Is it possible that humans are more similar to fish than presumed? According to a study by scientists at the University of California, San Diego, zebra fish now provide the opportunity to study the complexities of the human immune system. In these unique creatures, there are identified dendritic cells that are units in the mammalian immune system. Even though we are different species, the workings of immune system cells are basically the same. Since Zebra fish are translucent, it makes taking the changes while experimenting on their immune system a lot easier. Scientists had found some other units of the human immune system in these fish, like T and B lymphocytes, but it wasn't until the recent findings of the dendritic cell that made working on Zebra fish ever thought possible. The other benefit is that they reproduce rapidly which allows the study of genetic mutations. These unique fish provide more benefits than one!
NOS Themes:
- This science is based on evidence because the idea was previously encountered but never acted upon until recently.
- This science is collaborative with the scientists working in the University of California, San Diego
- Lastly, this science is a role of motivation and curiosity of finding an easier and more beneficial test subject.
Here is the source of the article: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/biology-current-events-for-kids.html
For some more information about Zebra f
ish, take a look at this!
This article is so interesting because whenever you think of human testing on animals, you always think of guinea pigs, mice, and chimpanzees. I would've never thought of the zebra fish! I never would have related the human immune system to fish. I found this other article which closely relates to your article in showing how the zebra fish, of all things, relates to the human immune system.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.plospathogens.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.ppat.1002349
wow that would be great If we could find a fish that we would be able to study and relate to us. another nature of science theme that i found was the role of credibility because the article would need to be trusted in order to be published. I also found the role of chance because it is only by chance that the scientists found the dendritic cells. I think that it would be very helpful to be able to study genetic mutations and hopefully be able to help humans with mutations by studying these fish. http://science.education.nih.gov/animalresearch.nsf/Story1/Zebrafish:++Helping+Scientists+Understand+Human+Genetic+Diseases
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