Writing Homework Help

Eastern Kentucky University Function of the Respiratory & Digestive Systems Responses

 

When studying the structure and function of cells it is important know know what is normal and what is abnormal in order for us to detect diseases or any other abnormalities that could be affecting our bodies. We are able to determine what is normal structure and functions of cells by looking at multiple cells and seeing the abnormalities of a cell and seeing how these abnormalities affect the functions of the person’s body. Once we see different abnormalities in cells we are able to further determine if other cells are normal or not because once we have detected the abnormalities in other cells we can check for these in normal cells. If detected, the cell may be abnormal. If no abnormalities are detected that were previously studied then the cell may be normal.

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An example of a disease cause by abnormalities in cells is cystic fibrosis. Cystsic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes complications to the respiratoey and digestive systems. This is due to the fact that the cells fail to install cholride pumps in the plasma membrane Due to this there is an inadequate saline layer on the cell surface that causes a thick mucus. This thihcik mucus clogs the ducts of the pancreas, affecting the difgestive system. It also clogs the cilia, congesting the resporitory tract and causing chronic infection and pulmonary collapse (pg. 86)

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Sorces used:

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The book: https://player-ui.mheducation.com/#/epub/sn_f4c9#epubcfi(%2F6%2F6%5Bdata-uuid-bcc3492b51c54ce2ad6f4c66d5753674%5D!%2F4%2F2%5Bdata-uuid-f1fc9f4b55d64e23a2f5f5b45b4b85d4%5D%2F2%5Bdata-uuid-65d45218be794d79a9e460efee8c8aab%5D%2F2%5Bdata-uuid-95c6822bec04424597e16020e2635c81%5D)

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To set up a successful experiment scientists have dependent variables; the variables being measured in an experiment. In recording data they often have a control group that is frequently compared and contrasted with the other experimental groups. This causes a “normal” starting or maximum point that allows scientists to figure out if the dependent variables cause any abnormalities. If scientists were to only study one group, the dependent variables or the control group, they would not know if there was anything abnormal or if the experimental variable was “normal.” The same concept applies to cells. If a scientist was to look at a cell underneath a microscope how would s/he know if the cell was acting normal physiologically or if it was acting abnormal if there was nothing to compare it to.

When I think about a disease that applies to this concept my mind instantly goes to a disease that is undetectable or causes very little symptoms until it doesn’t. One of those diseases is a genetic disorder Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) which is a neurodegenerative disorder. However, it manifests other detrimental symptoms. One of those symptoms is the formation of acanthocytes; deformed red blood cells. Like sickle cell anemia these cells can cause clots and specific to this disease iron buildup. Both homozygous and heterozygous carriers who do not present with neurological symptoms both present with these red blood cells or other abnormal red blood cells.

To tie back to what I said previously, if a scientist was to look at the blood cells of both a homozygous and a heterozygous individual they would both show abnormalities to the red blood cells. It would be almost impossible to distinguish normal vs abnormal cells if both neurologically typical and neurologically symptomatic patients RBC was observed under a microscope.

Source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4416783/