Introduction
Cells are very important to research. In this webquest, we are going to be researching topics related to cells.
Task
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?
2. How might fat cells be able to help people with spinal cord injuries?
3. How are frog eggs being used in research involving human cells?
4. What are schwann cells? How are they affected in multiple sclerosis patients?
5. What role do cells play in preventing the stomach from digesting itself?
Process
Cells are very important to research for a good many reasons. Usually frog eggs are used in research for human cells because they contain the same proteins, so they make a good model. Fat cells might be able to help people with spinal cord injuries. This is because you can modify the fat cells into nerve cells. Schwann cells are cells that protect deterioration of nerves by blocking a blood clotting protein that can damage nerves. This information could aid the understanding of the mechanisms behind multiple sclerosis. The stomach has a very strong acid that helps it digest food. But what stops the stomach from digesting itself? Well, the stomach is lined with epithelial cells, which produce mucus that forms a barrier between the acid and the liner. Decreased blood flow in the brain happens with age, and it can lead to memory loss, however there might be a way to reverse it. Scientists have discovered a protein called RbAp48 that can reduce memory loss in older mice.
Evaluation
Cells are very important. We learned that frog eggs are usually used as models for human cells because they both have the same protein. We also learned that the reason the stomach doesn’t digest itself is because it’s lined with epithelial cells that creates a barrier. Additionally, scientists discovered a protein that can reverse aged related memory loss. It’s called RbAp48, and it has shown to reduce memory loss in older mice. Also, Schwann cells are cells that protect deterioration of nerves. They block a blood clotting protein that can damage nerves. Finally, we learned that fat cells might be able to help people with spinal cord injuries. This is because you can modify the fat cells into nerve cells and inject them back into the body.
Conclusion
Things that caught our interest was the fact that frog eggs are good models for human cells. Its interesting to know that they both contain the same proteins. Another thing was that the stomach is lined with epithelial cells that stop the stomach frog digesting itself.