The speaker, Michael, begins by noting that more than a million of his cells have died since the video began, a natural process. He then discusses the constant shedding of dead skin and the fact that 80% of the material seen indoors is dead human skin.
The speaker further explains how our bodies are made up of living cells that are constantly active, dividing, and burning food energy to move, breathe, think, and stay warm. He mentions a website, Grand-Illusions[.com], which illustrates the heat from a person's hand.
Michael then delves into the process of cell division, explaining that DNA for each daughter cell requires copying an exact sequence of three billion nucleotides. He notes that enzymes that synthesize DNA make 120,000 mistakes every time a cell divides, with some of these mistakes being beneficial, some harmful, and others neutral.
If a mutation in a cell's DNA causes the cell to behave abnormally, it can become a special type of cell, which is often referred to as cancer. DNA mutations can occur randomly in the body, but they can also be inherited or caused by the environment.
He mentions an example of a man who drove a truck for years, exposing one side of his face to more sunlight than the other, leading to potentially dramatic environmental damage. He also talks about how giraffes have black tongues because the dark pigmentation protects them from solar radiation.
Michael then discusses the body's internal autocorrect, which catches and corrects more than 99% of errors. However, this autocorrect is not perfect, and cancers can still develop, especially after the accumulation of mistakes and mutations over time.
He mentions that we are living longer today than in the past, due to advancements in refrigeration, sanitation, vaccines, and reductions in obesity and diabetes. He also mentions that there is progress being made against late-acting diseases, and that advances are coming from all over.
Finally, Michael concludes by saying that when we talk about cancer, it's not so much a war with winners and losers and surrender as it is a mutiny. He emphasizes that we can't help the fact that we are all at sea, but now we are making our own decisions on where to go.
1. Every week, about 5.5 grams of dead skin sheds off the human body.
2. 80% of the material seen indoors, dancing across sunbeams, is dead human skin, according to Ohio State University.
3. The heat from a person's hand is enough to run a Stirling engine.
4. Human cells divide millions of times every day.
5. The replication of instructions in DNA for each daughter cell requires copying an exact sequence of three billion nucleotides.
6. Enzymes that synthesize DNA make 120,000 mistakes every time a single cell in the human body divides.
7. Some mistakes in DNA replication can be beneficial, while others can be harmful or neutral.
8. A mutation in a cell's DNA can cause the cell to behave abnormally and lead to cancer.
9. There are over 200 diseases that fit the description of cancer.
10. DNA mutations can be inherited or caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
11. Giraffes have black tongues to protect them from solar radiation.
12. Biological mechanisms like proofreading and mismatch repair catch and correct or stop more than 99% of errors in DNA replication.
13. Humans have found evidence of the selection shadow at work with mice and bats.
14. Mice live about two to three years, while bats can live for thirty years or more due to fewer predators and a smaller chance of dying early.
15. In the early 1600s, life expectancy in England was only 35 years, but if a person made it to the age of 21, they could expect to live well into their 60s.
16. Humans have a higher life expectancy today due to advances in medicine and technology.
17. Refrigeration and sanitation have reduced stomach cancers caused by infection.
18. Vaccines have prevented cervical cancer.
19. Anti-smoking campaigns and reductions in obesity and diabetes have given humans an edge against cancer.
20. There are over 200 different types of cancers, making it unlikely that there will be a single cure for cancer.