Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The Biological Consequences of Single-Parent Homes

DNA contains all of the genetic material necessary for the expression of traits that involve development, reproduction, and function of the body. It consists of a double-stranded molecule held together by nitrogenous bases. And because it contains so much important information, it needs to be protected from damage. This is the main function of telomeres. Telomeres, as described here, are essentially protective caps that can be found on the ends of each DNA strand. They prevent fraying, and therefore loss of information, so that our cells can function at maximum capacity. Each time a cell undergoes mitosis, the telomeres on the end of its DNA shorten. Essentially, telomeres serve as a means of measuring one’s biological age. 
DNA Telomere
Source: https://www.tasciences.com/what-is-a-telomere.html 

In addition to mitosis, telomeres have been observed to shorten in response to chronic stress, obesity, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Now, research has uncovered a new correlation between children raised in single-parent homes and shortened telomere length (TL). This paper, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, elaborates on these ideas and investigates juvenile TL as a response to father loss. Researchers found that association between TL and absence of a father was significant “across all types of loss, and by a child’s sex, race/ethnicity, and age at exposure.” Any type of father loss between birth and age 9 resulted in a 14% TL reduction. Divorce and incarceration resulted in 6% and 10% TL reductions respectively. Death was associated with the largest TL reduction at 16%. 

These statistics are especially concerning due to the fact that shortened telomeres have been linked to a string of health complications; meaning children raised in single-parent households are more at risk than those in two-parent households. Based on previous research that investigated chronic stress and TL, this makes sense. While our cells are not aware of parental involvement, it is already known that children raised in single-parent homes are more likely to be exposed to financial, nutritional, emotional, sexual, and physical stressors; among others. Dealing with any of these for long periods of time does not go without effect; even on the cellular level. However, more basic biological research needs to be done before we can confidently conclude about this correlational relationship.

Posted by Meagan Gustafson (8)

10 comments:

  1. I found your blog post very interesting. If more research is done in exploring how shorter telomere length is related to being in a single parent home, it will add to the nature vs nurture debate. My question is, what causes the "environmental" shortening of telomeres to occur? I know they shorten every time a cell undergoes mitosis, but do cells divide faster or degrade from environmental stressors?
    Posted by Lauren Shone

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  2. Very interesting, although environmental factors affect us in many ways especially psychologically I would never assume it would as far as affecting us on a cellular level .
    -fredjah desmezeaux

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  3. This is a very interesting post. The idea of telomeres is really interesting to me. Since telomeres shorten when the cells in our body divide, and things like stress, obesity, poor diet, as well as lack of exercise, does that suggest that these things are also associated with our cells dividing at a faster rate? That would be very interesting if things like stress and diet actually shorten the length of the cell cycle. Also, are telomeres associated with physical markers of age like grey hair or wrinkled skin.

    Posted by John Mariano

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    1. You bring up an interesting point in regards to the rate of mitosis. In the papers I have read about telomere length, researchers have observed different environmental stressors; but they have not discussed whether or not these make our cells divide faster. It is a very logical question to ask, though. As far as age markers go, telomeres are indicators of biological age; but unlike hair or skin they also directly age us. Telomere length is responsible for many age-related diseases, as well as the physical condition of our cells.

      Posted by Meagan Gustafson

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  4. I was really surprised after reading this. I was aware that telomeres can shorten as a result of mitosis but I didn't know that certain situations we face could also affect it. I'm curious if more research is to be done to find out more about the process as well as if it is preventable. Also, I assume this can be an issue with children who are not in single parent households, but at what rate? Are we able to prevent this loss, if we reduce our stress? It will be interesting to see what results more research will bring so that we all can try and reduce our chances of this occurring.

    -Matt Cayer

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  5. This article is quite interesting as it highlights not only how people's lifespan changes its length in single parent households but also in general how the way someone lives has huge consequences on when they will die. I wonder why telomeres are shortened with different exposures to different environments. I wonder why telomeres get shortened in the first place.

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  6. This is a very interesting topic. I was not aware that such important biological processes of Telomeres protecting the DNA from damages could be affected by psychological factors. As you mentioned, there are correlations between telomeres shortening and prolong stress, obesity, lack of exercise, and poor diet. I am wondering what physiological responses does our body have from these factors? For example, what occurs when our body is under chronic stress that it triggers the shortening of telomeres.

    -Emily Wong

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  7. I remember reading a study done like this with Chinese children in foster care. I am curious if we have statistics on the long term effects of telomere shortening. I also would like to see more studies on whether telomere can be combated by love and affection can help combat this effect.

    Posted by Lauren Mason

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    1. You bring up a very interesting point in regards to combating telomere length. I have not come across any papers that have investigated this. I did read some similar to the one you mentioned, though. The researchers looked at children in environments with "non-supportive parenting," and also children that experienced father loss (via death, separation, or incarceration). We know that shortened telomere length has been linked to various health complications. Children in these environments are more likely to experience them in the long-term compared to children that have not experienced these types of chronic stress.

      Posted by Meagan Gustafson

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