Understanding Humankind

This piece of work is titled Understanding Humankind. It started as a study into human emotions whilst I was studying for a Psychology qualification at college. I am interested in science and biology and began writing in 2017.

Understanding Humankind

Humans communicate by: -

Calling each other by name or some other term of endearment

Mirroring each other – they may unconsciously copy the other person’s body language and gestures

Touching each other

Listening intently to what is being said and making eye contact

Smiling and showing appreciation where appropriate.

Humans are largely governed by their emotions. How they think and feel will affect the way that they behave.

Psychologist Paul Eckman identified 6 basic human emotions in 1972. These were believed to be the building blocks from which all emotions originate.

They are: -

Happiness

This is characterised by feelings of contentment, joy and satisfaction. In Mindfulness people are advised to show gratitude for all the good things in their life.

Shown by smiling, laughing, a relaxed body language and a positive attitude and tone of voice. People may cry because they are happy.

This is thought to be the human emotion most people strive for. Happiness means different things to different people. A positive outlook can lead to living longer and better health and wellbeing.

Sadness

This is defined as a transient emotional state characterised by low mood and grief

A prolonged period of sadness is known as depression. People may be tearful or become quiet and withdrawn.

People use various coping mechanisms like becoming withdrawn and avoiding interaction with others. They may self - medicate by using Drugs or Alcohol. These things tend to make people feel worse in the long run as they often dwell on their unhappiness.

Fear

This plays an important part in survival as it activates the flight or fight response.

Your muscles become tense, your breathing rate will intensify, and your mind becomes more alert. In that moment you decide whether to face up to your fear or turn and run.

Fear is the emotional response to an immediate threat. Fear of a potential threat is known as Anxiety.

Repeated exposure to a fear leads to familiarity and acclimatisation i.e your body and mind become used to it.

Disgust

This is a strong disliking or displeasure at something. People may turn away from the offending object.

They may wrinkle their nose if there is an unpleasant smell or taste and curl their upper lip. This is the body’s way of protecting itself from disease as people are unlikely to eat food which has gone bad as it may make them ill.

People can also be disgusted by the way others behave and man’s inhumanity to man.

Anger

This is a powerful emotion shown by feelings of hostility and frustration

When a threat generates feelings of anger, you may be inclined to fight in order to protect yourself.

People may square up to the object that is making them angry or turn away.

They will raise their voice, frown or glare at the object. They may become red faced and hit, kick or throw things. Some people become tearful when they are angry as they are frustrated.

While anger is often thought of as a negative emotion, it can be used in a positive way by motivating people to take action and find solutions to problems.

Uncontrolled anger can escalate into violence, abuse or aggressive behaviour.

Anger is linked to coronary heart disease and diabetes.

Surprise

Surprise is caused by something unexpected. These can be unpleasant and shock or scare you. They can also be positive such as a surprise gathering for your birthday or an unexpected gift.

People may raise their eyebrows and stare open mouthed. They may jump back or scream, yell or swear at whatever has startled them.

Research has shown humans are more likely to notice surprising events.

Humans, however, are very complex creatures and it was later discovered that the six basic human emotions can be combined to form secondary emotions, much like a colour wheel combines colours to make new colours.

Another contributing factor in human behaviour are their hormones. Most notably, Oestrogen in females and Testosterone in males. Especially during puberty and menopause and when people are sexually attracted to each other.

Serendipity

Everything happens for a reason. What is meant to be will be.

Synchronicity

I often glance at the clock when it is showing 11:11. This is supposed to be a good omen. Time and space are on a loop known as the space time continuum. History has a habit of repeating itself. For instance, after the first world war the people held street parties to celebrate the end of the war. People gathered in large crowds and thousands of people were infected with a virus called Spanish Flu and there were numerous deaths like what has happened during the Corona Virus pandemic in the Year 2019/2020.

Twosday

22 02 2022 is known as Twosday. This is a palindrome which means it reads the same forwards as well as backwards. It was said to be a message from the angels.

Chromosomes

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Eggs are all female to begin with. The sperm determines whether a baby is a boy or a girl. If a Y chromosome is present, the child is male. If an X chromosome is present, the child will be female. People with Down Syndrome have an extra chromosome.

In the bee population, all eggs begin as female. The fertilised eggs become male (drone) bees and the unfertilised eggs develop into female bees.

Chromosomes are in functional pairs in the nucleus.

Genes

A gene is a short length of DNA found in a chromosome that codes to a particular characteristic or protein.

Alleles are different forms of the same gene. The gene is for eye colour. The alleles will be blue, green or brown.

DNA molecules are large and complex. They carry the genetic code that determines a person’s characteristics.

The backbone of the DNA double helix consists of alternating phosphates and deoxyribose sugar molecules, Interlinking bases hold the two sides together.

There are four different bases: -

A = Adenine

T = Thymine

C = Cytosine

G = Guanine

A and T pair up. C and G pair up.

Everyone’s DNA is unique, apart from identical twins.

DNA works by providing a code for cells to make a particular protein (enzyme).

Amino acids are then joined in this order. This is known as the base triplet hypothesis.

Chromosomal abnormalities

Haemophilia is caused by a recessive allele on the X chromosome in males. In females it is caused by two recessive alleles.

Cystic Fibrosis is where only homozygous recessive allele (When two alleles are the same e.g BB)

Huntington’s disease affects nerve cells in the brain. This is caused by the presence of one dominant allele.

An individual with Down Syndrome has three copies of the 21st chromosome rather than two,

Genetic screening

This is offered to detect foetal abnormalities. A needle is inserted into the womb and some amniotic fluid is taken.

Amniocentesis carries a small risk of miscarriage so is only offered to mothers at greater risk; -

Those who have previously carried a foetus with a genetic abnormality.

Those with a family history of a genetic condition

Older mothers

Those where possible problems have been identified in an earlier medical examination e.g. blood test.

Pregnant mothers are offered blood test between 10-14 weeks of pregnancy to detect signs of Down Syndrome. An amniocentesis will be offered to confirm results.

Cloning

Dolly the sheep was cloned 25 years ago.

Animals are being cloned for a variety of purposes but copying genetic material creates as many problems as it solves.

Endangered animals are already being cloned such as Przewalski’s horse. Around 2,000 remain but they lack essential genetic diversity because they are all descended from just 12 individuals.

The little foal, Kurt, was bred using 40-year-old frozen cells from a stallion whose genes are underrepresented.

It is hoped that Kurt will restore this last genetic diversity through his descendants.

Sniffer dogs are regularly cloned. Semen from cloned stud animals is available to buy online.

Horses are regularly cloned for sport such as polo, thoroughbreds and jumping horses.

Although clones may have the same nuclear DNA, this doesn’t guarantee an exact replica. Environment affects the way the animal will turn out.

Just like identical human twins, they may be similar, clones will never be truly identical. Are you familiar with the phrase “I have created a monster?”

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