From 9fc032edbe9ff23e4a1d8e7f42ab16a4e7ff4e25 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Suraj Subramanian <5676233+subramen@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 23:07:42 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Update karma-of-cells.md --- content/posts/karma-of-cells.md | 4 ++-- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/content/posts/karma-of-cells.md b/content/posts/karma-of-cells.md index 359d3eb..377c577 100644 --- a/content/posts/karma-of-cells.md +++ b/content/posts/karma-of-cells.md @@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ Every single day, 330 billion new cells (or 1% of the entire body) replace aged As a cell goes through life, it faces different situations and has to act accordingly by synthesizing the right proteins. This is where the cell's DNA plays a critical role; think of a cell's DNA as a vast cookbook. Each recipe in this cookbook (or each segment of the DNA) is a _gene_ which contains the instructions to prepare a protein. Proteins are how a cell performs essential functions like communication, creating hormones, fighting invaders, transporting nutrients and many other physiological processes essential for its survival. -{{ < figure src="https://www.lgmd2ifund.org/wp-content/uploads/reading-gene.png" link="https://www.lgmd2ifund.org/science-basics/from-gene-to-protein" align="center" caption="The Central Dogma of Biology">}} +{{ < figure src="https://www.lgmd2ifund.org/wp-content/uploads/reading-gene.png" target="https://www.lgmd2ifund.org/science-basics/from-gene-to-protein" align="center" caption="The Central Dogma of Biology">}} The knowledge of when to express which genes (known as the _gene expression_) is stored in the cell's _epigenome_, a kind of cellular diary that remembers which recipes worked best [_[The Epigenome Learns From Its Experiences](https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/memory)_]. Unlike DNA, which changes slowly and randomly over many generations, the epigenome can change a lot in just one lifetime. The epigenome is a set of chemical compounds that live on the DNA strand. They don't change the DNA itself, but act like tags or markers that turn specific genes on and off. In this way they determine what proteins will a cell synthesize. Unlike the fixed DNA, epigenetic changes can occur frequently during a lifetime, and may be permanent or transient. The exact [mechanism of epigenetic updates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics#Mechanisms) is complex and probably needs at least some background in molecular biology. @@ -40,4 +40,4 @@ All action originates from some desire. It starts with you wanting something. Th Karma is often spoken about in terms of being rewarded or punished in the future for our current deeds. What sometimes escapes us is that the reward or punishment lies in the very act itself, and not only its eventual consequences. Whatever we experience, think, and do alters us - perhaps imperceptibly - at the deepest level of our DNA. These impressions form the cell's legacy and will be transmitted through many generations of new cells, influencing our perceptions, actions and the consequent results in the future [_see [samskara] for a loose Hindu/Buddhist corollary of this phenomenon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samskara_(Indian_philosophy))_]. From this perspective, our actions are causative not only of future results but also of our present selves. The fruits of our deeds may take time to manifest outwardly, but the seeds are planted within us in the moment we act. ### Science and spirtuality - two sides of the same coin -What the scientist cannot explain objectively, the philosopher will employ logic to debate and the theologian will interpret with myths. The 8th century theologist, philosopher and Vedic scholar Shankara emphatically declared that our future is determined solely by our actions, rejecting the notion of a divine "karma police" keeping score of our deeds. As scientific understanding is catching up, we are starting to see karma not simply as a moral or philosophical idea but a biological reality validated by empirical evidence. \ No newline at end of file +What the scientist cannot explain objectively, the philosopher will employ logic to debate and the theologian will interpret with myths. The 8th century theologist, philosopher and Vedic scholar Shankara emphatically declared that our future is determined solely by our actions, rejecting the notion of a divine "karma police" keeping score of our deeds. As scientific understanding is catching up, we are starting to see karma not simply as a moral or philosophical idea but a biological reality validated by empirical evidence.