Sunday, January 26, 2020

Concept of Homeostasis

Concept of Homeostasis Explain the Concept of Homeostasis (P5) The main concept of homeostasis is to maintain a constant environment inside the body. It does this by controlling certain systems throughout the body, keeping it at the normal environment. Although external influences can have a negative impact on this environment, homeostasis will then make the body react to these influences by correcting it back to the norm level; this is known as negative feedback. Negative feedback is how homeostasis keeps these systems throughout our body in balance. The process of negative feedback is when receptors in the body detects when something is off balance or wrong, this then triggers the receptors to send a message to the effectors in the body. Effectors then cause a reaction in the body to restore the balance back to the normal environment. Although the receptors will keep sending these signals to the effectors until the balance is completely restored back to normal. That’s why it is called negative feedback as it’s something negative happening to the body. Homeostasis constantly maintains the environment of four main systems throughout the body, these systems are: Heart Rate Breathing Rate Body Temperature Blood Sugar Levels Heart Rate The circulatory system is made up of blood vessels, such as arteries and arterioles; these vessels takes oxygenated blood from the heart to the thin-walled capillaries which is where exchange of oxygen and nutrients takes place and vessels known as venues and veins return the now deoxygenated blood back to the heart, this is an ongoing cycle. Nutrient molecules then leave the capillaries to be taken up by the cells, and waste molecules are transferred off by the cells and then are received by the capillaries to be taken away. Capillaries thrive in all parts of the body; blood is composed into two parts: formed elements and plasma. All of the produced elements donate to homeostasis; Oxygen is consumed throughout cellular respiration, this is a process that provides energy for metabolic activities. The body fights infection to keep the body unharmed and prevents it from giving way to diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. Plasma, too, donates to homeostasis. The nutrients required an d the wastes given off by cells are carried in plasma. Nutrients then leave the plasma through the capillaries and wastes enter the plasma at the capillaries. Breathing Rate When the body breathes in air, oxygen is inhaled into the alveoli of the lungs this is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. Blood inside the pulmonary artery is oxygen-poor and holds a higher concentration of carbon dioxide. As blood passes through the capillaries close to the alveoli, oxygen is diffused into the blood and carbon dioxide then diffuses out of blood into the alveoli. Then after, carbon dioxide is exhaled by moving from the alveoli to the nose. As the blood within the pulmonary vein is oxygen-rich and holds a lower concentration of carbon dioxide, it is clear that carbon dioxide has been exported for oxygen as blood passes through the lungs. The respiratory centre, found in the medulla; which repeatedly releases nerve impulses to the diaphragm and the muscles of the rib cage. In its relaxed state, the diaphragm is dome-shaped, but upon stimulation, it contracts and lowers. Also the rib cage moves upward and outward, therefore the thoracic cavity increases in size and air pressure within the expanded lungs lowers and is instantly rebalanced by air rushing in through the nose. When the respiratory centre stops sending out stimulatory nerve impulses, the diaphragm and rib cage return to their original positions and exhalation occurs. There are chemoreceptor’s next to the respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata that are quickly responsive to the carbon dioxide content of the blood, and chemoreceptor’s in aorta and carotid arteries that are responsive to both the carbon dioxide content and the pH of the blood. When the carbon dioxide concentration rises or when the pH lowers the respiratory centre is stimulated and the breathing rate increases. Body Temperature The body is able to maintain a normal body temperature of 37Â ° C even if the external temperature ranges between 16Â ° C and 54Â ° C. The metabolic activity of cells is the heating system of the body because cellular reactions give off heat as a side-effect. When the body is resting, body heat is produced mainly by the heart, liver, brain, and endocrine glands but when the muscles are active they produce many times the heat produced by these organs. Therefore, increased muscle activity, such as by rubbing hands or stamping feet are used as a short-term measure to raise body temperature. On a long-term cause, the hormone thyroxin is produced by the thyroid gland stimulates cells to a higher metabolic rate. An expecting is that the persons living in a cold climate will have a higher metabolic rate than those who live in a reasonable climate. The regulatory centre for body temperature, found in the hypothalamus, is responsive to temperature changes within the arterial where blood is flowing. Depending on the body temperature, the regulatory centre produces the adaptive responses, and body temperature then increases or decreases. The body cools when blood vessels near the skin are dilated and the warm blood passing through them this loses heat to the atmosphere by radiation. Sweating also cools the body because as it evaporates, the body loses heat. If body temperature falls too low, the body will begin to shivering. Shivering requires nerve impulses to be sent to the skeletal muscles. In cold temperatures, people wear clothing which traps an insulating layer of warm air next to the body to recompense for a lack of body hair. In warm temperatures, clothing is worn to protect the body against the burning rays of the sun, but such clothing should be loose so that heat may still be lost by radiation. Blood Sugar Levels Glucose is an important substance in the body as it is the main source of energy for all natural functions and is in fact the only form of energy which can be used by the brain and central nervous system. The level of blood glucose in the body is important, as if blood glucose levels drop or rise dramatically there may be serious consequences such as hypo- or hyperglycaemia which can both cause death. Therefore it is necessary for blood glucose levels to be regulated and this is achieved through homeostasis. To work effectively homeostasis has an effective receptor that detects this. If the levels are too high the receptors would send a signal to the pancreas to control the concentration of the glucose in the blood. The pancreas would then produce a hormone called insulin, which causes the glucose to be transport from the blood into the cells. This lowers the concentration of glucose in the blood if it becomes too high. This process usually happens after we eat a meal that is rich in carbohydrate such as, sweets, rice, pasta, bread or potatoes. Bibliography GCSE Bitesize (2011) Homeostasis [Online] Available on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa_pre_2011/homeo/homeostasis1.shtml Accessed on 23/03/15 Biology Innovation.co.uk (2011) Homeostasis [Online] Available on:http://www.biology-innovation.co.uk/pages/human-biology/homeostasis/ Accessed on 23/03/15

Concept of Homeostasis

Concept of Homeostasis Explain the Concept of Homeostasis (P5) The main concept of homeostasis is to maintain a constant environment inside the body. It does this by controlling certain systems throughout the body, keeping it at the normal environment. Although external influences can have a negative impact on this environment, homeostasis will then make the body react to these influences by correcting it back to the norm level; this is known as negative feedback. Negative feedback is how homeostasis keeps these systems throughout our body in balance. The process of negative feedback is when receptors in the body detects when something is off balance or wrong, this then triggers the receptors to send a message to the effectors in the body. Effectors then cause a reaction in the body to restore the balance back to the normal environment. Although the receptors will keep sending these signals to the effectors until the balance is completely restored back to normal. That’s why it is called negative feedback as it’s something negative happening to the body. Homeostasis constantly maintains the environment of four main systems throughout the body, these systems are: Heart Rate Breathing Rate Body Temperature Blood Sugar Levels Heart Rate The circulatory system is made up of blood vessels, such as arteries and arterioles; these vessels takes oxygenated blood from the heart to the thin-walled capillaries which is where exchange of oxygen and nutrients takes place and vessels known as venues and veins return the now deoxygenated blood back to the heart, this is an ongoing cycle. Nutrient molecules then leave the capillaries to be taken up by the cells, and waste molecules are transferred off by the cells and then are received by the capillaries to be taken away. Capillaries thrive in all parts of the body; blood is composed into two parts: formed elements and plasma. All of the produced elements donate to homeostasis; Oxygen is consumed throughout cellular respiration, this is a process that provides energy for metabolic activities. The body fights infection to keep the body unharmed and prevents it from giving way to diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. Plasma, too, donates to homeostasis. The nutrients required an d the wastes given off by cells are carried in plasma. Nutrients then leave the plasma through the capillaries and wastes enter the plasma at the capillaries. Breathing Rate When the body breathes in air, oxygen is inhaled into the alveoli of the lungs this is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. Blood inside the pulmonary artery is oxygen-poor and holds a higher concentration of carbon dioxide. As blood passes through the capillaries close to the alveoli, oxygen is diffused into the blood and carbon dioxide then diffuses out of blood into the alveoli. Then after, carbon dioxide is exhaled by moving from the alveoli to the nose. As the blood within the pulmonary vein is oxygen-rich and holds a lower concentration of carbon dioxide, it is clear that carbon dioxide has been exported for oxygen as blood passes through the lungs. The respiratory centre, found in the medulla; which repeatedly releases nerve impulses to the diaphragm and the muscles of the rib cage. In its relaxed state, the diaphragm is dome-shaped, but upon stimulation, it contracts and lowers. Also the rib cage moves upward and outward, therefore the thoracic cavity increases in size and air pressure within the expanded lungs lowers and is instantly rebalanced by air rushing in through the nose. When the respiratory centre stops sending out stimulatory nerve impulses, the diaphragm and rib cage return to their original positions and exhalation occurs. There are chemoreceptor’s next to the respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata that are quickly responsive to the carbon dioxide content of the blood, and chemoreceptor’s in aorta and carotid arteries that are responsive to both the carbon dioxide content and the pH of the blood. When the carbon dioxide concentration rises or when the pH lowers the respiratory centre is stimulated and the breathing rate increases. Body Temperature The body is able to maintain a normal body temperature of 37Â ° C even if the external temperature ranges between 16Â ° C and 54Â ° C. The metabolic activity of cells is the heating system of the body because cellular reactions give off heat as a side-effect. When the body is resting, body heat is produced mainly by the heart, liver, brain, and endocrine glands but when the muscles are active they produce many times the heat produced by these organs. Therefore, increased muscle activity, such as by rubbing hands or stamping feet are used as a short-term measure to raise body temperature. On a long-term cause, the hormone thyroxin is produced by the thyroid gland stimulates cells to a higher metabolic rate. An expecting is that the persons living in a cold climate will have a higher metabolic rate than those who live in a reasonable climate. The regulatory centre for body temperature, found in the hypothalamus, is responsive to temperature changes within the arterial where blood is flowing. Depending on the body temperature, the regulatory centre produces the adaptive responses, and body temperature then increases or decreases. The body cools when blood vessels near the skin are dilated and the warm blood passing through them this loses heat to the atmosphere by radiation. Sweating also cools the body because as it evaporates, the body loses heat. If body temperature falls too low, the body will begin to shivering. Shivering requires nerve impulses to be sent to the skeletal muscles. In cold temperatures, people wear clothing which traps an insulating layer of warm air next to the body to recompense for a lack of body hair. In warm temperatures, clothing is worn to protect the body against the burning rays of the sun, but such clothing should be loose so that heat may still be lost by radiation. Blood Sugar Levels Glucose is an important substance in the body as it is the main source of energy for all natural functions and is in fact the only form of energy which can be used by the brain and central nervous system. The level of blood glucose in the body is important, as if blood glucose levels drop or rise dramatically there may be serious consequences such as hypo- or hyperglycaemia which can both cause death. Therefore it is necessary for blood glucose levels to be regulated and this is achieved through homeostasis. To work effectively homeostasis has an effective receptor that detects this. If the levels are too high the receptors would send a signal to the pancreas to control the concentration of the glucose in the blood. The pancreas would then produce a hormone called insulin, which causes the glucose to be transport from the blood into the cells. This lowers the concentration of glucose in the blood if it becomes too high. This process usually happens after we eat a meal that is rich in carbohydrate such as, sweets, rice, pasta, bread or potatoes. Bibliography GCSE Bitesize (2011) Homeostasis [Online] Available on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa_pre_2011/homeo/homeostasis1.shtml Accessed on 23/03/15 Biology Innovation.co.uk (2011) Homeostasis [Online] Available on:http://www.biology-innovation.co.uk/pages/human-biology/homeostasis/ Accessed on 23/03/15

Concept of Homeostasis

Concept of Homeostasis Explain the Concept of Homeostasis (P5) The main concept of homeostasis is to maintain a constant environment inside the body. It does this by controlling certain systems throughout the body, keeping it at the normal environment. Although external influences can have a negative impact on this environment, homeostasis will then make the body react to these influences by correcting it back to the norm level; this is known as negative feedback. Negative feedback is how homeostasis keeps these systems throughout our body in balance. The process of negative feedback is when receptors in the body detects when something is off balance or wrong, this then triggers the receptors to send a message to the effectors in the body. Effectors then cause a reaction in the body to restore the balance back to the normal environment. Although the receptors will keep sending these signals to the effectors until the balance is completely restored back to normal. That’s why it is called negative feedback as it’s something negative happening to the body. Homeostasis constantly maintains the environment of four main systems throughout the body, these systems are: Heart Rate Breathing Rate Body Temperature Blood Sugar Levels Heart Rate The circulatory system is made up of blood vessels, such as arteries and arterioles; these vessels takes oxygenated blood from the heart to the thin-walled capillaries which is where exchange of oxygen and nutrients takes place and vessels known as venues and veins return the now deoxygenated blood back to the heart, this is an ongoing cycle. Nutrient molecules then leave the capillaries to be taken up by the cells, and waste molecules are transferred off by the cells and then are received by the capillaries to be taken away. Capillaries thrive in all parts of the body; blood is composed into two parts: formed elements and plasma. All of the produced elements donate to homeostasis; Oxygen is consumed throughout cellular respiration, this is a process that provides energy for metabolic activities. The body fights infection to keep the body unharmed and prevents it from giving way to diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. Plasma, too, donates to homeostasis. The nutrients required an d the wastes given off by cells are carried in plasma. Nutrients then leave the plasma through the capillaries and wastes enter the plasma at the capillaries. Breathing Rate When the body breathes in air, oxygen is inhaled into the alveoli of the lungs this is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place. Blood inside the pulmonary artery is oxygen-poor and holds a higher concentration of carbon dioxide. As blood passes through the capillaries close to the alveoli, oxygen is diffused into the blood and carbon dioxide then diffuses out of blood into the alveoli. Then after, carbon dioxide is exhaled by moving from the alveoli to the nose. As the blood within the pulmonary vein is oxygen-rich and holds a lower concentration of carbon dioxide, it is clear that carbon dioxide has been exported for oxygen as blood passes through the lungs. The respiratory centre, found in the medulla; which repeatedly releases nerve impulses to the diaphragm and the muscles of the rib cage. In its relaxed state, the diaphragm is dome-shaped, but upon stimulation, it contracts and lowers. Also the rib cage moves upward and outward, therefore the thoracic cavity increases in size and air pressure within the expanded lungs lowers and is instantly rebalanced by air rushing in through the nose. When the respiratory centre stops sending out stimulatory nerve impulses, the diaphragm and rib cage return to their original positions and exhalation occurs. There are chemoreceptor’s next to the respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata that are quickly responsive to the carbon dioxide content of the blood, and chemoreceptor’s in aorta and carotid arteries that are responsive to both the carbon dioxide content and the pH of the blood. When the carbon dioxide concentration rises or when the pH lowers the respiratory centre is stimulated and the breathing rate increases. Body Temperature The body is able to maintain a normal body temperature of 37Â ° C even if the external temperature ranges between 16Â ° C and 54Â ° C. The metabolic activity of cells is the heating system of the body because cellular reactions give off heat as a side-effect. When the body is resting, body heat is produced mainly by the heart, liver, brain, and endocrine glands but when the muscles are active they produce many times the heat produced by these organs. Therefore, increased muscle activity, such as by rubbing hands or stamping feet are used as a short-term measure to raise body temperature. On a long-term cause, the hormone thyroxin is produced by the thyroid gland stimulates cells to a higher metabolic rate. An expecting is that the persons living in a cold climate will have a higher metabolic rate than those who live in a reasonable climate. The regulatory centre for body temperature, found in the hypothalamus, is responsive to temperature changes within the arterial where blood is flowing. Depending on the body temperature, the regulatory centre produces the adaptive responses, and body temperature then increases or decreases. The body cools when blood vessels near the skin are dilated and the warm blood passing through them this loses heat to the atmosphere by radiation. Sweating also cools the body because as it evaporates, the body loses heat. If body temperature falls too low, the body will begin to shivering. Shivering requires nerve impulses to be sent to the skeletal muscles. In cold temperatures, people wear clothing which traps an insulating layer of warm air next to the body to recompense for a lack of body hair. In warm temperatures, clothing is worn to protect the body against the burning rays of the sun, but such clothing should be loose so that heat may still be lost by radiation. Blood Sugar Levels Glucose is an important substance in the body as it is the main source of energy for all natural functions and is in fact the only form of energy which can be used by the brain and central nervous system. The level of blood glucose in the body is important, as if blood glucose levels drop or rise dramatically there may be serious consequences such as hypo- or hyperglycaemia which can both cause death. Therefore it is necessary for blood glucose levels to be regulated and this is achieved through homeostasis. To work effectively homeostasis has an effective receptor that detects this. If the levels are too high the receptors would send a signal to the pancreas to control the concentration of the glucose in the blood. The pancreas would then produce a hormone called insulin, which causes the glucose to be transport from the blood into the cells. This lowers the concentration of glucose in the blood if it becomes too high. This process usually happens after we eat a meal that is rich in carbohydrate such as, sweets, rice, pasta, bread or potatoes. Bibliography GCSE Bitesize (2011) Homeostasis [Online] Available on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa_pre_2011/homeo/homeostasis1.shtml Accessed on 23/03/15 Biology Innovation.co.uk (2011) Homeostasis [Online] Available on:http://www.biology-innovation.co.uk/pages/human-biology/homeostasis/ Accessed on 23/03/15

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Characterization in Science Fiction

Characterization in Science Fiction Kirill Kachinsky 03/30/2010 Introduction By analyzing Isaac Asimov's, â€Å"The Caves of Steel† as a work of the Science Fiction genre and its comparison to similar works in the genre as well as supporting texts, it will be clear to see how characterization amongst the five literary elements merely serves as a secondary discussion point within the work, as its non involvement proves valuable for the other literary element development. Caves of Steel character analysis â€Å"Caves of Steel† by Isaac Asimov proves to show throughout,that the lack of character detail and development allows for other literary elements such as setting and narration to benefit and create more interest for the avid Science Fiction reader. Characters such as Robot Daneel, Commissioner Enderby and Elijah Baley make it possible for the narrator to concentrate on the setting of the story, providing the readers with a grand visual of a futuristic city and an acute understanding of the development of social interaction in a foreseeable future. Flat characters in Science Fiction as vehicles for literary element development As for the fear of manufacturing the uncontrollable that was mentioned in the earlier section, primitive technology and its exploration is seen in the story, â€Å"The Lost Machine† by John Wyndham. Even though â€Å"The Lost Machine† is social science fiction and focusing on the human aspect more rather than the technical aspect of its genre predecessors, none the less the flat characterization of human characters is present. The story centers on a robot exploring Earth and realizing that our technology is primitive because we’re afraid of anything that’s superior to us; humans are portrayed as archaic beasts compared even to the robot as one human tries to sell the robot to another human, â€Å"I’m takin’ it to a place I know of—it ought to be worth a bit. † Once again the simplicity of a greedy human becomes a vehicle for the robot to further describe and interpret the people of Earth and its surroundings in its own point of view, or rather once again, making narration a key literary element in the story. The benefit and/or drawback of flat characterization The benefits of flat characterization are obvious. There is much more room for development of literary elements that are key to the genre of Science Fiction. But of course to every advantage there is a disadvantage, such mentioned earlier and put forth by Clyde F. Beck; a simple argument in which characterization should be more developed to engage the reader. In â€Å"A Conversation with Isaac Asimov,† Asimov simply states it’s a trade off in Science Fiction of one for the other, since the setting is so descriptive, in and of itself it is a character, â€Å"I meant also that spending time on background takes time away from your characters. You don't have characterization as it's usually understood by most people. If you consider your background society as a character, that society has all kinds of â€Å"characterization. Asimov’s statement holds true upon almost any Science Fiction novel, whether discovering or destroying worlds, the key literary elements do not include characterization, that element would most likely best well in a drama. Conclusion Caves of Steel like many Science Fiction works of literature contain certain prominent literary elements such as setting, style and narration. Although the literary element of characterization is not as prominent as the others, its absence is none the less important to any work of Science Fiction as its emptiness becomes the vehicle for the development of a â€Å"good† work of Science Fiction; a work full of descriptive setting, a setting that almost takes place of a fully developed character. Works Cited Asimov, Isaac. The Caves of Steel. New York: Bantam, 1991. Print. Ingersoll, Earl G. Isaac Asimov, Gregory Fitz Gerald, Jack Wolf, Joshua Duberman, and Robert Philmus. â€Å"A Conversation with Isaac Asimov. † Science Fiction Studies 14. 1 (1987): 68-77. Print. Smith, E. E. The Skylark of Space. Lincoln, Neb. : University of Nebraska, 2001. Print. Westfahl, Gary. â€Å"The Popular Tradition of Science Fiction Criticism. † Science Fiction Studies 26. 2 (1999): 187-212. Web. Wyndham, John, and Angus Wells. The Best of John Wyndham: 1932-1949. London: Sphere, 1973. Print.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Psychosocial Development as Seen in the Movie the Blind Side

Psychosocial Development Psychosocial development is an integration of the principles of personal, psychological and cultural or social development. The psychosocial view of problems focuses on the idea that problems are rooted in relationship issues. Heinz Kohut said humans have narcissistic needs that are satisfied by other people, represented as self-objects. If the child receives enough mirroring (positive attention) from self-objects (chiefly the mother), the sense of self develops appropriately and affects their social life.If there's too much mirroring, the child won't be able to deal with frustrations. If there's too little, the development of the self is stunted. In the movie â€Å"The Blind Side† Before meeting Tuohys, Michael was reserved and had very few friends. It is apparent that he did not receive sufficient mirroring from his parents while growing up which resulted in his ‘psychosocial dysfunction’. At school he was ridiculed because they thought he was dumb in the sense that he did not speak to anyone and he wasn’t cognitively smart.As he gradually bonded with Sean Junior he ‘came out of his shell’ and began expressing himself and communicating with others even more effectively than before. For example when he saw the children at the park playing and he went towards them, his approach scared them away, but after he was told to smile and present a warm approach to the children to let them know that he is friendly the children were willing to allow Big Mike to play with them. This improved his social abilities to a great extent. Michael was introduced to a different milieu, he not only learnt from the new family that adopted him but he also taught them something.This is seen when Michael stayed over for Thanksgiving and while everyone else was watching television and eating their meal in the living room he was seated around the table. When Mrs Tuohy saw him around the table she demanded that the entire fam ily sit around the table. This goes to show that this was a social grace or something customary to Michael that was not a part of the Tuohy’s socialization. One other theorist, Karen Horney suggested that Psychoanalytic Social Theory is built on the assumption that social and cultural conditions, especially childhood experiences, are largely responsible for shaping personality.People who do not have their needs for love and affection satisfied during childhood develop basic hostility toward their parents and others and, as a consequence, suffer from basic anxiety. In addition, watching the movie â€Å"The Blind Side†, I have observed the main character Michael as being socially handicapped as a result of his family background and experiences. Michael’s hostility was that of silence as it can be assumed that his need for love and affection was not satisfied during his childhood due to his parents’ absence.His father was not involved in his life at all but his mother was there for him or she wanted to be there for him but because of her drug addiction it disabled her ability to supply his needs as a child. According to Albert Bandura most human learning is observational learning, not conditioning and occurs by observing what others do and imitating what one sees. One need not actually perform the behaviour oneself. Taking for example in the movie where Michael was not cognitively intelligent in other subject areas but he was tested 98% in protective instincts.This might have been because of his past experience as a child and growing up he had to fend for himself, not because he saw persons fending for themselves but because he was left with no other option. This especially was due to the fact that he was a ward of the state and was placed in foster care but did not want to stay. His protective instinct could also have been adapted from observing how the gangsters from his community would defend themselves in gang fights , hustling in the streets etc. Therefore, his strong area of social development was in protecting himself/ his blind side.Another instance in which Big Mike’s psychosocial development was evident was in the connection between the time Mrs Tuohy saw him walking in the cold and asked him if he had somewhere to stay. Because of his hesitation she said â€Å"don’t you dear lie to me. † He ended up developing meaning from this dialogue and learnt that lying is wrong. In the ending after being questioned by Mrs Granger, out of rage and anger he repeated the same phrase to Mrs Tuohy (â€Å"don’t you dear lie to me†) when he tried to find out from her whether or not she was forcing Big Mike to go to the college of Mississippi.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Overview of Mali History and Independence

Malians express great pride in their ancestry. Mali is the cultural heir to the succession of ancient African empires – Ghana, Malinkà ©, and Songhai – that occupied the West African savannah. These empires controlled Saharan trade and were in touch with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern centers of civilization. Kingdoms of Ghana and Malinkà © The Ghana Empire, dominated by the Soninke or Saracolà © people and centered in the area along the Malian-Mauritanian frontier, was a powerful trading state from about A.D. 700 to 1075. The Malinkà © Kingdom of Mali had its origins on the upper Niger River in the 11th century. Expanding rapidly in the 13th century under the leadership of Sundiata Keita, it reached its height about 1325, when it conquered Timbuktu and Gao. Thereafter, the kingdom began to decline, and by the 15th century, it controlled only a small fraction of its former domain. Songhai Empire and Timbuktu The Songhai Empire expanded its power from its center in Gao during the period 1465-1530. At its peak under Askia Mohammad I, it encompassed the Hausa states as far as Kano (in present-day Nigeria) and much of the territory that had belonged to the Mali Empire in the west. It was destroyed by a Moroccan invasion in 1591. Timbuktu was a center of commerce and of the Islamic faith throughout this period, and priceless manuscripts from this epoch are still preserved in Timbuktu. (International donors are making efforts to help preserve these priceless manuscripts as part of Malis cultural heritage.) The Arrival of the French French military penetration of the Soudan (the French name for the area) began around 1880. Ten years later, the French made a concerted effort to occupy the interior. The timing and resident military governors determined methods of their advances. A French civilian governor of Soudan was appointed in 1893, but resistance to French control did not end until 1898 when the Malinkà © warrior Samory Tourà © was defeated after 7 years of war. The French attempted to rule indirectly, but in many areas, they disregarded traditional authorities and governed through appointed chiefs. From French Colony to French Community As the colony of French Soudan, Mali was administered with other French colonial territories as the Federation of French West Africa. In 1956, with the passing of Frances Fundamental Law (Loi Cadre), the Territorial Assembly obtained extensive powers over internal affairs and was permitted to form a cabinet with executive authority over matters within the Assemblys competence. After the 1958 French constitutional referendum, the Republique Soudanaise became a member of the French Community and enjoyed complete internal autonomy. Independence as the Republic of Mali In January 1959, Soudan joined Senegal to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent within the French Community on 20 June 1960. The federation collapsed on 20 August 1960, when Senegal seceded. On 22 September Soudan proclaimed itself the Republic of Mali and withdrew from the French Community. Socialist Single-Party State President Modibo Keita – whose party Union Soudanaise-Rassemblement Dà ©mocratique Africain (US-RDA, Sudanese Union-African Democratic Rally) had dominated pre-independence politics – moved quickly to declare a single-party state and to pursue a socialist policy based on extensive nationalization. A continuously deteriorating economy led to a decision to rejoin the Franc Zone in 1967 and modify some of the economic excesses. Bloodless Coup by Lieutenant Moussa Traorà © On 19 November 1968, a group of young officers staged a bloodless coup and set up a 14-member Military Committee for National Liberation (CMLN), with Lt. Moussa Traorà © as Chairman. The military leaders attempted to pursue economic reforms but for several years faced debilitating internal political struggles and the disastrous Sahelian drought. A new constitution, approved in 1974, created a one-party state and was designed to move Mali toward civilian rule. However, the military leaders remained in power. Single Party Elections In September 1976, a new political party was established, the Union Dà ©mocratique du Peuple Malien (UDPM, Democratic Union of the Malian People) based on the concept of democratic centralism. Single-party presidential and legislative elections were held in June 1979, and General Moussa Traorà © received 99% of the votes. His efforts at consolidating the single-party government were challenged in 1980 by student-led, anti-government demonstrations, which were brutally put down, and by three coup attempts. The Road to Multi-Party Democracy The political situation stabilized during 1981 and 1982 and remained generally calm throughout the 1980s. Shifting its attention to Malis economic difficulties, the government worked out a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, by 1990, there was growing dissatisfaction with the demands for austerity imposed by the IMFs economic reform programs and the perception that the President and his close associates were not themselves adhering to those demands. As demands for multiparty democracy increased the Traorà © government allowed some opening of the system (the establishment of an independent press and independent political associations) but insisted that Mali was not ready for democracy. Anti-Government Rioting In early 1991, student-led, anti-government rioting broke out again, but this time government workers and others supported it. On 26 March 1991, after 4 days of intense anti-government rioting, a group of 17 military officers arrested President Moussa Traorà © and suspended the constitution. Amadou Toumani Tourà © took power as the Chairman for the Transitional Committee for the Salvation of the People. A draft constitution was approved in a referendum on 12 January 1992 and political parties were allowed to form. On 8 June 1992, Alpha Oumar Konarà ©, the candidate of the Alliance pour la Dà ©mocratie en Mali (ADEMA, Alliance for Democracy in Mali), was inaugurated as the President of Malis Third Republic. President Konarà © Wins Election In 1997, attempts to renew national institutions through democratic elections ran into administrative difficulties, resulting in a court-ordered annulment of the legislative elections held in April 1997. It demonstrated, however, the overwhelming strength of President Konarà ©s ADEMA Party, causing some other historic parties to boycott subsequent elections. President Konarà © won the presidential election against scant opposition on 11 May. Amadou Toumani Tourà © General elections were organized in June and July 2002. President Konare did not seek reelection since he was serving his second and last term as required by the constitution. Retired General Amadou Toumani Tourà ©, former head of state during Malis transition (1991-1992) became the countrys second democratically elected President as an independent candidate in 2002 and was re-elected to a second 5-year term in 2007. Source Public Domain, US Department of State Background Notes.