Cell growth is a result of a combination of processes happening in gradual states. However, the most important of the processes are mitosis and meiosis process. In order to properly understand the process of mitosis and meiosis it is important to know the specific parts of the cell that conduct this process. Chromosomes are thread like structures composed of nucleic acid and proteins found in the nucleus of a cell. It is the part of a cell that contains genetic information in the form of genes. The nucleus is the cell center and is the platform where cell division is facilitated. In essence, the process of mitosis causes chromosomes to divide equally into two parts having the same genetic information same to the parent nucleus. Conversely, meiosis is a process that causes the cell to divide into half its chromosome composition. The process of meiosis leads to four haploid cells distinct from the parent cell.
The articles selected for review discuss significant real world issues on cell growth involving these processes. In essence the articles were selected to show the importance of these processes to life and living things. All processes of growth, reproduction and disease are controlled by mitosis and meiosis and have significant implications on chromosomes.
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The first article describes the process of mitosis as in relation to proteins called cyclins which build up until they reach a critical level gradually in the cell division until they gradually set of a series leading to normal cell division and hence mitosis (Schrope, 2000). In essence, the article which covers a Harvard professor puts it that a better understanding of how cells grow and divide could lead to eventual cancer control, replacement of missing limbs and better healing methods from cases such as burns. In essence, the article describes a process of cell destruction where cells are being studied to discover what triggers division in damaged cells. The scientists are trying to answer the question on how cells know when to destroy cyclins. Understanding the process will help in discovering the basic building block process.
The second article discusses the process of life where scientists used sperm made in the laboratory to father healthy baby mice. In order to develop properly, the cell must go through a crucial and delicate rearrangement of its DNA—the process of division is meiosis(Gallagher, 2016). Meiosis enables cells to differentiate as required in each part of the body. A successful process of meiosis allowed the cells to differentiate and form perfect mice fetuses. In the process of in-vitro fertilization, the Chinese scientists were able to reproduce mice that later gave birth to their own healthy baby mice. The exploration is one of the many that are in search of treatments to mitigate male infertility. Essentially, the use of spermatids—which are an earlier stage of sperms allows collection of more genetic information to successfully fuse with female eggs and enable the process of meiosis. Consequently, using the richer form of a sperm ensures that even when cell division by meiosis takes place, the cells have enough genetic information so that the fertilized egg has a normal amount of chromosomes.
Lastly, the third article discusses the implications of chromosomes in detail. It gives an account of a study conducted, reported on the England Journal of Medicine of about 15841 pregnant women whose babies identified of having an extra copy of chromosome 21 had a more than 80% chance of actually having Down syndrome (Saey, 2015). In the same article it is described of a prenatal test that examines a mother’s blood for accurate detection of Down syndrome. The importance of the discovery cannot be stressed enough. The discovery of potential disease causing chromosomes as in gene mapping could lead to even more discoveries on the ability of chromosomes to cause different conditions. In this way, the screening method described in the article gives relevant insight into the development of better screening methods. In the same way, the better screening methods show better test methods that increase the probability of discovering different conditions.
In essence, the above articles all have one thing in common—they discuss the process of life in cell division in a very intricate manner. Understanding the process of mitosis or cell multiplication could aid in veterans and people who have had their arms or legs amputated to be triggered to grow back. In the same way, the ability of scientists to produce healthy rats in the laboratory set way for complete mitigation of infertility. The discovery of earlier sperm stages containing rich genetic information, like growing of arms could lead to families having children they deserve. Further, the potential to detect chromosomes that could lead to major syndromes is important to the preservation of life. Discovering the essential chromosomes could lead scientist to map and root out potentially dangerous copies even in the fertilization stage. It could lead to a new age where perfect babies are born. Consequently, the removal of chromosomes can also be complemented by the addition of immunity boosting chromosomes.
The significance of the article to the study of biology can as well not be overstated. Meiosis and mitosis as life builders are important processes that give a clear picture of nature’s operation processes. In a similar manner they help in appreciating inventions such as animal cloning, gene mapping and genetic modification in plants. All the mentioned activities are observed to improve the nature of the human cell by altering the genetic components. The process of reproduction in living things is also greatly improved by genetic improvement and detection processes. Proper policies should therefore be put in place in order to allow scientist who are conducting such experiments to get the easiest time doing their jobs.
In conclusion, biology as the study of life is built on meiosis and mitosis as clearly exhibited by the above discussed articles. However, ethical considerations into life altering and creation processes should be put into consideration in order to avoid human rights violation problems. In essence, the experiments should be protected in ways that promote the improvement of human quality of life while still remaining within the bounds of human ethics.
References
Gallagher, J. (2016, February 25). Lab-grown sperm makes healthy offspring. BBC News , Retrieved from: www.bbc.com/news/health-35658650
Saey, H. T. (2015, April 1). A more accurate prenatal test to predict Down syndrome. Science News , Retrieved from: www.sciencenews.org/article/more-accurate-prenatal-test-predict-down-syndrome
Schrope, M. (2000, April 15). Destroy and grow. New Scientist , Retrieved from: www.newscientist.com/article/mg16622348-100-destroy-and-grow/
