fringe" pages reflecting extreme opinions? What sorts of people do you think read these web pages? Are these people using the internet to educate and inform?, to entertain?, to spread misinformation?
Keep in mind that people use the internet to spread all kinds of information and opinions, not just those that are relevant or factually correct. There is a great deal of misinformation on the internet, and many extreme views. Try not to be squeamish or easily offended, and read with a very critical eye.
This assignment is worth 12 points. It will be due in your lab week 4. If you do not turn it in during your Discussion/Lab in week 4 some points will be deducted. Please write a clear, concise, essay which makes a point-not simply a summary of your experience with the internet search. Only typed essays will be accepted.
Turner's syndrome
Transgenic organisms
Gigantism
Klinfelter's syndrome
Ichthyosis
Proteus Syndrome
Down's syndrome
Chlamydia
Artificial Insemination
Cri du Chat
AIDS/HIV
Amniocentisis
Cystic fibrosis
Herpes
Ectrodactyly
Tay Sachs Disease
Estrogen Replacement
Human Papillomavirus
Gonnorea
Syphilis
Spina Biffida
Hermaphrodism
Sickle-cell anemia
Breast Cancer
Dwarfism
Infertility
Prostate Cancer
Polydactyly
Ovarian Cancer
Huntington's disease
Microcephaly
Thalidomide
Neurofibromatosis
Hydrocephaly
Marfan's Syndrome
Identical twins
Albinism
Eugenics
In vitro fertilization
Siamese (Conjoined) twins
Race For The Cure: 8:30 AM Saturday, September 16th, Grant Park (Arvey Field on Columbus, just north of Roosevelt Rd)
The Race For The Cure is a National series of 5K Runs or 1mile Walks to fund Breast Cancer Research, Education, Screening and Treatment. You can register on line using your credit card or with a printed form which will be available in class and the lab. The deadline for team entry is Wednesday, August 30th. If you register online or give your registration with a check (made out to Komen Race for the Cure) to your TA or me by August 30th the entry fee will be $15. Registration fees increase after August 30th so it is important to register before that time. Registration includes a Tee Shirt. If you sign up with our team prior to August 30th they will deliver the tee shirts and bib numbers to me to distribute before the race. Otherwise you will wait in a long line to register and get your tee shirt. When you register (on line or by giving us your registration form) use UIC-Biology as the team name and Leo Miller as your Team Captain. Bring the "bib number" to your TA to receive your 12 points for this assignment. For students who want to walk with the instructors and class, we will meet at the Northeast corner of Columbus Drive and Balbo St at 8:15 AM and do the one mile walk together. Due to the generosity of the Office of Community Relations and Department of Biological Sciences we will have two free shuttle buses to give us a ride from campus to Grant Park and back. The buses will pick us up in front of CCC at 7:50 AM and bring us to the race. They will pick us up at Grant Park to return to CCC at 10:30 AM.
Public Transportation to Grant Park:
Red Line: Exit train at Rooselvelt platform. Walk east toward
lake until you reach Columbus Drive.
Blue Line: Exit train at Jackson subway stop. Walk east toward
lake until you reach Columbus Drive then south to Balbo.
Bus Routes: Call the CTA, 312-836-7000.
Parking is expensive but available at Museum Campus and Grant Park Garages.
AIDS Walk: 10 AM Sunday, September 24th, Grant Park (Arvey Field on Columbus, just north of Roosevelt Rd)
Join our UIC BioS 103 Team # 0561 for a 10K (6.2 mile) walk to raise funds for AIDS services and research. For this event you donate money and ask your family and friends to pledge money to sponsor your walk. You can donate online using a credit card at the following URL: http://www.aidswalkchicago.org/downloads/DonationDirect.pdf or fill out a Donation Form which will be available in lecture and lab. After you fill out the form bring a check made out to AIDS Walk Chicago to your TA or me. For students who want to walk with the instructors and class, we will meet at the Northeast corner of Columbus Drive and Balbo St at 9:45 AM and do the one mile walk together. Due to the generosity of the Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Issues we will have a free shuttle bus to give us a ride from campus to Grant Park and back. The bus will pick us up in front of CCC at 9:15 AM and bring us to the race. It will pick us up at Grant Park to return to CCC at 11:30 AM. For travel directions and more information check out the UIC AIDS WALK WEBSITE.
Public Transportation to Grant Park: see above
Week 1 DISCUSSION - Introduction
A) Is there a need for all living things to grow and reproduce?
B) Are human beings animals? Are we like all other living things in this sense?
C) How many years do human parents spend nurturing their children? Why do you suppose our species invests so much time and effort raising each offspring?
D) Do we need sex? Is there a difference between sex and gender? If the human race could do away with sex and reproduce asexually, would that be a good idea?
E) What is DNA? Do you think much of your own future was predetermined by your genes? If you could select the genes of your potential children, would you?
F) What have you heard about cloning? Is is most useful for people or animals? Is it ever a good idea to ban the development of new technology?
Answer all of the above questions to receive credit for the
Discussion. Starting this week the Discussion questions will be
handed out at the Thursday Lecture and you will need to answer all
questions before coming to your next Discussion to receive full
credit.
Week 2 DISCUSSION - Mitosis, Growth and Development
Half of the class will be asked to COMPARE each pair of terms to identify what they have in common. Half of the class will be asked to CONTRAST each pair of terms to identify how they are different. Come to class knowing how to do both. You will need to present both sides to each other in order to have a more complete view.
1. Compare and contrast each pair of terms.
Cytokinesis & Mitosis
Haploid & Diploid
Gene & Chromosome
Homologous & Heterologous
Gametes & Somatic Cells
2. What is the germ line?
3. In a human, when is cell division most rapid? Why do you suppose it slows down?
NAME:
Before coming to Discussion answer the questions above
Week 3 No Discussion or Lab this week - instead an Internet Report is due next week.
Week 4 DISCUSSION - Meiosis, Recombination, and Genetic Diversity
Half of the class will be asked to COMPARE each pair of terms to identify what they have in common. Half of the class will be asked to CONTRAST each pair of terms to identify how they are different. Come to class knowing how to do both. You will need to present both sides to each other in order to have a more complete view.
1. Compare and contrast each pair of terms.
Mitosis & Meiosis
Gene & Allele
Recombination & Reproduction
Independent Assortment & Recombination
Gametes & Zygote
2. What is the biological purpose of recombination?
3. What would happen if sexual organisms simply combined their DNA together without meiosis? Could this continue indefinetely?
4. Are humans genetically different from one another?
How about members of the same family?
How about fraternal twins?
How about identical twins?
5. Name some differences among humans which might have a genetic basis.
What role might this variation serve?
NAME:
Before coming to discussion, answer the questions above
Week 5 DISCUSSION - MATE CHOICE
1. The long tails of peacocks is thought to be the result of a balance between female choice (males with more outlandish tails mate with more females) and survivorship (the outlandish tail reduces male life expectancy). Can you think of characteristics in other animals that seem to be a balance between female or male choice and survivorship?
2. Think of some physical, physiological, or behavioral attributes of human reproduction where the maximixing mating success or reproduction might come into conflict with survivorship.
Do you think any of these have resulted from evolution by natural selection?
Do you think evolution by natural selection continues in humans at present?
3. Height in humans may represent such a trait (on average taller men die at a younger age than shorter men born in the same year).
Do you think women prefer to meet, date, and marry men of above average height?
How could one test this preference?
4. Female and male mate choice in animals can result in the evolution of a variety of morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits. Consider what lions might write in a "personal ad":
Single, long-maned, ferocious, three year old, male lion seeks large pride of females with highly developed skills of hunting and cub rearing. Seeks long-term relationship. Cubs from previous pride's male will be eaten.
Cooperative, cunning, and stealthy group of sisters, aunts, and daughters seek pride males with proven skills at maintaining and expanding pride-lands. While a pair of brothers is preferable, a single particularlyfearsome and capable male would be acceptable.
Write a "personal ad" for another species of animal:
5. Would "personal ads" reveal anything about female and male mate choice in humans?
NAME:
Before coming to Discussion answer all of the above questions.
Week 6 DISCUSSION - Genetic Diversity, Genetic Counseling, Eugenics
What is genetic variation? Is genetic variation a good thing?
What is genetic counseling?
Do you think most people seek genetic counseling before or after they have alreay given birth to one child?
Why do you think this is so?
What is Presymptomatic Testing? Name 1 genetic disorder that can be identified by presymptomatic testing. How is this test conducted?
What is Chorionic Villi Sampling? What is this procedure used for? How is chorionic villi sampling performed?
As a genetic counselor, you are visited by a couple who wish to have children. There is a history of Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy in males in the woman's family but not in the man's family. Because his family shows no history of this genetic disease, are they at risk of having affected children? What steps would you take to assess this situation and educate this couple?
Would the world be a better place if there were no Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy? How about genetic dwarfism? Who should have the right to make judgements like this?
What is Eugenics? What were its goals and practices?
Describe some of the consequences of eugenic practices. Is the "improvement" of the human race worth the risk of restricting freedom, dehumanizing people, or disasterous biological consequences?
If not, then how does one draw the line between counseling to prevent genetic disease and practicing eugenics?
NAME:
Before coming to Discussion answer all of the above questions.
WEEK 7 DISCUSSION - Cloning Debate
In your opinion, will the following achievements be possible within the next ten years? Check the applicable box BEFORE watching the video: The Science of Cloning.
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Using cloning technology to create genetically improved sheep.
Using cloning technology to create genetically improved corn.
Using cloning technology to create genetically improved humans.
Cloning a grape plant.
Cloning 100 identical grape plants.
Using cloning technology to "re-activate" the developmental potential of human cells in tissue culture.
Using the above technique to create replacement organs for a person in advance.
Making a clone of a human from an embryo cell.
Making a clone of a frog from an embryo cell.
Making a somatic cell clone of a sheep from a differentiated skin cell.
Making a somatic cell clone of a sheep from a stem cell.
Making a somatic cell clone of a human using stem cells.
Making 100 clones of the same person from embryo cells.
Making 100 somatic cell clones of a person from a skin sample.
Using cloning technology to modify a person's entire genetic makeup after birth.
Using cloning technology to alter the genetic makeup of a person's liver cells.
Sequencing the entire human genome.
Understading the function of all human genes.
Understanding the entire human genome.
In your opinion, are the following practices morally acceptable or morally unacceptable? Check the applicable box BEFORE watching the video The Ethics of Cloning.
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Cloning a person's embryo cells at birth to create a "back up person"for replacement parts (the brain of the "back up person" is prevented from developing fully and the person is kept around doing various menial tasks).
Performing an organ transplant from such a "back up person" to save a person's life.
Having a baby (by normal means) to serve as a bone marrow donor for a sibling or parent. (This baby is then raised in a normal environment.)
Using somatic cell cloning to create a baby to serve as a bone marrow donor for a sibling or parent. (This baby is then raised in a normal environment.)
Using somatic cell cloning so that an infertile couple who wants children can have a child that is genetically related to one of them.
If this couple is not infertile, but simply wants a clone of the father.
If this couple is a lesbian couple.
Using somatic cell cloning to make an identical genetic copy of an adult sheep.
Using somatic cell cloning to make an identical genetic copy of an adulthuman.
If that human is an infertile woman who wants to have children?
If that human long-deceased president of the United States?
If that human is a rock star who is still alive, and it is done without his/her consent?
Passing a law to prohibit the somatic cell cloning of people, so that none of the last nine scenarios can take place legally.
Selling one's own kindney for $10,000.
Saving a person's life by performing a kidney transplant using a kidney that was bought for $10,000.
Passing a law to prevent either of the above two scenarios from taking place legally.
Using cloning technology to create one's own idea of the perfect human.
NAME:
Before coming to Discussion answer the above questions.
WEEK 8 DISCUSSION - Fertilization & Early Development
In your next laboratory you will observe fertilization of sea urchin eggs and the early development of the zygote.
1. Define each of the following terms and list its biological significance. Use another sheet of paper. Come to discussion ready to discuss how these events and structures might differ between humans,chickens and sea urchins.
CLEAVAGE
MORULA
BLASTULA
GASTRULA
ARCHENTERON
FERTILIZATION MEMBRANE
ZYGOTE
BLASTOCYST
TROPHOBLAST
IMPLANTATION
CHORION
CHORIONIC VILLI
PLACENTA
UMBILICAL CORD
2. Why can't more than one sperm fertilize the same egg? Describe the acrosome reaction and discuss how it prevents multiple fertilizations.
3. Do humans have an aquatic ancestor some time in their evolution? How about an ancestor that layed eggs? List several features of human reproductive biology that are inherited from a common ancestor and describe how they differ from their orginal state.
Name:
Before coming to discussion, answer the questions above.
WEEK 9 DISCUSSION - Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Laboratory and Discussion this week are concerned with the contraception of reproduction and the contraception of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Read pages 542-544 in your text if you haven't already done so.
1. In terms of contraception against reproduction, what is meant by the phrase "percent effectiveness"? Is any method of contraception perfect?
2. Which forms of contraception also serve as prophylactics?
3 What are some of the side effects of artificial birth control pills?
4. How can you get a STD? Do you always know when you have contacted a STD? Name some STD's that often don't cause immediate physical symptoms?
5. Besides sexual transmission, are there other ways these pathogens can be transmitted? Name two pathogens usually associated with STD's that can be spread by routes other than sexual intercourse.
6. What is currently the most common sexually transmitted disease? What causes it?
7. Worldwide, where have the most reported cases of AIDS been located?
8. Approximately what percentage of the people harboring the virus actually know they have it? Does anyone really know the answer to this question?
NAME:
Before coming to discussion, answer the questions above.
WEEK 10 Discussion - Contraception of Reproduction and STDs
Laboratory and Discussion this week are concerned with the contraception of reproduction and the contraception of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
The intent is not to disregard your individual moral perspective. The intent is to focus on the biology of reproduction and STDs, and their interaction with different methods of contraception. The intent is to focus on information because of the significant and long-lasting personal consequences that ignorance of this information can have.
While your textbook (pages 129-142) contain some information that can help you complete this lab, much more complete information can be accessed through www.healthfinder.gov under the topics contraception (from the FDA) and sexually transmitted diseases (from the NIAID).
1. What is meant by the term abstinence in the context of sex? Is abstinence absolute? Is abstinence long-term?
2. In terms of contraception against reproduction, what is meant by the phrase "failure rate"? What is another term that can be used as a synonym for "failure rate"?
3. In terms of contraception against STDs, what is meant by the phrase "effectiveness rate"? What is another term that can be used as a synonym for "effectiveness rate"?
4. How can you get a STD?
5. For your preferred method of contraception against reproduction, describe how and why it works. State what its rate of failure is. List what you believe are the reasons this contraceptive fails to always prevent reproduction.
NAME:
Before coming to Discussion answer the above questions
WEEK 11 Discussion - Breastfeeding
Please report directly to the lab 3098 SEL rather than the Discussion room. There will NOT be a Discussion section on breast feeding. Instead, you will need to access the La Leche League International (LLLI) website at www.lalecheleague.org and answer the following questions. Turn in the answers at the beginning of the lab period before our invited speaker's presentation on breastfeeding.
1. When do women begin to produce milk and what triggers the production of milk?
2. How will a woman need to change her diet and lifestyle in order to breastfeed?
3. How long will mothers produce milk?
4. How does the baby get milk while nursing?
5. In what ways is breastfeeding valuable and beneficial? A) to the mother, B) to the child, C) to the family
6. How many times in a day will a nursing baby want to feed, how often?
7. Will an infant that is eating solid foods be ready to be weaned from breastfeeding?
8. How can breastfeeding affect the nursing mother's "period"?
9.. How can breastfeeding affect the nursing mother's relationship with her partner?
10. At what age should a nursing child be weaned from breastfeeding?
NAME:
Before coming to Discussion answer the above questions.
Much of your grade for the laboratory portion of Bios 103 will be based on a joint project you will conduct with a lab partner. This exercise is intended to facilitate your independent research into subjects that interest you, your ability to work in groups, and your ability to present your ideas to others. Choose a lab partner from your own discussion section. You and your partner will jointly choose a subject for both your poster presentation and your poster essay. Subjects may include any aspect of human reproduction and development. Pick a subject you both find interesting, and neither of you has already chosen for your internet essay. It is important to pick a lab partner you feel comfortable collaborating with, and to find a reliable means of keeping in touch with that person (email works well).
Essay
Each partner will write their own essay on the subject you and your partner have chosen. Joint essays will not be accepted (this includes two essays which are essentially similar, with minor changes). The essay should be 5-7 pages. Essays must be typed. Essays must also contain a minimum of six citations of written material, such as books, newspaper articles, journal articles, and magazine articles. Visit THE LIBRARY at UIC or elsewhere. Mention any web sites you visited as well.
Essays should also have a clear title, an introductory paragraph, some form of conclusion paragraph, and a section entitled literature cited which lists references alphabetically.
Example. (Book Citation)
Lewontin, R.C. 1974. The genetic basis of evolutionary change. Columbia University Press, New York.
Example. (Journal Article)
Felsenstein, J. 1985. Phylogenies and the comparative method. American Naturalist 125: 1-15.
Poster Presentation
You and your partner have already choosen a subject for both your poster presentation and your poster essay. Hopefully, both of you have done some work on the essay and have a rough draft or at least a well developed outline. (DO NOT PROCRASTINATE, if you don't have either of these start working immediately!!). Together, you and your lab partner will come up with a ten minute oral presentation and a poster on your topic of choice. These must include:
1. A fifteen minute oral presentation to be delivered by both of you. Either decide to take turns, switch speakers after five minutes, or invent another way in which you both participate. Please DO NOT plan to just improvise, these attempts usually don't go well. Be ready for five minutes worth of questions.
2. A Poster- You have seen plenty of examples. Forty eight inches by thirty six inches is a good size. Make it stand by itself (structurally), so the class can see it as you deliver your oral presentation. Use illustrations, figures, and text. Remember to credit your sources on a section entitled "references".
This project is due in lab week 11 or 12, and it is worth 40 points. One criterion used for grading will be our assesment that both lab partners participated equally. Originality is also important, DO NOT SIMPLY REPRINT A WEBSITE OR OTHER SOURCE.
DISCUSSION - GERMLINE GENE THERAPY DEBATE
For next week's discussion, read the attatched passage, taken from: Biotechnology, an introduction by Susan R. Barnum Copyright 1998 by Wadsworth publishing company. For next week's lab, visit the American Journal of Ethics in Medicine (1996) webside.Read the platform article on germline gene therapy: www.med.upenn.edu/~bioethic/ajem96/somatic96html/
Also visit the ethics in genetics website: www.med.upenn.edu/~bioethic/genetics/articles.html
Read one of the articles on gene therapy or genetic enhancement such as Choose Better Human Genes or Can Genetic Enhancement be Prohibited. Next week's laboratory involves a debate, so come to lab armed with positions and facts to back up either side of the argument.
What is gene therapy?
How does somatic cell gene therapy differ from germline gene therapy?
Which type of gene therapy is currently being practiced?
Name some diseases which are potential targets for gene therapy.
Is Albinism a disease? How about a genetic predisposition for obesity?
What methods might be used to deliver the desired genes to the target tissues?
NAME: Before coming to Discussion answer the above questions.
DISCUSSION - GENETIC COUNSELING
What is genetic counseling?
Do you think most people seek genetic counseling before or after birth?
Why do you think this is so?
What is Presymptomatic Testing?
Name 1 genetic disorder that can be identified by presymptomatic testing.
How is this test conducted?
What is Chorionic Villi Sampling?
What is this procedure used for?
How is chorionic villi sampling performed?
As a genetic counselor, you are visited by a couple who wish to have children. There is a history of Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy in males in the woman's family but not in the man's family. Because his family shows no history of this genetic disease, are they at no risk of having affected children? What steps would you take to assess this situation and educate this couple?
Would the world be a better place if there were no Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy? How about genetic dwarfism?
NAME:
Before coming to Discussion answer the above questions.
DISCUSSION -
DISCUSSION - Hormones & Menopause, Current Perspectives in Biology, reading Chapter 25, pp. 98-104
In Discussion this week we will focus on hormones and menopause. While we are focussing on the role of hormones in women, another reading (Current Perspectives in Biology, reading #29 pp. 112-117) considers the utility of Hormone Replacement Therapy for both males and females.
What is menopause and how is it physiologically identified?
What is the intent of hormone replacement therapy in any medical context?
What is the intent of hormone replacement therapy specific to menopause?
WHAT ASPECTS OF MENOPAUSE IS THIS HORMONE TARGETED AGAINST? WHAT BENEFITS DOES THIS HORMONE PROVIDE?
ESTROGEN
PROGESTERONE
NAME:
Before coming to Discussion answer one of the above questions.
DISCUSSION - In Vitro Fertilization
Discussion reading: "Attacking the Causes of 'Silent' Infertility" pp.118-122 in Current Perspectives in Biology " 1996, Edited by Shelly Cummings.
Laboratory reading: In Vitro Fertilization pp. 544-545 in Biology: Science and Life " 1996, by Michael Cummings.
Your Discussion and Laboratory experience will be facilitated if you have visited one of the following web-sites before coming to class.
www.resolve.org (a support organization for infertile couples)
www.opts.com (Organization of Parents Through Surrogacy)
www.inciid.org (International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination)
What is the difference between infertility and "silent" infertility?
Is infertility primarily a man's problem, a woman's problem, or a mutual problem?
Who is at greatest risk for STD infection? What implications may this have for future fertility?
How can past STD infection affect men's reproduction? Women's reproduction?
Of the 11 "new" ways to conceive a child (Figure 28.19 on p. 544)
Which methods are the most ethically challenging?
Which methods are the most legally challenging?
NAME:
Before coming to Discussion answer all of the above questions.
DISCUSSION - In Vitro Fertilization, Post Menopause
Discussion reading: In Vitro Fertilization pp. 544-545 in Biology: Science and Life " 1996, by Michael Cummings.
The following web-sites contain some information on IVF for women past menopause
www.resolve.org (a support organization for infertile couples)
www.opts.com (Organization of Parents Through Surrogacy)
www.inciid.org (International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination)
Organize the 11 "new" ways to conceive a child (Figure 28.19 on p. 544) under the following headings.
Both parents fertile Father infertile Mother infertile Both parents infertile
Which methods are the most ethically challenging? Why?
Which methods are the most legally challenging? Why?
Which methods require a surrogate mother to carry the developing embryo and fetus?
What would be required to treat a post-menopausal woman and return her to the physical condition where follicles would mature and menstruation be initiated?
NAME:
Before coming to Discussion answer all of the above questions
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