Problem
Topic: Reading Study Guide (RSG)
Genetic Twists of Fate (GTOF) Chapter 6
Human Genetics (BIOL 167)
Study Questions
A. In the early 1920's, what were the two cruel choices that diabetics faced?
B. What is another name for type 1 diabetes? For type 2 diabetes? What is the basis for each of these equivalent names?
C. Levels of what chemical compound are not sufficiently controlled in a person with diabetes? What is the source of this chemical compound in a person's body?
D. Explain why a common physical symptom of diabetes is extreme thirst?
E. What is the normal function of glucose in the body?
F. What hormone is associated with regulation of glucose levels? What organ produces this hormone?
G. What type of chemical compound is this hormone (carbohydrate, protein, nucleic acid, or lipid)? Based on your answer to this question, what two steps (one word each) are responsible for the production of this hormone?
H. Distinguish between the physical attributes of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
I. What is the Latin basis of the term insulin?
J. Approximately what % of diabetic cases are type 1?
K. What are typical treatments for the two types of diabetes?
L. Approximately what % of the American population has a form of diabetes?
M. Distinguish between identical and fraternal twins. Explain how observation of diabetes in these two populations has supported the role of our DNA code in diabetes.
N. What is a more formal genetics term for "versions of genes"? What one-word term describes the way these versions are produced?
O. What does it mean if a trait is highly heritable?
P. The author states that more than half of the genetic risk for type 1 diabetes is determined by a region of chromosome 6. Your friend reads this sentence and ask you "What is chromosome 6?" What is your response?
Q. True or False: Insulin is a cure for type 1 diabetes. Explain your response.
R. True or False: Insulin-producing cells of the pancreas are destroyed by both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
S. Two strategies for curing diabetes are to replace the pancreas or "refurbish" it with pancreatic cell transplantation. What are three reasons that author states these options aren't feasible?
T. What is the "extraordinary property" of stem cells that makes them a viable alternative for treating diabetes?
U. What are the two categories of stem cells, based on their source? Which one is regarded as the best one to use and why is this the case?
V. Distinguish between totipotent, pluripotent, and multipotent stem cells. Which type are embryonic stem cells classified as?
W. What are the four technical hurdles the authors indicate must be overcome before embryonic stem cell therapy will be a viable option for curing diabetes?
X. According to the authors', why is the use of human embryonic cell lines an ethically charged issue?
Y. What is the promising alternative to embryonic stem cells? How does this alternative alleviate the ethical issues discussed in question 24?
Z. Approximately how many insulin injections did Elizabeth Hughes Gossett take during the approximately 60 years from her initial treatment with insulin until her death at age 73?