Biology 202 Web Paper 3

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Revered psychoanalyst and authoritative thinker of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Sigmund Freud, said that the “most complicated achievements of thought are possible without the assistance of consciousness”. One aspect of Freud’s work in unlocking the secrets of the human mind dealt with the cognitive unconscious—cognitive mental processes that influence behavior without the need for active awareness. Examples of the cognitive unconscious at work include automatic behaviors such as biting one’s nails or shaking one’s leg during long periods of sitting still. In addition to habits, recent research suggests that the unconscious mind also has bearing over decision-making and in some cases, is better than conscious thinking.

Imagine: a large garbage bag, clearly full of unwanted items such as used clothes, books, and maybe the occasional string of Christmas lights.  Just a big pile of junk.  Peeping through the top of the bag, a pair of melancholy eyes follow your gaze.  It’s a stuffed bear.  The stitched mouth seems to form a sad smile, as if to say, “Please take me...  I can be your friend.”  What is it about the oddly shaped pieces of fabric, stitched together and stuffed with cotton, with two button “eyes” and a sewed on mouth that make us feel sorry for the abandoned toy?

Why do people believe that there is a god? Some experts, such as anthropologist Scott Atran, believe that our propensity for religious belief is a byproduct of evolution (Brooks). New scientific evidence is suggesting that the neuronal pathways of our brain both reinforce religious belief and are altered by it.

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In America's fast paced society, it seems as though everyone is looking for a quick fix solution to their problems. We are always looking to make ourselves better, and perform at optimum level. Every commercial on television, and every dietary supplement passed in the store is a constant reminder that human beings are inefficient. These images only fuel the fire for the quest for the perfect mind and body. In order to keep up with our fast paced environment, many people are turning to enhancement drugs that allow for more efficient function. Many individuals who are considered healthy and "normal" are continually turning to self-diagnosis and self-medication in the hopes of eliminating imperfections.

Marketed under the trade names "Equal" and "NutraSweet," aspartame has met the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements as a food additive for the past thirty years, yet the artificial sweetener continues to be a subject of public controversy.  Recent concerns have focused on potential neurotoxicity in humans, since its metabolic byproducts are phenylalanine, known to cause brain damage in humans with an inborn inability to metabolize this amino acid, and aspartic acid, an excitatory neurotransmitter (Stegink et al., 1837).

Adam Zakheim

May 15, 2009

Bio202 – Prof. Grobstein

Web Paper #3

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