Peer Review
The authors of the article chosen for the analysis focus on the problem of biodiversity and its connection to thiamine, also known as vitamin B1 deficiency. The reason for such discussion is the observation that many wildlife populations continue declining at rates, and the threats to biodiversity turn out to be the main cause. Thiamine diphosphate cannot be neglected in this research because it plays an important role in cellular metabolism that can occur in five life-sustaining enzymes (Balk et al.). Three classes of animals are chosen for the investigation, including the representatives of ray-finned fishes, several bivalves, and some birds which are found on 45 stations through 15 regions on the territory of the Northern Hemisphere.
In the article, the hypothesis that thiamine deficiency can be a crucial contributor to the declines of populations in different ecosystems of the Northern Hemisphere has to be supported (Balk et al.). To support the chosen positions and the appropriateness of the work, the authors rely on past investigations developed by Manzetti et al. in terms of which thiamine deficiency was proved as an ultimately lethal concept with several health effects on memory, learning abilities, and other brain functions (821). It is found that thiamine deficiency can be developed in different ways. All tests and their results can be proved in case thiamine is administrated to an individual without deficiency, and no effects are observed. In general, the article is properly developed, including such sections and introduction with enough background information, a strong and clear hypothesis, results, and discussion with the help of which appropriate conclusions are made.
Quiz
Works Cited
Balk, Lennart, et al. “Widespread Episodic Thiamine Deficiency in Northern Hemisphere Wildlife.” Scientific Reports, vol. 6, 2016, doi: 10.1038/srep38821. Accessed 06 Jul. 2017.
Manzetti, Sergio, et al. “Thiamin Function, Metabolism, Uptake, and Transport.” Biochemistry, vol. 53, no. 5, 2014, pp. 821-835.