Article: Bowhead whales may unlock the secrets to a long, healthy life

Author: Kate Baggaley

Date Published: January 6, 2015

Website: Science News

Link: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bowhead-whales-may-unlock-secrets-long-healthy-life

Summary: Recently, scientists have unlocked the genome of the Bowhead Whale. This large mammals genes actually have characteristics to protect themselves from cancer and problems related to aging. The whale can live over 200 years, which makes it the longest living mammal. They also have 1000 times more cells than humans, but at the same time manage to have lower risks of cancer. Scientists analyzed and compared their genes to that of humans, and found many differences, including mutations and duplications, that are tied to cancer, cell division and aging. This suggests that the whales are able to repair damaged DNA much better than humans, as well as keep abnormally dividing cells in check to prevent cancer. The whales somehow do not accumulate damaged DNA, which of course means that they can live longer without developing age related diseases. Since this is still an early stage in the process of unlocking the key to the Bowhead Whale's ability to live so long, scientists hope to identify the specific genes that make the whale so special.

Relevance: This article relates to the unit we had about molecular genetics because it talks about the Bowhead's Whale's special genes that allow it to live for so long. In class we have learned about genes and how they provide specific traits, as well as the mutations that can occur when replicating DNA. This is also discussed within this article, and how the whale's DNA can repair and keep abnormal cells in check, allowing the whale to live longer without developing cancer or other diseases, which of course is a desirable trait that the science world has always been looking for.

5 comments:

AnonymousJanuary 12, 2015 at 9:15 AM
Where are these whales found in the wild?
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AnonymousJanuary 12, 2015 at 2:39 PM
Are the whales' age-related diseases similar to ones that humans have?
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AnonymousJanuary 20, 2015 at 12:02 PM
@Alica Lee
They are found in northern parts of the world, namely the Arctic Ocean.
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AnonymousJanuary 20, 2015 at 12:03 PM
@Shayla Triantafillou
Yes, the age related diseases are similar to human diseases. They can repel cancer, and other diseases that are also common to humans.
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AnonymousJanuary 21, 2015 at 7:02 PM
What is the difference between how whales and how humans repair damaged DNA? For that matter, do other species also repair damaged DNA differently?
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For this assignment, you will need to find a media file online that is related to a topic from the current term in Honors Biology. You will upload these files here and write a text description of the file and its relevance to the curriculum as part of your post. Be sure to include the full URL for the website, author's name and date of the publication if available. Your piece of media must relate to something from the current term and must have been published within the last calendar year.

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