Argument - book versus street smart
From
page 48 to 51, Shenk discusses the “book smarts” versus “street smarts” and
points out studies done by various researchers. On page 48, he states that
“Reading expresses genes. Speaking expresses genes. Mentoring expresses genes”.
Is it possible for our basic actions to be changing our gene expression even as
we read or respond to other student’s blog posts? Based on what we have learned
with gene expression, variation, and inheritance, is it possible for specific
actions be tracked within families to determine what specific actions can alter
gene expression? Is being “book smart” better than “street smarts”, or is it
the other way around? Would either be considered an evolutionary advantage for
us humans? Use the two researchers works on those pages in the book, as well as
in the AP Biology book chapters 15 and 17 for genetic variation, inheritance,
and gene expression.
-Shivani Thakker (shivanithakker1357@gmail.com)
As we react to different situations, our body is put through different environments. Each environment changes our gene expression. Yes simple actions, such as responding to this prompt, are changing my genetic expression. As I respond, the ECM is changing slightly creating a new environment for the cells. This new environment allows my brain to make new connections and links allowing for easier access to memories. As basic actions are repeated over and over again they become embedded in our brain and muscle memory. But these new genetic expressions "applies only for today."(Shenk 51)
ReplyDeleteI don't think that specific actions, like reading a certain article, can be tracked through out generations. There are so many basic actions that humans do each day that it would be impossible to track the changes in genetic expression. Having a parent read an article will not change the genes of their offspring, therefore making it impossible to track. However, if the parent were to read an article and then teach their offspring what they learned, that would change the offspring's genetic expression.
After a person has done some basic action their gene expression changes. More activators may be present allowing for more transcription to occur, creating more expression from certain genes. According to Campbell, "the congregation of many polymerase molecules... helps the cell make the encoded protein in large amounts"(Campbell 333). These molecules are sythesized when signaled by positive feedback when the protein is needed. If the body is repeatedly put in situations where the protein is needed, then that gene will be expressed in greater quantities.
According to Scott Berkun, "street smarts kicks book smarts ass." (http://www.scottberkun.com/blog/2010/book-smarts-vs-street-smarts/)"Street smart comes from experience,"(Berkun)and in my opinion, experience changes your genetic expression much faster than reading it in a book. Street smarts in an evolutionary advantage because it allows people to think on their feet and act quickly instead of having to read about it first.
A biological theme that relates to this response is Regulation. As mentioned before, the amount of protein synthesized in a cell is regulated by operons and activators. As certain actions are repeated over and over again, the genes related to those actions are "turned on" more often and become more efficient.
Joshua Gerber (grbr_jsh@yahoo.com)
Our daily routine actions are actively changing our gene expression. As Shenk repeatedly points out, “intelligence is an ongoing dynamic process” (51). The actions that we routinely accomplish are embedded in our mind, which make permanent changes to our gene expression. Actions that we are newly learning, are also changing our gene expression by getting used to the activity and expressing the correct genes to aid in that process.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is seen that basic actions affect gene expression, it would be impossible to track those changes through the generations because there are so many. Simple actions can’t be tracked. However, major changes in a generation can be tracked from there on out. For example, if there is a shift in thinking and mentality, which the parents pass down to their children, that can be tracked. Major changes in the body can also be tracked through the generations. For example, obesity can be not only traced to lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet, but also to genes because of the multitude of people that experience this. Research has shown that “y genotyping the DNA from children with obesity, the researchers found two novel variations - one near a gene on the 13th chromosome and the other near chromosome 17 - that had never been previously implicated in other studies as related to obesity” (CBS).
In my opinion, street smarts is much more effective in advancing the population than book smarts. I’m not saying that book smarts is useless or ineffective, just that street smarts is more useful. Learning from books just teaches one theory, without experience. Street smarts revolves around experience and the act of doing. Actually doing the act allows the person to test the skills he or she has learned. Between street smarts and book smarts, street smarts is definitely the evolutionary advantage. Having the experience at doing something, as compared to knowing how to do something, allows for a faster, more efficient response.
An example of this can be seen in the immune system. The first response of the acquired immune system is to engulf the antigen by antigen presenting cells - dendritic cells, macrophages or B cells. The Helper T-cells then next attach to the APC’s MHC molecule with CD4. Through consecutive releases of cytokines, B cells and Cytotoxic T cells are activated to fight the pathogens through promoting lysis or phagocytosis. Some activated B and T cells become Memory B and T cells and travel through the lymphatic system. When infected with the same antigen a consequent time, the Memory cells are alerted by the macrophages and can immediately initiate the swift response without the initial recognition sequence. The memory cells immediately activate B and T cells to combat the pathogen. (Campbell 942). By combatting the same antigen another time, the efficiency of the immune system is increased, proving that experience is essential to a rapid response.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57411270-10391704/childhood-obesity-genes-identified-scientists-say/
Rohan Dasika (rohandasika@gmail.com)