Understanding Common Diseases, Drugs, and Their Effects
Diseases and Their Impact on Health
Diseases are functional or organic disorders that negatively affect human well-being.
Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases are transmitted through infection. Transmission can occur through:
- Direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects.
- Inhaling water droplets or saliva containing germs.
- Consuming contaminated food or water.
- Insect vectors.
- Indirect contact.
The body has evolved defenses to prevent microorganism entry, including:
- Skin
- Mucous membranes
- Macrophages
These
Read MoreCardiopulmonary Bypass, ECG, Pacemakers, Kidney Filtration, and More
Heart-Lung Machine: Working Principle
A heart-lung machine, also known as a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machine, is a medical device used to temporarily take over the functions of the heart and lungs during surgery. It is essential for complex cardiac procedures that require the heart to be stopped.
Working Principle:
- Anticoagulation: The patient is given anticoagulant medication to prevent blood clots.
- Cardiotomy: A surgical incision is made in the right atrium, and a cannula is inserted to drain
Understanding Proteins, Genetic Code, and Biotechnology
Proteins are biomolecules formed by the union of amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids in proteins. Changing a single amino acid causes the protein to be different. Each cell produces thousands of proteins using their ribosomes from free amino acids that exist in the cytoplasm.
There is a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA) that acts as a messenger, copying genetic information from DNA to ribosomes and transporting it from the cytoplasm. The mRNA has a sequence complementary to the bases
Read MoreAnimal Transport Systems: Circulation, Fluids, and Blood
Animal Transport Systems
In animals, the transport system serves a dual purpose: it carries nutrients (gaseous and non-gaseous) and cells, and it eliminates waste products. Single-celled organisms do not require a transport system because they rely on diffusion. However, diffusion is a slow process effective only over short distances, making it insufficient for multicellular organisms.
The animal body consists largely of fluids, approximately 56% of its mass. These fluids are found inside cells (intracellular
Read MoreCell Reproduction: A Comprehensive Look at Processes and Phases
Cell Reproduction: An Overview
Reproduction: The process by which living things produce new generations of individuals of the same species.
Cellular Foundations
Cells: The fundamental units from which new life forms develop are essential for reproduction.
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction involves two parents and specialized cells called gametes. Key aspects include:
Processes
- Gametogenesis: The production of male and female gametes.
- Fertilization: The union of a male gamete with a female gamete,
Biosphere, Ecosystems, and Biological Relationships
The Biosphere and its Components
The Biosphere is defined as the “layer” or ecosphere that includes all living things on Earth.
- Ecosystem: A part or section of the Biosphere formed by all the living things, the physical environment that surrounds them, and their relationships.
- Biotope: The abiotic area of the ecosystem (the physical environment and its conditions).
- Biocoenosis or Community: The biotic area of an ecosystem, or all the living things of an ecosystem.
- Ecology: The branch of Biology that