bio article 2025 Flashcards
What trait might human ancestors have possessed that could have implications for health and space travel?
The ability to hibernate
Hibernation could enable survival during extreme conditions and may influence modern health strategies.
What is torpor?
A state that slows metabolism and reduces body temperature
Torpor allows animals to survive extreme conditions.
What are the potential benefits of understanding hibernation mechanisms?
Medical breakthroughs for conditions like Alzheimer’s, stroke, and heart disease
Insights from hibernation could lead to protective therapies.
What is comparative genomics?
A method comparing genomes across species to identify genes linked to hibernation
It helps in finding protective molecules against diseases.
Which neurotransmitter is key in inducing torpor?
Adenosine
It activates pathways that can lower body temperature and slow metabolism.
How does hibernation protect animals during extreme conditions?
Reduces metabolic activity and conserves energy
It helps resist cold temperatures and food scarcity.
What role might hibernation play in space travel?
It could reduce metabolic needs and protect against cosmic radiation
NASA and ESA are interested in hibernation for long-duration missions.
What adaptations do hibernating mammals show?
Lowered metabolic rate and body temperature
These changes help endure environmental stress.
What medical applications could arise from hibernation research?
Treatments for heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and osteoporosis
Hibernation-inspired drugs may help in various medical conditions.
How does the body regulate temperature during hibernation?
Through metabolic suppression
This regulation is crucial for energy conservation.
What is the evolutionary significance of hibernation?
It allows survival in harsh conditions, indicating an ancestral trait
Hibernation represents an adaptation to environmental challenges.
What challenges exist in activating hibernation genes in humans?
Complex physiological changes and long-term effects are unknown
Multiple genes are involved, making the process complex.
Fill in the blank: The common ancestor of all mammals is believed to have been a _______.
hibernator
This suggests that hibernation may be an ancestral trait.
True or False: Hibernation can protect against diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
True
Hibernation mechanisms show resistance to these conditions.
What physiological changes occur in small mammals during torpor?
Drastic lowering of body temperature and survival without food or water
This is more pronounced than in larger mammals.
What are the implications of using adenosine pathways in medical treatments?
Potential to induce hibernation-like states in humans
This could help with metabolic disorders and aging.
How could Spaceworks induce hibernation in astronauts?
By lowering body temperature to around 32°C
This aims to reduce metabolic activity significantly.
What is the significance of the raphe pallidus in hibernation?
It controls automatic bodily functions and may regulate metabolic states
Important for understanding the neurological basis of hibernation.
What is the potential impact of hibernation on aging and longevity?
Lower metabolic rate reduces oxidative stress and enhances cell repair mechanisms
This could slow aging processes.
Fill in the blank: Hibernation involves the suppression of _______.
metabolism
This is critical for energy conservation during extreme conditions.
What ecological factors might drive the evolution of hibernation?
Selection pressures related to extreme cold and food scarcity
These factors influence the survival and adaptation of species.
What is the hypothesis regarding the effect of temperature on oxygen consumption in mice?
As temperature decreases, oxygen consumption in mice increases.
Describe a method to measure oxygen consumption in mice at different temperatures.
Place a mouse in a respirometer. Measure oxygen uptake by recording the movement of liquid in a capillary tube. Repeat at different temperatures (e.g., 10°C, 20°C, 30°C) in a temperature-controlled chamber.
Identify two variables that should be controlled in the experiment.
- Use mice of similar age, size, and species
- Keep activity levels constant (e.g., ensure mice are at rest)
