Understanding Ecosystems: Structure, Function, and Services
Ecosystem Structure and Function
You have looked at the various components of the environment – abiotic and biotic. You studied how the individual biotic and abiotic factors affected each other and their surroundings. Let us look at these components in a more integrated manner and see how the flow of energy takes place within these components of the ecosystem. Interaction of biotic and abiotic components results in a physical structure that is characteristic for each type of ecosystem. Identification
Read MoreInterleukin Family: Roles and Functions
- IL-1: Produced by macrophages and epithelial cells, IL-1 induces the acute phase response. It activates T cells and macrophages, contributing to immune response development. IL-1 works alongside TNF in innate immunity and inflammation.
- IL-2: Produced by Th1 cells, IL-2 stimulates the growth and differentiation of T lymphocytes.
- IL-3: Produced by Th2 lymphocytes, IL-3 stimulates stem cells from bone marrow.
- IL-4: Involved in the proliferation of B cells, mast cells, and T lymphocytes. IL-4 plays a crucial
Understanding Genome Mutations, Mutagens, and Evolution
Genome Mutations
Genome mutations affect the number of chromosomes characteristic of a species. These mutations appear to be related to abnormal segregation of chromosomes during meiotic division. We distinguish two types: aneuploidy and euploidy.
Aneuploidy
Aneuploidy consists of a change in the number of chromosomes by gain or loss of one or more of them. There are several types:
- Nullisomy: Missing a pair of homologous chromosomes (2n-2 chromosomes).
- Monosomy: Missing a single chromosome (2n-1 chromosome)
Gene Therapy Risks & Food Production with Microorganisms
Risks of Gene Therapy
The risks associated with gene therapy include:
- Undesirable health effects (e.g. cancers, death)
- If gene insertion occurs in the wrong location, it may affect the functioning of pre-existing genes that are vital within the genome.
- Viral vectors may infect healthy cells or tissues.
- Virus may revert to original form (mutate) and become pathogenic.
- Virus entry may trigger an immune response, leading to inflammation, toxicity, and organ failure.
- Treatment must be repeated at regular intervals,
Urinalysis: Understanding Urine Tests and Results
Urinalysis: A Comprehensive Examination
A urinalysis, or complete urine examination, involves the physical and chemical analysis of urine, along with a microscopic examination of sediment obtained from centrifuged urine under standard conditions.
Urine Sample Integrity
The analysis can be compromised by delays or alterations that affect test quality:
- pH changes
- Lysis of leukocytes
- Loss of cylinders and cells
- Bacterial growth
- Decreased glucose
- Oxidation of bilirubin and urobilinogen
Preservation of Urine Samples
Proper
Read MoreUnveiling Evolution: Lamarck, Darwin, and Evidence
Lamarck’s Hypothesis on Evolution
Lamarck’s hypothesis includes ideas such as the following:
- The transformer: a worm, for example, could enter a cocoon and emerge transformed into a butterfly.
- Inheritance of acquired characters: an animal in a polluted environment will adapt to that environment.
Evidence of Evolution
In 1859, Charles Darwin’s theory on the origin of species laid the foundations of biological evolution. Darwin argued that living things that inhabit our planet are products of a process
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