Introduction
With the modern technology we have, new groundbreaking discoveries have been found in cells. In this WebQuest, I have researched a variety of topics on cells and their organelles. Throughout this WebQuest, I will be taking you through the small, complex world of cells.
Task
In this WebQuest, I will be studying and researching the function of cells and how they are helping our body grow and develop every day.
1. What do researchers believe is the cause of memory loss? What research shows this can be reversed?
2. How can fat cells help people recover from spinal cord injuries?
3. How did researchers incorporate frog egg cells with human cell research?
4. What are Schwann cells? How can they be effected in patients suffering from sclerosis?
5. How do cells stop the acidic liquids in your body from digesting your stomach?
Process
1.
Researchers have studied hard and long to find answers to reversing memory impairment. They have found that when the human body and mind grow older and slow down, so do cells. With this knowledge, the researchers had found that certain cells used to repair the human brain don’t work as you get older. To test this, researchers from University of Cambridge tested an old mice’s memory. The mice could not remember a simple route through a maze. After giving the mice a virus called viral vector, it regained its memory. Using this evidence, researchers are starting to consider the possibilities of using this memory repairing virus on people diagnosed with alzhimers.
2.
Researchers have recently discovered a possible technique to treat patients with spinal cord injuries. Using the patient’s fat, the researchers modify it then return it to the patient. The fat helps reproduce more cells for the injury to repair itself.
3.
At the moment, researchers are using frog eggs to repair DNA damages in cells. According to the University of Copenhagen, protein from frog eggs are almost identical to the protein in human cells. They are using the protein in the frog egg to test if it can repair DNA and see what will happen with a human cell.
4.
Schwann cells are protective cylinders connected to your nerves that separate the nerves and protect them from protein that can cause blood clots. Schwann cells in a sclerosis patient get damaged and decay over time. This can lead to messed up nerve signals which can cause the human to experience weakness and vision problems.
5.
Without epithelial cells, you would have no stomach due to the acid breaking it down. Epithelial cells are special cells located between the stomach and the acids. The cells are used to produce a protective layer of mucus that is used as a barrier between the stomach and the acids.
Evaluation
Task:
I have carefully chosen accurate information and included attention to detail.
Process:
I have put a lot of thought into collecting and summarizing information.
Web Summary:
I organized and clearly summarized all the information.
Conclusion
As you can see, cells play a big role in our lives. We would most definitely not be living right now if it wasn’t for cells. They do many things to help us, but in some ways they can harm us. Cells slow down and cause memory loss, but there is a possible way to reverse it. They can help us with spinal cord injuries by using fat and modifying it. Cells from frog eggs are being used to repair cell DNA. They can get damaged and harm the human. They also save your body from dissolving into the acidic liquid in your stomach.