Mineral Salts: Functions, Osmosis, and Trace Elements
Mineral Salts: Composition and Function
Mineral salts are dissociated into ions (anions and cations) and are part of the intracellular and extracellular media.
Functions of Dissolved Salts
- Regulation of salinity: Ion concentrations vary across cellular compartments and must be regulated.
- Regulation of electric membrane potential.
- Regulation of enzymatic activity: Enzymes require specific conditions to function.
- Adjustment of pH: pH is a parameter dependent on biological activity within the cell.
- Regulation
Understanding Diseases: Tumors, Infections, and Health Issues
Understanding Tumors and Their Impact
Tumor: A disorganized mass of bone tissue. Tumors can be benign (localized) or malignant (cancerous), with the latter capable of invasiveness, spreading to other tissues.
Metastasis: The occurrence of new tumors in different parts of the body, often through the bloodstream.
Pharmacology and Adverse Reactions
Adverse Reactions: Undesired secondary reactions to medications.
Dose: The amount of medication needed to achieve the desired effect without causing significant
Read MoreAnimal Classification: Annelids, Insects, Cephalopods, and More
Animal Classification
Annelids. The segmented worms have bodies divided into repeated segments, aiding movement. They possess a true coelom filled with liquid, located between the body wall and digestive tract. They have a closed circulatory system for distributing gases and nutrients. They have excretory organs called nephridia, functioning like kidneys. They reproduce both asexually and sexually.
Insects are the only flying invertebrates. They have a pair of antennae, three pairs of legs, and
Read MoreDigestive System Disorders: Celiac Disease, Lactose Intolerance & More
Digestive System Disorders
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a permanent intolerance to gluten, a protein existing in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. It occurs in people genetically predisposed to gluten.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is an intolerance to milk sugar produced by a deficiency causing lactose. Lactose cannot be absorbed and therefore passes intact to the colon, presenting as diarrhea.
Regulation of Stomach Emptying
There are two mechanisms:
- Hormonal: Enterogastrin is released into
Human Body Systems: Nerves, Hormones, Senses & Functions
The nervous system (SN) perceives sensations and responds to stimuli to maintain our body’s internal balance (homeostasis). It consists of central and peripheral components and various types of cell-secreted chemicals. Neurons have dendrites (short, numerous, capture signals) and an axon (single, long, transmits signals).
Pituitary gland (Hiòfisi) produces hormones including: antidiuretic hormone, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and oxytocin.
The thyroid gland produces
Read MorePlant and Animal Reproduction: Types and Processes
Reproduction in Living Organisms
Reproduction is a vital function that enables the continuation of living descendants.
Types of Reproduction
There are two main types of reproduction:
- Asexual Reproduction: A simple process where one organism creates an identical copy of itself.
- Sexual Reproduction: A complex process involving two parents that produce special cells (sex cells or gametes). Male gametes are called sperm, and female gametes are called eggs. When these gametes unite, they create a new organism