Malaria, a mostly tropical and subtropical region disease, is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells (WHO, 2010).
The disease symptoms, which appear between the 10th and the 15th day after the bacteria transmission, include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
If is not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening because it disrupts the blood supply to vital organs. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines (Dawn, 2010).
The Philadelphia Inquirer released the results of an investigation that describes the relation between the malaria and a very common disease among black Caribbean, black African and other black origin people: the Sickle cell Anemia (SCA). According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s investigation, for most the malaria is not fatal. The key to their resistance is on their genes…
Genes are all paired with each parent supplying one part of each gene. If either hemoglobin gene undergoes a mutation, the hemoglobin shape will be changed (see Figure 1). This particular mutation called the Sickle Cell gene is tiny, but it is enough to change the shape of the hemoglobin molecules it makes (Philadelphia Inquirer, 2010).
People with two copies of the sickle cell gene have the disease. People who carry only one copy of the sickle cell gene do not have the disease (they have the sickle cell trait), but may pass the gene on to their children (NHS, 2010).
| | NORMAL | | SICKLE CELL |
| | | | | | MUTATION | | | | |
| DNA | G A G | --------------> | G T G |
| | C T C | | C A C |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | ˅ | | ˅ |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| RNA | G A G | | G U G |
| | ˅ | | ˅ |
| PROTEIN | [GLU] | | [VAL] |
| | NORMAL | | MUTANT |
| | PROTEIN | | PROTEIN |
Figure 1. Point mutation causing the Sickle cells anemia. Image courtesy of Evolution Berkeley, 2010
Dr. Ronald Mangles studies the genes that make hemoglobin an essential part of blood cells. Hemoglobin, as a protein, transports oxygen and carbon dioxide in the red blood cells and it has the four levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary and quatemary. The 3rd and 4th levels are directly affected because of the mutant gene.
He says that people that have one copy of the sickle cell gene were able to survive the malaria infection. The sickle cell gene had an advantage in that particular case. We all have gene mutations and if the environment changes, they might react and have a good or a bad consequence. In this case, one copy of the sickle cell gene might be beneficial, but two copies might not. In this case, all the hemoglobin is affected not only half of it. The affected ones will suffer all the sickle cell disease’s effects (Philadelphia Inquirer, 2010.
The Biology is one of the sciences in charge of studying human diseases, such as malaria and the sickle cell anemia. The objectives of this science that are covered in the study and treatment of the disease are:
- The study of all living things.
- The study of the cellular basis of living things.
- The study of the genetic bases for inheritance in organisms.
- The study of evolutionary relationships among organisms and the diversity of life on Earth.
Biology cannot work by itself against those diseases. Therefore, it needs help from other sciences, which will be listed below along with their direct responsibility:
- Chemistry. The study of matter and the changes it undergoes (Oñate, 2010).
It has discovered new compounds and medicines that can fight against the disease. It has also helped to study the structure of the Plasmodium molecules and how they affect the human red blood cells.
- Physics. The study of the properties and interaction of matter (Oñate, 2010).
It studies how the energy processes of human beings are being affected by malaria.
- Mathematics. The study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. (The free dictionary.com, 2010)
It has determined the number of population that might get affected by the disease. Mathematics had helped to establish which of the not-born babies might carry the sickle cell disease.
- Geography. The study of the earth and its features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including human life and the effects of human activity (The free dictionary.com, 2010)
It has established wherever the diseases might be more common. For example, the SCA and the malaria are often affecting black origin people regions.
- Computer Science. The technological management of data. (Velazquez, 2009)
It has created computer model that help people understand how diseases work and the direct damages they might cause.
- Ethics. Philosophical discipline that establishes the moral nature of actions, in this case, with respect to the application of the new biological technologies that have been developed. (Velazquez, 2009)
It is in charge of the relation with patients. Ethics should take care of the implications of new biological technologies.
Besides other sciences direct implications, Biology’s branches take place in the study and treatment of the diseases. Some of these are:
· Anatomy - the study of the animal form, with an emphasis on human bodies
· Biochemistry - the study of the chemical reactions required for life to exist and function, usually a focus on the cellular level
· Bioinformatics - also classified as a branch of information technology (IT) it is the study, collection, and storage of genomic data
· Biotechnology - a new and sometimes controversial branch of biology that studies the manipulation of living matter, including genetic modification
· Cell Biology - the study of the cell as a complete unit, and the molecular and chemical interactions that occur within a living cell.
· Epidemiology - a major component of public health research, it is the study of factors affecting the health and illness of populations
· Evolution or Evolutionary Biology - the study of the origin and decent of species over time
· Genetics - the study of genes and heredity.
· Macrobiology - the study of biology on the level of the macroscopic individual (plant, animal, or other living being) as a complete unit.
· Medicine - the study of the human body in health and disease, with allopathic medicine focusing on alleviating or curing the body from states of disease
· Microbiology - the study of microscopic organisms (microorganisms) and their interactions with other living things
· Molecular Biology - the study of biology and biological functions at the molecular level, some cross over with biochemistry
· Pathobiology or pathology - the study of diseases, and the causes, processes, nature, and development of disease
· Parisitology - the study of parasites and parasitism
· Pharmacology - the study and practical application of preparation, use, and effects of drugs and synthetic medicines (Bellaonline, 2009).
This case involves macromolecules as well. The macromolecule term is applied to four conventional biopolymers: nucleic acids, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. Nucleic Acids carry the genetic information and they are directly involved by the moment that gene mutations take place. In the other hand, hemoglobin is a protein that gets affected by the sickle cell anemia.
The biosphere is too large and complex for most ecological studies. In order to study the relationships and functioning of living beings, scientists look at different levels of organisation. All living beings have 12 levels of organisation. Each level is of increasing complexity and all of them work together to maintain life. (Biggs et al, 2009; Rafique, 2009).
1. Atom. The smallest unit of an element.
2. Molecule. Substance composed of two or more atoms.
3. Cell. The smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of independent functioning.
4. Tissue. An aggregation of morphologically similar cells acting together to perform one or more specific functions in the body.
5. Organ. A differentiated part of an organism comprised by complementary tissues.
6. System. A group of physiologically or anatomically complementary organs
7. Organism. An individual living thing.
8. Population. Group of organisms of the same species that interbreed and live in the same place at the same time.
9. Biological Community. Group of interacting populations that occupy the same geographic area at the same time.
10. Ecosystem. Biological community and all the abiotic factors that affect it.
11. Biome. Large group of ecosystems that share the same climate and have similar types of communities.
12. Biosphere. The highest level of organisation, which is the layer of Earth (from high in the atmosphere to deep in the ocean) that supports life. (Biggs, et al 2009; Velazquez, 2009; Oñate, 2010).
In this particular case, the first level of organization that is affected is the Cell. This occurs when the mutation takes place inside the nucleus. After that, the Tissue (veins and liver) gets affected by the mutant red blood cells. Some Organs, such as muscles, react to the change in the blood circulation. Then, some Systems, like the Circulatory and Digestive, start working in an incorrect way causing sickness to the Organism (human body). The Population gets affected when the parents that carry the SCA transfer the gene to their children. Finally, the Biological Community, both the mosquitoes and human, carry the disease.
Key interventions to control malaria include: prompt and effective treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapies; use of insecticidal nets by people at risk; and indoor residual spraying with insecticide to control the vector mosquitoes (WHO, 2010).
Some scientists suggest that, after the conception, the offspring should be analyzed in order to detect if it is going to carry the Sickle Cell disease. It the offspring is affected, the parents might get rid off of it.
Malaria and SCA are very harmful diseases that destroy lives. In my opinion, parents should “know” who they are going to get married with. It will be easier to identify the possible gene mutations that could be carried to their children. They should be responsible for their children’s health. If it is very possible that the offspring can carry the disease, parents should adopt other kids. There are many children without parents and many parents that want to have children.
Howard Thruman
REFERENCES
World Health Organization (2010) Malaria. URL: http://www.who.int/topics/malaria/en/ Last updated: Unknown; Last accessed: 14/09/2010
Dawn Institute (2010) Promising new malaria drug discovered. URL: http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/sci-tech/55-promising-new-malaria-drug-discovered-sy-01 Last updated: 03/09/2010; Last accessed: 14/09/2010
Ruiz Portillo, Zohemy (2010) Lesson 1. Introduction to Biology. URL: http://www.biculturalscience.blogspot.com; Last updated: 15/09/2010; Last accessed: 15/09/2010
NHS Choices (2010) Sickle cells disease. URL: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sickle-cell-anaemia/Pages/Introduction.aspx; Last updated: 19/02/2010; Last accessed: 16/09/2010
Bartzat, Alegra (2009) Branches of Biology; URL: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art28786.asp; Last updated: unknown; Last accessed: 15/09/2010
Rafique M. (2009) Levels of Organization of Matter. URL: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/16390603/7-Levels-of-Organization; Last updated: 15/11/2009; Last accessed: 14/09/2010
Oñate Ocaña L (2010) Biología 1. CENGAGE LEARNING; pages: 11-15.
Velazquez M (2009) Biología 1. ST Editorial; pages: 15-22.
