My strong interest in biology developed during my AS biology course. I particularly enjoyed learning about evolution and was intrigued by how a collection of seemingly insignificant mutations could accumulate over time to produce complex organisms from simple prokaryotes. This led me to read Richard Dawkins’ “The Selfish Gene” which provided me with a fascinating perspective on the theory of natural selection. Dawkins’ gene-centred take on evolution could possible explain the rapidly mutating strains of the Ebola virus, through ensuring the survival of the species and maximising its inclusive fitness. Making use of resources such as New Scientist magazine has helped me recognise the critical role of science in reinforcing improvements in human welfare, for instance the current development of the …show more content…
Chemistry undoubtedly occupies an important place in the field of biological sciences, since both overlap in terms of understanding biochemical processes at a molecular level. Maths has enhanced my comprehension of the quantitative and statistical aspects of biology in addition to improving my problem solving and analytical skills. In psychology I have gained an insight into the workings of the mind through a biological perspective, taking into account factors such as genetics, hormonal imbalances and neurochemical processes in explaining human behaviour.
My ability to learn fast and independently played a significant role in me being granted an academic scholarship in my private school in the Philippines, a distinction awarded to only ten out of five hundred students. Despite relocating to the UK in Year 10, I was still able to quickly adapt to the new education system and catch up on my own. This hard work and dedication ultimately paid off when I accomplished the top GCSE grades in my
The. The “Challenging Darwin”. Bioscience. 2(2005). The 'Secondary' of the 'S 101, eLibrary.
In chapter one of “The Selfish Gene,” Dawkins speaks about how Darwin was the first person to develop a good theory to answer the question of “why are people?” he goes on to explain how Darwin explained that evolution occurs when a person has the qualities that allow humans to survive at the expense of other individuals. In addition, he writes of how Darwin explains how to pass on genes, generation after generation, through offspring. Everyone knows of Darwin’s theory of evolution, but Dawkins tries to introduce a particular interpretation of the evolutionary process. He believes that evolution should not be studied at the level of singular individuals or groups, but instead at the level of genes. He also believed that there are two main characteristics of genes manifested during the struggle for survi...
Anyone with even a moderate background in science has heard of Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution. Since the publishing of his book On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection in 1859, Darwin’s ideas have been debated by everyone from scientists to theologians to ordinary lay-people. Today, though there is still severe opposition, evolution is regarded as fact by most of the scientific community and Darwin’s book remains one of the most influential ever written.
With his provoking work entitled The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins attempts to answer such questions as he proposes a shift in the evolutionary paradigm. Working through the metaphor of a "selfish gene", Dawkins constructs an evolutionary model using a gene as the fundamental unit of selection, opposed to the more commonly accepted belief of the species as the unit of selection.
The TED talk addressed the issue of infectious disease and the ways in which disease is spread using the examples of cholera and malaria. The speaker Paul Ewald discussed the ways in which humans may have the ability to reduce their exposure and spread of infectious disease through applying the theory of evolution by natural selection. This spread of disease poses a threat to humans as the bacteria that cause the disease evolves with humans and become resistant to the medical interventions. The speaker addressed some key issues and posed some important solutions towards the betterment of human lives. The field of biological science studies when it comes to human’s works towards understanding the evolution of humans and the threats to the survival of our species. Understanding the evolution of disease is important in creating ways to protect humans against these diseases and properly treating those infected. The 21st century has been seen some successful cases in which science has been successful in the irradiated disease through the use of research and development of antibiotics but there are still diseases that plague countries especially in the developing world. Lack of information in regards to diseases and the effects of disease on humans can be critical to human survival if diseases evolve beyond our control which can lead to a pandemic.
Please explain your reasons for wanting to participate in the Garcia Center Summer Scholar Program.
I have always been inspired by the workings of chemistry and mathematics. My studies of these subjects have developed my understanding and have made me pursue my interest in these two topics. I want to take up chemistry as it involves a large amount of mathematics which I value and understand to be challenging, yet very enjoyable, as there is always an alternative route to obtain the answer. Additionally, I am drawn to the course because it is a mixture of all these exacting subjects, forming a degree that is very demanding and stimulating. Chemists are constantly thinking of new ways to produce viable drugs containing different isomers to improve the pharmaceutical sector using mathematical equations. Chemistry is about innovation, applying information to new areas and how to do things better than they were before, the degree appeals to and fascinates me.
The concept of evolution surrounds us and is used to explain many behaviors and helps us to gain understanding of life’s history, but still people have many misconceptions when it comes to considering the theory. Some of the most common ones, which I have previously discussed, include that it is always progressive, that life evolves randomly and that survival of the fittest is simply about the strongest or biggest animals. Whilst some features of these ideas are correct to an extent, they are mostly inaccurate, and the fact that these are widely believed concepts it suggests that they are commonly thought amongst
As a food science major with an interest in nutritional sciences the regulation of lipid synthesis would be a comprehensive topic that would allow me to develop my research abilities in a setting applicable to both my major and my interests. Using molecular biology and chemical processes, assisting in determining what mechanism is used to how phosphorylated PA phosphatase would allow me to learn both new lab techniques and new concepts in the fields of microbiology and biochemistry. My interests in food science have always been with either food microbiology or food chemistry with some interest in sensory science. I hope to explore all of these fields of food science during my time here at Rutgers to aid me in finding what I love to do. Along
David Quammen’s article strives to connect the topics, controversy, and historical significance, that surround Charles Darwin, and more accurately, his theory of evolution. Quammen’s article “Was Darwin Wrong?” discusses a variety of topics; including controversy with evolutionary theory, evolution by natural selection, the life of Charles Darwin, and even antibiotic resistance in diseases. Quammen starts his article with an explanation of the word “theory” and its importance in the field of science. He explains that theory in the scientific world is tested, that it must be believable and comprehensible with the information and evidence one has access to today.
In Dawkins’ novel, he aims to prove how the explanation is not a religious answer but a biological and cumulative natural selection. According to Dawkins, the theory of Darwinism is what changed the mystery of our...
Dawkin would explain a firefighter’s decision to risk his life to save a stranger by saying that there is a built in urge to promote one’s genes but when humans
The Selfish Gene Critical Analysis Paper In 1859, Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution in a book that we know today as the Origin of Species (Darwin 1859). In 1865, Gregor Mendel, unaware of Darwin’s discoveries, published his results of his genetic experiments with pea plants along with his laws of genetic inheritance, which has earned him the title as the Father of Genetics (“Gregor Mendel (1822-1884)”). Finally, in 1976, Richard Dawkins compiled all the nuts and bolts of the research collected before his time and carefully and skillfully produced The Selfish Gene (Dawkins 1989).
I am currently taking Maths, Chemistry and Biology to Advanced Higher, all of which are challenging and stimulating subjects. They have all influenced me in different ways and were integral in my decision to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. They have also helped me obtain a foundation of core skills and extended knowledge to hopefully prepare me undertaking my desired degree. There is no doubt that Maths and chemistry have helped fine tune and advance my problem solving skills and think in a more logical manner, all of which I believe to be essential for this degree.
The idea of a world progressing, or evolving, in science hasn’t been around forever. In fact, the Enlightenment period in the seventeen hundreds with scientists such as Isaac Newton the man who discovered gravity, Louis Pasteur the chemist who invented the vaccine to prevent rabies, Charles Darwin the father of evolution, Benjamin Franklin the first scientist to toy with the dangers and possibilities of electricity, and so many more wonderful scientists was the start of the “progress” that revolutionized our world. Of the scientists who progressed our world, few shaped modern biology the way Charles Darwin managed to. Thomas Kuhn saw the progress people like Darwin made not as truth seeking, but simply as filling in another piece of the puzzle of science, challenging the very definition of the Scientific Revolution. After reviewing Kuhn’s idea of science, Darwin appears to play a substantial role in the paradigm shift from the science of old to new. Kuhn looked at Darwin and saw science evolve much as Darwin’s organisms appeared to evolve