Research On Cells Project Gerard Petrella 4 - 21 - 2022 Period 1

Introduction

Scientists have been trying to solve problems in the world and have found many solutions in science.  Some of these solutions involve utilizing cells such as fat cells, Schwann cells and even cells from frogs!  Scientists have discovered how to do many things with cells, such as transforming cells into different types of cells.

This webquest that I created will explore the incredible world of cells and science!

 

Task

I created this WebQuest by doing the following tasks:

1. I researched about different types of cells.

2. Then, I answered a series of questions involving cells.

3. Lastly, I wrote a summary about Schwann cells.

4. I posted the resources involved in this project.

Process

Below are five questions about cells and my research:

1. What do researchers think is one cause of memory impairment related to growing older?  What does new research show that may be able to help reverse this process?

Researchers think that memory impairment is related to growing older because older people experience decreased blood flow to the brain so they do not remember as quickly as younger people. Another reason is that hormones and proteins that protect brain cells get worse as people age. Some ways to reverse memory impairment is by exercising daily, eating healthy foods, controlling stress levels and sleeping for at least eight hours.

2. How might fat cells be able to help people with spinal cord injuries?

Fat cells could help people with spinal cord injuries because if they had a spinal cord injury, scientists could take their own fat, treat it and put it back.

3. How are frog eggs being used in research involving human cells?

Frog eggs are used in research that involves human cells since they are useful for finding genes that help to do cell reprogramming. A scientist named John Gurdon wants to use the genes that are involved in cell reprogramming and use them to reprogram adult cells. This would make an unlimited amount of matching stem cells. These stem cells could be used to repair tissues damaged in diseases.

4. What are Schwann cells? How are they affected in multiple sclerosis patients?

Schwann cells are any cells that are cells in the nervous system that produce the myelin sheath which forms around axons, which carries nerve impulses. Their job is to protect neurons in the nervous system.  They are lost in sclerosis patients and this can worsen the neurons.

5. What role do cells play in preventing the stomach from digesting itself?

Epithelial cells, which protect the stomach, can produce a bicarbonate solution. Bicarbonate neutralizes the acid secreted by parietal cells which produces water in the process. The constant supply of bicarbonate prevents the stomach from digesting itself.

Evaluation

In this portion of the Webquest, I have included further details and diagrams on Schwann cells and Fat cells:

Schwann cells are any cells that are in the nervous system that produce myelin sheath, which forms around axons.  Their function is to produce myelin in the nervous system.  Schwann cells can be categorized into different groups, myelinating and non-myelinating cells.  Myelinating cells produce the myelin sheath around the axons.  Non-myelinating cells form a Remak bundle by bundling axons together.  They were discovered by Theodor Schwann, a German physician.  Below is an image of a Schwann cell.

What are Schwann Cells?

Fat cells are any cells that store fat.  They are located under the skin, around organs and between muscles.  Their function is to store energy using triglycerides, which is a type of fat.  They can be categorized in to three groups, white, brown and beige.  White fat cells are necessary for a healthy body, brown fat cells help keep us warm and beige fat cells help to burn fat.  Below is an image of a fat cell.

Image result for image of fat cell

Conclusion

Based on my research, I have learned that scientists have made many very important discoveries in the area of cells that can solve many medical problems.  For example, Schwann cells can help multiple sclerosis patients since they protect nerves because they block thrombin, a protein that can damage nerves.  Scientists at Duke University Medical Center discovered that they could turn fat cells into nerve cells even though fat cells and nerve cells have completely different origins.  This could help people suffering from spinal cord injuries because scientists could take some of the patients own fat, transform it into a different type of cell and put it back in to their body. There is still much to explore in the area of cell research and it seems as the possibilities are endless!

Credits