Questions concerning Biology - Essay Example

Questions Evaluate the contribution of free radicals to disease development Reactive oxygen species and free radicals present in the body of human are derived essentially from the regular metabolic processes that take place in the human body or from external sources such as industrial chemicals, cigarettes, x-rays, air pollutants and ozone. The formation of free radicals takes place in our cells as the result of the enzymatic as well as the non-enzymatic reactions. Enzymatic reaction, which is a source of formation of free radicals, may take place in the cytochrome P450 system, in prostaglandin synthesis, in phagocytosis and in the respiratory chain (Vani, et al., 2013). Free radicals do have the ability to arise in the non-enzymatic reaction, when oxygen reacts with organic compounds. Ionizing radiation may also give rise to free radicals. Some internally generated sources of free radicals are peroxisomes, exercise, mitochondria, inflammation, phagocytes, archidonate pathways, reperfusion and reactions which include iron and other transition metals (Sotgia, et al., 2014). It is a well-accepted fact that incidence of disease increases with age. A reasonable explanation regarding the association of disease and age is related to the implication of free radical reactions taking place in the pathogenesis of several disorders. Free radical reactions produce progressive negative changes in an individual that accumulate with age throughout the human body. Such “normal” changes are common in all individuals. However the formation of free radicals is also controlled by patterns influenced by environmental and genetics differences modulating free radical damage (Rahman, 2007). Ample evidence is present regarding the fact that diseases at specific age are determined by environmental and genetic factors. Atherosclerosis and cancer, the two major condition of death are considered to be the result of free radical disease. The initiation of cancer is usually associated with oncogene activation and chromosomal defects. The white blood cells present in human body release free radicals for the purpose of destroying the invasion of pathogenic microbes. Hence free radicals are not always harmful. They do serve for useful purpose in the human body (Bahorun, et al., 2006). Critically evaluate the statement “Atherosclerosis, one disease – many causes As individual age, their arteries begin to harden and get narrow naturally, which leads to atherosclerosis (Castillo-Richmond, et al., 2000). However there are number of factors such as alcohol, family history, ethnicity and air pollution that accelerate this process. However the important factors that may cause atherosclerosis are described below in detail: Cholesterol and high fat diet Cholesterol is a kind of fat that is essential for the functioning of the human body. It helps in the production of hormones and protects the ending of nerves. Most of the essential cholesterol required by the body is manufactured by the liver. However when an individual intakes food rich in saturated fat, the fat gets broken down into LDL, which is considered to be bad cholesterol. Foods that are rich in saturated fat are cream, butter, cakes, sausages, bacon, biscuits and processed meat. The LDL sticks to the artery wall of an individual as fat deposition, which with time reduces and buildup blocking the supply of blood (Anon., 2013). Smoking Smoking is a source of damaging the walls of the arteries. If an individual’s arteries are damaged due to smoking then the platelets will cluster together at the site of the damage and will try to repair the arteries. This causes the narrowing of the arteries (Anon., 2013). High Blood pressure High blood pressure damages the arteries the same was as cigarette smoke does. Human arteries are designed for pumping blood at a certain pressure. If the pressure exceeds the limits there are chances for the arteries to explode. The wall of the arteries may damage as the result of high blood pressure (Martel, 2013). Diabetes If an individual is suffering from poorly controlled type I and type II diabetes, then the excess glucose present in blood may be a source of damaging the walls of the arteries (Bonow, 2011). Justify the statement “many diseases develop as a consequence of weaknesses within the immune system Human immune system is a network of cells, tissues and organs working together to defend the harmful bodies attacking human system. It helps the human body to recognize the foreign invaders present in human body. If an individual’s immune system is weakened, it does not perform its job properly and this result can be dangerous for the human body (Anon., 2013). Diagnosis for weakened immune system is vital as an impaired immune system can be a serious threat to human body. The daily immune challenges faced by an individual have intensified the need for the maintenance of optimum immune function. An individual requires a balanced and strong immune system for the maintenance of health. By the use of natural agents the weakness or imbalance of the immune system can be restored (Anon., 2013). Asthma is the condition categorized as the over activation of the immune system in the airways of the lungs. People suffering from asthma face periodic compression of the airways which makes it harder to breathe. Most of the patients suffering from asthma experience ongoing inflammation in the airways. The treatment of asthma includes the regular inhalation of corticosteroid, which results in the reduction of inflammation and over activity of the immune system (Anon., 2013). Allergies results from the overreaction of the immune system and threatening foreign substances. Inhaled particles (such as pollen), foods and pet dander are some of the common allergens. Deficient and weakened immune system leads to dysfunction such as tumor growth and autoimmune diseases (Anon., 2013). As an understanding of the aetiology of Type 2 diabetes mellitus has developed it should now be classed as a syndrome not an individual disorder. Evaluate this statement. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is considered to be a syndrome, not a disease, because there are various symptoms attached to it. Whereas a disease is categorize by an abnormal functioning of any organ of human body. Symptoms of diabetes 2 Mellitus are same as the symptoms of high glucose level in blood. However the prominent symptoms of this disease are excessive urination, weight loss, hunger, thirst and increased susceptibility of fungal and yeast infections (Anon., 2013). Extremely high glucose level in blood may lead to complication named hyperosmolar syndrome, which is considered as a life threatening type of dehydration. In most of the cases hyperosmolar syndrome is the prominent symptom, which indicates that the patient may be suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. It often causes nausea, weakness, confused thinking, and an acute condition may even lead to coma. Cure of type 2 diabetes mellitus may produce symptoms that may lead to hypoglycemia that is categorized as low blood glucose level. Patients suffering from type 2 mellitus take medication for reducing their blood glucose level but at times these medications may drop this level below normal (Povel, et al., 2013). Symptoms of hyperosmolar syndrome are dizziness, sweating, hunger, confusion, trembling, loss of consciousness and seizures. Hyperosmolar can be corrected by drinking and eating food rich in carbohydrates. This results in increasing the blood glucose level of patients. Type 2 mellitus can be diagnosed by checking the glucose level of blood. The blood of patients showing symptoms of type 2 mellitus is tested in the morning after they have fasted for the whole night (Hopkins, 2013). Asthma is a consequence of an incorrectly regulated immune response, is it true to say it is also a consequence of a disprogrammed immune system?’ Discuss. The same system that is responsible for protecting your body against harmful pathogens may also be responsible for worsening the conditions of asthma. Normally the responsibility of the immune system is to protect human body from foreign viruses and bacteria. However in asthma and other allergic conditions, the immune system may contribute in worsening the symptoms (Bass, 2013). When a human body is exposed to allergen for the first time, the individual will normally not develop any symptoms. Inhalation of substances such as dust mites or pollen may bind to the membrane of the lungs. Immunologically, the human body senses the foreign particles and stimulates different body cells present in the body. At this particular point the allergens present in the human body trigger the allergy cascade. Due to the subsequent exposure to the allergen, the human body may develop the symptoms of asthma (Anon., 2005). In the late phase of asthma, the symptoms develop for at least 4 hours but could last for as long as 24 hours. The increased inflammation and obstruction of airflow can be much more severe than the symptoms that develop in the early phase (Ghosh & Xavier, 2011). The most common approach for avoiding allergens is to prevent the allergic cascade from occurring. This may only be effective for some allergens such as pet dander and some specific food. Allergens such as molds and dust may be avoided by the help of medications. Better understanding of working of the immune system provides a better understanding of the symptoms of asthma (Millar, 2013). Bibliography Anon., 2005. IGES ROLE IN ALLERGIC ASTHMA. [Online] Available at: http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=16&cont=54 [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Anon., 2013. Atherosclerosis - Causes. [Online] Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Atherosclerosis/Pages/Causes.aspx [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Anon., 2013. Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease. [Online] Available at: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/atherosclerosis-and-coronary-artery-disease [Accessed 6 Aapril 2014]. Anon., 2013. Disorders of the Immune System. [Online] Available at: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/Encyclopedia/Content.aspx?ContentTypeID=134&ContentID=123 [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Anon., 2013. Immune System and Disorders. [Online] Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/immunesystemanddisorders.html [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Anon., 2013. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. [Online] Available at: http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/type-2-diabetes-mellitus.html [Accessed 4 April 2014]. Anon., 2013. Weakened Immune System: Overview. [Online] Available at: http://www.diagnose-me.com/symptoms-of/weakened-immune-system.html [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Anon., 2013. What Are Immune System Disorders?. [Online] Available at: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/immune-system-disorders [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Bahorun, D. T., Soobrattee, M. M., Luximon-Ramma, M. V. & Aruoma, P. O., 2006. Free Radicals and Antioxidants in Cardiovascular Health and Disease. Internet Journal of Medical , 1(2), pp. 25-41. Bass, P., 2013. Asthma & Your Immune System. [Online] Available at: http://asthma.about.com/od/asthmabasics/a/Asthma_Immune.htm [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Bonow, 2011. A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9 ed. Philadelphia: An Imprint of Elsevier. Castillo-Richmond, RH, Schneider & Alexander, 2000. Effects of stress reduction on carotid atherosclerosis in hypertensive African Americans. Stroke, 31(3), pp. 568-573. Ghosh, U. & Xavier, D., 2011. 11 things that can weaken your immune system. [Online] Available at: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-health-11-things-that-weaken-immune-system/20110104.htm [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Hopkins, J., 2013. Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome. [Online] Available at: http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/diabetes/247-1.html [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Martel, J., 2013. Atherosclerosis. [Online] Available at: http://www.healthline.com/health/atherosclerosis [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Millar, S., 2013. Are Your Asthma and Allergies Caused by A Low Immune System?. [Online] Available at: http://www.dramatic-asthma-relief.com/asthma07.htm [Accessed 6 April 2014]. Povel, C. M. et al., 2013. Metabolic Syndrome Model Definitions Predicting Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. Diabetes Care, 36(2), pp. 362-368. Rahman, K., 2007. Studies on free radicals, antioxidants, and co-factors. NCBI, 2(2), p. 219–236. Sotgia, S. et al., 2014. Clinical and Biochemical Correlates of Serum L-Ergothioneine Concentrations in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults. PloS One, 9(1). Vani, M. G. et al., 2013. Antcin C from Antrodia cinnamomea Protects Liver Cells Against Free Radical-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis In Vitro and In Vivo through Nrf2-Dependent Mechanism. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Read More