Transcript
M2D1- Superhero Stem Cells
If you had the power to become a stem cell and have unlimited control of what you could become (real or imagined) what would your cell do?
If I had the power to become a stem cell with unlimited control of what I could become, I would be an adult stem cell that specifically helps to repair the destroyed pancreatic cells so that the pancreas can produce insulin for the body. Secondly, I would support the body to process blood sugar by not being resistant to insulin. However, my power would be to cure Diabetes around the world at a phenomenal rate.
Part 2
2. Pick a cell in the body and tell the class what you like about its specializations. What makes it unique and able to carry out its function? Review two of your peer’s selections and tell them what you like about their selection.
My favorite cell in the human body right now is natural killer cells (NK cells). NK cells are like US Marines going on a mission looking for the enemy since the whole purpose of NK cells is to hunt and eradicate foreign pathogens within the human body. NK cells are included in the innate immune system as well as they minimize the spread of microbial infections and tumors (Vivier et al, 2008). Natural killer cells also have the unique ability to determine the difference between non-self and self which will ensure that they only eliminate foreign pathogens rather than the host.
Vivier, E., Tomasello, E., Baratin, M., Walzer, T., & Ugolini, S. (2008, May). Functions of natural killer cells. Retrieved July 06, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18425107
Now take it a step further and list for the class your two favorite organelles. What are their functions? Why did you choose this organelle?
Initially, my two favorite organelles were the nucleus and mitochondria, but since they have already been chosen, I decided to go with my second choice endoplasmic reticulum (E.R.) and Golgi apparatus. The endoplasmic reticulum (E.R.) is composed of a group of lipid membranes which do the job of moving proteins from one region of the cell to another. There are two versions of the endoplasmic reticulum (E.R.) one is smooth, and the other is rough. The smooth E.R. does not contain any ribosomes on its surface area since the lipid portion of the cell membrane is assembled there. Rough E.R. has ribosomes connected to it which produce proteins that will depart the cell (Sack). After the ribosomes on the E.R. have finished making the proteins for exporting from the cell, they need to be packaged in a unique way which will allow them to leave the cell and be accepted by the parts of the body that need them. Next, the endoplasmic reticulum (E.R.) will transport every one of the scheduled proteins to the Golgi apparatus for packaging and shipping (Sack). At the same time, the proteins leave the endoplasmic reticulum (E.R.) the Golgi apparatus changes, packages and sorts them, so they're prepared to depart the cell. Due to the importance of shipping proteins out of the cell, the Golgi apparatus will always be located near the cell membrane. Additionally, the Golgi apparatus resembles a stack of pancakes (Sack).
Sack, J. (n.d.). Organelles in Cells: Definition & Functions. Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/organelles-in-cells-definition-functions-quiz.html
4. Pick two of the following types of cellular transport (filtration, phagocytosis, pinocytosis, diffusion, active transport, facilitated diffusion and osmosis) and describe them to your classmates. What real life analogies can you make to these transport processes to help your class remember?
Filtration is the process whereby liquid, as well as solutes, pass through a cellular membrane as a passive transport with the aid of hydrostatic pressure supplied by the cardiovascular system. Filtration also assists cells with keeping their hemostatic balance. An example of filtration is making hot tea on a cold morning. As drinking water passes through the tea grounds, the tea bag traps the larger particles but makes it possible for the water and tea solute to keep moving through the tea bag to inside the teapot.
The process of a cell, whenever they consume and digest new particles either to collect their nutrients or even to eliminate them, is known as Phagocytosis. This process is generally carried out by phagocytes like neutrophils, microphages, plus macrophages and is thought to be a kind of endocytosis. (Patton et al, 2012). The arcade game Pacman is an excellent illustration of exactly how phagocytosis works. In the game, Pacman needed to consume small pellets for nutrients and also at the same time eat the ghosts because they were attempting to feed on him.
Patton, K.T., Thibodeau, G.A., Douglas, M.M. (2012). Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology. Elsevier: St. Louis, Missouri. ISBN: 978-0-323-08511-3 - Chapters 3, 4 & 5
