Homework #3 is due 11/19Bonus #2 is posted

http://www.freshminds.com/animation/alan_watts_theater.html

Do telomere dynamics link lifestyleand lifespan?

Pat Monaghan and Mark F. HaussmannTRENDS in Ecology and Evolution

Vol 21 pg 47

Telomere length varies in different parts of adults:

telomeres - mitosisstomach &blood cells....short - often

muscle &brain……….long - rare

liver &kidney……..short - rare

gametes……long

Telomeres are non-gene DNA at the ends of DNA strands.

Telomeres are more sensitive DNA damage, and may act as a sensor for overall DNA damage level in a cell.

Does telomere length indicate longevity?

Zebra finch

Telomere length in red blood cells of different birds

Fig. 1 TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution Vol 21 pg 47

Age (years)

common tern

Telomere length in red blood cells of different birds

Fig. 1 TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution Vol 21 pg 47

Age (years)

albatross

TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution Vol 21 pg 47

Telomere length in red blood cells of different birds

Leach’s storm petrel

Telomere length in red blood cells of different birds

Fig. 1 TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution Vol 21 pg 47

Zebra finch

Leach’s storm petrel

common tern

albatross

Telomere length in red blood cells of different birds, different species have different patterns of telomere length and age

Fig. 1 TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution Vol 21 pg 47

Fig. 2 TRENDS in Ecology and Evolution Vol 21 pg 47

Telomere length in white blood cells of different aged people. Telomere length

generally declines, but there is wide variability

THE LANCET • Vol 361 • pg 393

Telomere length and mortality in people over 60 years old

upper 50% of telomere length

lower 50% of telomere length

prop

orti

on s

urvi

ving

%

years after initial assessment

Telomere length may indicate biological age.

Early stress may cause premature telomere degradation.

For life to exist, the information (genes) must be passed on.

{Mitosis:producing more cells}

{Meiosis:producing gametes}

The Cell Cycle

Fig 2.9

Mitosis:A DNAPerspective

Mitosis plays a role in:• Growth and Development

• Repair and Turnover of Cells

• Reproduction

–Asexual

startofmitosis

Fig 2.10

TheMitoticSpindle(micro-tubules)

SisterChromatids

A basic look at mitosis