Text c. Prehistoric reptiles and reproduction

Exercise 6. Before listening to the text discuss the following questions:

1. How do reptiles reproduce?

2. How did prehistoric reptiles – dinosaurs – reproduce?

viviparous – живородящий cetaceans – китообразные

Exercise 7. Listen to the text (Script 40) and explain what dolphins and killer whales have in common with ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs.

Exercise 8. Listen to the text again and explain what the following figures refer to in the text:

4.7 1.5 1.8 2/3 1987

Exercise 9. Using information from the text prove that:

1. The set of bones inside female plesiosaur fossil belonged to its fetus.

2. Giving birth to one offspring is a risky adaptive strategy.

3. Reproduction strategy allows to reveal important facts about fossil species.

4. Reproduction strategy reflects social behavior and degree of intelligence.

Text d. Genetic damage and paternal age

Exercise 10. Discuss the following questions:

1. How do reproductive abilities change with age in men and women?

2. What effect does parental age have on the health of the child?

to curtail – сократить, урезать census – перепись населения conception – зачатие to tally – подсчитать, суммировать

Exercise 11. Listen to the text (Script 41) which describes a unique survey conducted in Iceland and describe how scientists revealed the effects of parental age on the child’s health.

Exercise 12. Listen to the text again. What do the following figures refer to in the text:

1703 874 78 63

14 29 49 69

10% 28 33 17%

Exercise 13. Using information from the text prove that:

1. Iceland provides unique opportunities for genetic investigations.

2. The number of mutations passed on from the father is age-dependent.

3. The differences in the number of mutations passed on are accounted for by the formation of sex cells in men and women.

4. Father's age at conception can determine severe genetic disorders in children.

5. Iceland demonstrates significant shifts in demographics which may affect the country's overall health.

Unit 14. Aging

Lexis: Biochemistry / Molecular biology / Molecular genetics / Cytology / Neurology / Embryology / Gerontology Listening. 4 texts.

Text a. Stress and aging

Exercise 1. What do you know about telomeres? Answer the questions:

1. What are telomeres and what is their function?

2. What is the Hayflick limit?

3. What role do telomeres play in cancer development?

4. How does chronic stress impact telomeres?

Exercise 2. Listen to the text (Script 42) to check your answers in Exercise 1. How can stress management (e.g. telephone counselling) and physical exercise affect telomeres and aging?