Research on Cells

Introduction

There are about 200 different cells in the human body. All of them have a specific function to keep

us healthy. Many of these cells can be easily repaired or replaced; others cannot. Scientists work

hard every day to understand how cells work and to find solutions to many diseases. Some of the

latest scientific studies are related to the study of stem cells because they have the potential to

develop into specific cells in your body. Therefore, they could be the answer to many medical

treatments.

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?

Alzheimer’s disease is a cause of memory impairment in which neurons die and the brain shrinks. For now, it is not reversible, although some medicines may slow the process. 

Heart and brain cells have a channel called ryanodine receptors. Canadian scientists found out that by limiting the time this channel is open in animals, they can prevent and reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

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

Scientists are trying to grow nerve cells out of fat tissue. Nerve cells can’t grow on their own. So being able to replace or repair neurons would be a huge breakthrough. People suffering from spinal cord injuries would be able to move again. For now, researchers have only been able to maintain the cells alive for two weeks. But if they find a way to keep them alive for longer periods, many injured people will benefit from this discovery in the future.

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

Research shows that molecules in frog eggs rejuvenate mature human cells and turn them into stem cells. Scientists want to isolate those molecules found in frog eggs to reprogram adult human cells. In this way, doctors would have a large supply of stem cells to repair damaged tissues from many diseases such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. 

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

Schwann cells are a type of peripheral neuron cells that wrap around neurons and provide myelin. Myelin is what allows a neuron to send and receive electronic messages to and from the body. 

In multiple sclerosis, neurons in the central nervous system lose myelin and therefore, they can not send messages properly. This means that the person suffering this disease could lose movement, vision, and cognition. Since multiple sclerosis is a central nervous system disease, Schwann cells are not affected.

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

The mucosa, the inner layer of the stomach, is made of different special cells. Parietal cells produce acid to break down food and kill bacteria that could be harmful. This could be dangerous for the stomach itself because the acid is very strong. Luckily, epithelial cells in the mucosa protect the stomach from autodigestion by releasing a solution called mucus that contains bicarbonate that coats the stomach and neutralizes the acid.



 



 

Process

Extra research :)

If the mucus fails to protect the stomach and the acid touches the stomach wall, the stomach will

start to eat itself forming an ulcer. An ulcer is usually caused by an infection or by taking strong

medicines. It can bleed and cause stomach pain if it not treated correctly. Fortunately, there are

stem cells in the stomach epithelium that are constantly replacing and repairing the cells that form

the mucus.

Evaluation

 After doing research for this project, I have learned about different cells in the human body. Each

of them has a specific function. If one fail to do its job, we might get sick. Organisms need to stay

balanced to be healthy. Stem cells are helpful if we need to replace or repair cells in our body.

However, it is not always easy to use them. That is why scientists do a lot of research, to find

solutions to different diseases.

Conclusion

 It was interesting to know how the stomach does not dissolve and the food does, knowing that there is a special cell that is called epithelial cells to protect the stomach. 

Credits
Teacher Page

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