The Applications Biological Concepts - Essay Example

The Applications Biological Concepts a). DNA in forensic science The legal system depends on forensic pathologists who are in a position of isolating DNA and characterizing it to help in the identification of suspects who may have committed a crime. The suspect’s DNA is matched with the sample DNA collected from the crime scene to assess the levels of matching, so that is the match is 100%, the DNA samples collected the crime scene can be used as evidence against the suspect (Samuels, Davies and Pope, 2013). Forensic scientist also uses DNA when solving paternity disputes (Samuels, Davies and Pope, 2013; Murphy, 2010). For instance, a woman may seeks the intervention of the court to give orders compelling a man pay for the upkeep of the children, the woman’s claims that a particular man is the father of her child may be refuted by that man. In such cases, the DNA of the child and that of the suspected father will be matched before the court compels the man to take full responsibilities of taking care of the child. The other use of DNA involves the identification of fire victims with burnt bodies that are beyond recognition (Bieber et al. 2006). In such cases, the DNA from the victims should match with the DNA from their close relatives before being allowed to take the corpses for burial. b. Population evolution and microbial life Scientist uses the microbial populations to help in recycling of environmental wastes. If microbial life was not evolving, our environment would consist of heaps of wastes that are difficult to recycle using microbes, however, evolution of populations in the microorganisms like Fungi has made it possible to degrade environmental contaminants like lignin. Microbes have important application in the wastewater treatment practices. The microbial life helps in the removal of organic matters from the sewerage system. Such practice makes it safe to return the water to the streams and the rivers. Therefore, the evolution of microbes is utilized in the treatment of sewerage. The diversity of microbial population in the environment plays a critical role in nutrient recycling. Scientist use microbes in the discovery of essential products through a process called biosynthesis. Examples of biosynthetic products are the vitamins C and vitamin B12, which are obtained from using the fermentation practices of specific bacteria. Besides, fermentation practices are the main method used currently to obtain antibiotics. c. Biological diversity evolution The study of biological diversity evolution is important to scientist so that they can design and come up with better drugs that can combat microbes and other diseases that change their genetic makeup (Bijlsma and Loeschcke, 2012). Scientists use the changes in the genome to design better strategies that takes into account these changes hence improving the available drugs and the combating of serious infections like Malaria parasite, which keeps changing its genome to evade available remedies. The study of species, with interest in biodiversity and their evolution mechanisms help scientists to conserve some of the extinct species of animals and plants. The scientist will assess some of the environmental stressors that trigger some of the species to be eradicated from the normal habitats and identify ways of conserving the species (Bijlsma and Loeschcke, 2012). Conservation of species is important for ensuring the ecosystem is balanced, the best way of attaining this is through such studies that aims to develop policies based on scientific evidence. Microbes also evolve with changes in the environmental conditions. Therefore, the death of animal and plants that have essential nutrients locked in the carcass would never be available if there were no microorganisms that could break down the carcasses and release nutrients to help sustain the life of other microbes (Mergeay and Santamaria, 2012). Therefore, scientists use the concept of evolved microbes that adapt to a mechanism of breaking down dead plants and animals and making nutrients available to other microbes and plants as a way of breaking down organic matters by inducing the responsible genes artificially. The cycle makes the circulation of nutrients a constant biological practice. d. Plant and animal evolution Environmental changes have triggered the plants and animals to evolve and adapt to the changes hence avoiding being wiped away. Scientist would identify the genes responsible for the evolution in tune with the environmental changes and transfer the gene to other plants that could not cope with such changes hence biodiversity conservation (Diamond, 2012). A good example is the plants or animals that can survive the harsh climates, the scientist can identify the gene responsible for such function and transfer the gene to other organisms that lacks such adaptation (Carroll, et al., 2010). The scientists use the evolutionary process of both plants and animals to limit or maintain the patterns of the organism and the selected species in space and time. They carry these manipulations using the concept of genetic manipulation and the propagation of the organismal (Mergeay and Santamaria, 2012). These practices help in maintaining and controlling the evolution processes in the habitat. Besides, the concept of evolution can help scientist predict the trends that can be used to make future plant strains that can resist emerging diseases hence better crops and more foods to feed the growing populations (Mergeay and Santamaria, 2012; Carroll, et al., 2010). e. Population growth The study of population growth is an important attribute of species assessment of species because scientist can use the knowledge on changes on the population to identify factors that promote or limit the growth and therefore enhance or limit the growth (Kingsolver and Diamond, 2011). Microbiologists use the concept of population growth to determine the best environment that can support a particular pathogen that is under study. In most cases, the population growth will depends on nutrient availability and other environmental factors like temperatures, hence one would be able to design studies with one factor as a limiting factor and assess its impact on population growth (Bijlsma and Loeschcke, 2012). Population growth is essential when assessing the multiplication of pathogens and their response to therapeutic agents (Kingsolver and Diamond, 2011). Therefore, scientists use this concept to design drugs with high efficacy. f. Biomes and ecosystems Biomes are the major types of ecosystem because they consist of similar characteristics like soil, climatic, and biological elements. Scientists studying plant adaptations in the tundra regions will come up with plants that would survive similar conditions or carry out modeling of other species required to cope with such climatic and weather conditions hence preparing with the bio-conservation practices (Bailey, 1998). Some diseases found either in the dessert biomes or the tropical biomes will give the scientist vital information on what medication to use in which areas because some pathogens that have adapted to a particular area may not be treated with a medication that is effective against a similar pathogen found in a different biome or ecosystem (Bailey, 1998). Some biome like the terrestrial biome may provide essential medicinal compounds as well as other biological resources not found in the dessert or tundra biomes, hence the need to study such attributes and conserves them for future generation. Reference Bailey, R.G. (1998). Ecoregions: The Ecosystem Geography of the Oceans and Continents, Springer-Verlag Bieber F. et al. (2006). Finding Criminals Through DNA of Their Relatives Science. 312(5778): 1315–16 Bijlsma, R. & Loeschcke, V. (2012). Genetic erosion impedes adaptive responses to stressful environments. Evol. Appl. 5:117–129. Carroll, S., Kinnison, M.T. & Bernatchez, L. (2010). In light of evolution: interdisciplinary challenges in food, health, and the environment. Evol. Appl. 4:155 –158 Diamond, J. (2012) Evolution, consequences and future of plant and animal domestication Nature. 418, 700-707 Grant, F., Mergeay, J., Santamaria, L., Young, J. & Watt, A.D. (2010). Evolution and biodiversity: the evolutionary basis of biodiversity and its potential for adaptation to global change. Conference report 1–19 March 2010. Retrieved fromhttp://www.epbrs.org/PDF/EvolutionandBiodiversity_longversion_final.pdf. Kingsolver, J.G. & Diamond, S.E. (2011). Phenotypic Selection in Natural Populations: What Limits Directional Selection? The American Naturalist. 177 (3): 346 Mergeay, J. & Santamaria, L. (2012). Evolution and Biodiversity: the evolutionary basis of biodiversity and its potential for adaptation to global change. Evol. Appl. 5(2): 103 – 106 Murphy, E.E. (2010). Relative Doubt: Familial Searches of DNA Databases. Michigan Law Review. 09, 291-348. Samuels, J.E., E.H. Davies, & Pope, D.B. (2013). Collecting DNA at Arrest: Policies, Practices, and Implications, Final Technical Report. Washington, D.C.: Urban Institute, Justice Policy Center. Read More