Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse with five years' experience in this profession. I believe it is essential to go back to the basics in all things in order to really understand them. I am fascinated by how our bodies work and I hope I can get my readers to share my fascination. I hope we all learn new things and marvel again at the things we already know. This feature -- which includes a closing section on how disease affects the topic in question -- will run on The Cancer Blog on Wednesdays, and The Cardio Blog and The Diabetes Blog on Thursdays. [The contents in this post are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.]
We looked at the cell in a series of six articles and now we are moving into the fascinating world of tissues. A tissue is a group of cells with similar structure and function. The tissue then contributes to the functioning of the organs in which it is found. Epithelial tissue exists at the body surface where it lines the skin and various organs such as the mouth, nose and other body cavities. It is also found at the lining of the respiratory, reproductive and urinary tracts. All blood vessels are also lined with epithelial tissue. Epithelial tissue is divided into different types.
The first type of epithelial tissue is the covering and lining epithelium. It forms the epidermis of the skin and the outer covering of some internal organs as well as the inner lining of blood vessels, ducts and body cavities. It is arranged by layers and cell shapes. The layers are: simple epithelium, stratified epithelium and pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The cell shapes are: Squamous, cuboidal, columnar and transitional.
Simple squamous epithelium: It consists of a single layer of flat cells that resembles a tiled floor. It is located in the lining of the blood vessels, lining of body cavities and part of the kidney tubules. Its functions are protection and absorption.
Simple cuboidal epithelium: The cuboidal shape of the cells in this tissue is obvious when the tissue is sectioned and viewed from the side. It is located in the secretory portion and ducts of some glands and part of the kidney tubules. Its functions are secretion and protection.
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse with five years' experience in this profession. I believe it is essential to go back to the basics in all things in order to really understand them. I am fascinated by how our bodies work and I hope I can get my readers to share my fascination. I hope we all learn new things and marvel again at the things we already know. This feature -- which includes a closing section on how disease affects the topic in question -- will run on The Cancer Blog on Wednesdays, and The Cardio Blog and The Diabetes Blog on Thursdays. [The contents in this post are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.]
We start with the cell, because so much of what happens to us when we get sick, and how we get healthy again, can be explained by what happens on a cellular level. The cell is extremely complex and I will only touch on the basics in these posts, but at least we can have a rudimentary understanding.
We have discussed cell membranes (May 24), as well as cell organelles (May 31). On , June 7,we discussed the cellular transport mechanisms and on June 14, we discussed the cell nucleus. On June 21 we discussed cell division and today we will end the series on the cell with a short look at protein synthesis.
Although cells synthesize many chemicals to maintain homeostasis, they are mainly devoted to synthesizing large numbers of proteins. Proteins are used as enzymes and as structural materials in the cells. Many proteins are retained in the cell for intracellular use. Some proteins are used to assemble cellular structures such as the plasma membrane, the cytoskeleton and other organelles. There are many specialized human proteins that are exported and function in cellular activities. For example, protein makes up the hormone insulin, the ligaments and tendons of joints, the hair, skin, and nails of the body.
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse with five years' experience in this profession. I believe it is essential to go back to the basics in all things in order to really understand them. I am fascinated by how our bodies work and I hope I can get my readers to share my fascination. I hope we all learn new things and marvel again at the things we already know. This feature -- which includes a closing section on how disease affects the topic in question -- will run on The Cancer Blog on Wednesdays, and The Cardio Blog and The Diabetes Blog on Thursdays. [The contents in this post are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.]
We start with the cell, because so much of what happens to us when we get sick, and how we get healthy again, can be explained by what happens on a cellular level. The cell is extremely complex and I will only touch on the basics in these posts, but at least we can have a rudimentary understanding.
We have discussed cell membranes (May 24), as well as cell organelles (May 31). On , June 7,we discussed the cellular transport mechanisms and on June 14, we discussed the cell nucleus. As we near the end of this series on the cell, we get to one of the most interesting parts: cell division.
One of the features of a cell is it's ability to reproduce independently. In somatic cell division, a cell undergoes a nuclear division called mitosis. Reproductive cell division is the mechanism that produces gametes. This process consists of a two step division called meiosis.
In this post we will look at the process of mitosis. Each of us began life as one cell, a fertilized egg. Each of us now consists of billions of cells produced by the process of mitosis. In mitosis one cell with the diploid number of chromosomes (46, except in chromosomal abnormalities) divides into two identical daughter cells, each with the diploid number of chromosomes. Mitosis is a continuous process compromised of a series of events. This series of events are divided into different stages called: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase and cytokinesis. Prior to these events interphase occurs, which is divided into 3 phases of its own.
A recent study done on mice gives a possible explanation for the increase in diabetes worldwide. In my post on June 14, I mentioned this study on the effects of plastic on insulin resistance. The researchers found that an ingredient in plastic, that mimics the effects of estrogen, can lead to insulin resistance in mice.
The study states this ingredient of plastic, bisphenol-A, is widely used in a variety of settings and that humans are exposed to this harmful ingredient on a regular basis. The fact that this leads to insulin resistance is scary. It is very frightening to think that exposure to everyday substances can lead to illnesses. Oh, wait! Exposure to harmful substances lead to illnesses every day. We are so used to hearing about these things that this is not truly scary, just mildly interesting.
It is up to us to be vigilant about what we put in our bodies and what we are exposed to. What makes this study interesting, is that bisphenol-A is found in such a wide array of products, which we can not completely avoid. It would be interesting to see further studies on this, as it is not conclusive, but I certainly will be more aware about my exposure to plastic.
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse with five years' experience in this profession. I believe it is essential to go back to the basics in all things in order to really understand them. I am fascinated by how our bodies work and I hope I can get my readers to share my fascination. I hope we all learn new things and marvel again at the things we already know. This feature -- which includes a closing section on how disease affects the topic in question -- will run on The Cancer Blog on Wednesdays, and The Cardio Blog and The Diabetes Blog on Thursdays. [The contents in this post are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.]
We start with the cell, because so much of what happens to us when we get sick, and how we get healthy again, can be explained by what happens on a cellular level. The cell is extremely complex and I will only touch on the basics in these posts, but at least we can have a rudimentary understanding. We have discussed cell membranes (May 24), as well as cell organelles (May 31). On , June 7,we discussed the cellular transport mechanisms. Today we will look briefly at the cell nucleus. As with the other parts of the cell, this can be a short discussion or a series of articles in and of themselves. I have decided to stay very basic and not discuss each component separately.
With the exception of mature red blood cells, human cells have a nucleus and some, like skeletal muscle cells, have more than one. The nucleus is composed of three main parts, the nuclear envelope, the nucleolus and the chromatin.
The nucleus is separated from the cytoplasm by a double membrane (nuclear envelope)that have lipid bilayers like the plasma membrane. The outer membrane of the nuclear envelope is continuous with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It controls the movement of substances between the nucleus and the cytoplasm through nuclear pores -- channels that perforate the nuclear envelope. Small molecules can diffuse through the nuclear pores, but larger molecules, like ribonucleic acid (RNA), need to use active transport facilitated by carrier proteins. The other structural element of the nucleus is the cellular lamina, a mesh-work that adds support, much like the cytoskeleton supports the cell as a whole.
A synthetic hormone currently being used by diabetics may also help in the fight against obesity. Amylin is a hormone that contributes to glycemic control. It has been shown to promote satiety and inhibit secretion of glucagon during hyperglycemia, thereby reducing the total insulin demand. Synthetic amlin (brand name Simlyn) was recently approved for use by type 1 adult diabetics in conjunction with insulin.
Rigel Gregg wrote a post on our sister blog That's Fit about the recent study done on this drug. Rigel thinks it may be too good to be true, but I hope that it might be something that works. The participants in the study who received the injections before meals lost 4.5 pounds, while the participants receiving the placebo maintained their weight.
It is exciting to think that something that is now helping type 1 diabetics might also help prevent type 2 diabetics. People struggling with their weight know that losing even just a little bit can be very motivating and we know that losing just ten percent of your weight when you are overweight can have tremendous benefits. I am all for something that might help in our fight against obesity. In the meantime, we will keep watching what we eat and exercising. Sometimes old-fashioned methods work too.
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse with five years' experience in this profession. I believe it is essential to go back to the basics in all things in order to really understand them. I am fascinated by how our bodies work and I hope I can get my readers to share my fascination. I hope we all learn new things and marvel again at the things we already know. This feature -- which includes a closing section on how disease affects the topic in question -- will run on The Cancer Blog on Wednesdays, and The Cardio Blog and The Diabetes Blog on Thursdays. [The contents in this post are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.]
We start with the cell, because so much of what happens to us when we get sick, and how we get healthy again, can be explained by what happens on a cellular level. The cell is extremely complex and I will only touch on the basics in these posts, but at least we can have a rudimentary understanding.
We have discussed cell membranes (May 24), as well as cell organelles (May 31). Before we look at the nucleus of the cell, I would like to do a short post on some of the mechanisms for molecular movement across the cell membrane. Transport across the cell membrane is important to understand, because a lot of the newer research seems to focus on this aspect.
Living cells constantly interact with the external environment, like tissue or blood. In order to do that, materials must move through the plasma membrane, taking in some substances and secreting or excreting others. There are several methods by which movements can occur: diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, active transport, filtration, endocytosis and exocytosis. We will look at each of these briefly.
I feel strongly that going back to the basics every so often enhances our understanding of more complex issues. Knowing the symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) is a good reminder for both diabetics and their family members, as well as people in the community. Talk to your doctor or health care provider and find out what the best course of action is when you or someone else are experiencing these symptoms.
The causes of hyperglycemia are too much food, too little insulin or diabetes medicine, illness or stress. The onset is gradual, but can progress to a diabetic coma.The symptoms are:
Extreme thirst
Frequent urination
Dry skin
Hunger
Blurred vision
Drowsiness
Nausea
Hypoglycemia is caused by too little food, too much insulin or diabetes medicine or extra exercise. The onset is usually sudden and may progress to insulin shock.
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse with five years' experience in this profession. I believe it is essential to go back to the basics in all things in order to really understand them. I am fascinated by how our bodies work and I hope I can get my readers to share my fascination. I hope we all learn new things and marvel again at the things we already know. This feature -- which includes a closing section on how disease affects the topic in question -- will run on The Cancer Blog on Wednesdays, and The Cardio Blog and The Diabetes Blog on Thursdays. [The contents in this post are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.]
We start with the cell, because so much of what happens to us when we get sick, and how we get healthy again, can be explained by what happens on a cellular level. The cell is extremely complex and I will only touch on the basics in these posts, but at least we can have a rudimentary understanding.
Structure of cells
A cell has three basic parts:
1) Plasma membrane: A membrane lies at the border of cells and consists of lipids and proteins. See my post of 23 May on the cell membrane
2) Cytoplasm: All the cellular contents between the plasma membrane and the nucleus and can be further divided into the Cytosol and Organelles. We will discuss the organelles in today's post.
3) Nucleus: Technically an organelle, but usually considered separately because of its numerous and diverse functions.
Organelles
Organelles are specialized structures that evolved to perform specific functions. We could probably discuss each organelle in a separate post, because each one has it's own characteristic shape and function. i decided to keep this very basic and just list the different organelles, what they look like and what their basic function is. We will also just look at the "famous" organelles. There are other organelles, but the ones we discuss will give us a good understanding of what goes on inside the cell.
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse with five years' experience in this profession. I believe it is essential to go back to the basics in all things in order to really understand them. I am fascinated by how our bodies work and I hope I can get my readers to share my fascination. I hope we all learn new things and marvel again at the things we already know. This feature -- which includes a closing section on how disease affects the topic in question -- will run on The Cancer Blog on Wednesdays, and The Cardio Blog and The Diabetes Blog on Thursdays. [The contents in this post are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional medical care.]
We start with the cell, because so much of what happens to us when we get sick, and how we get healthy again, can be explained by what happens on a cellular level. The cell is extremely complex and I will only touch on the basics in these posts, but at least we can have a rudimentary understanding.
Structure of cells
A cell has three basic parts:
1) Plasma membrane: This post will discuss the membrane in more detail.
2) Cytoplasm: All the cellular contents between the plasma membrane and the nucleus and can be further divided into the Cytosol and Organelles.
3) Nucleus: Technically an organelle, but usually considered separately because of its numerous and diverse functions.
Membrane
A membrane lies at the border of the cells. It consists of lipids and proteins.
Phospholipids (one of the three classes of membrane lipids) are formed into what is called a lipid bilayer. This occurs because it is amphiphilic (containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties). The hydrocarbon tails of the molecule are hydrophobic (water repelling) and its polar head is hydrophilic (water loving). As the plasma membrane faces watery solutions on both sides, its phospholipids accomodate this by forming a phospholipid bilayer with the hydrophobic tails facing each other. Picture a row of heads facing the outside of the cell -- which contains water -- with the tails facing in and another layer of the heads facing the inside of the cell with the tails facing in.
Psyllium is not exactly a "food" that fills us with joy when we think about it. We usually only think about it when we are constipated. But this soluble fiber has many health benefits: lowering bad cholesterol, aiding in controlling appetite and weight and helping to control diabetes in Type 2 diabetics.
In diabetes it reduces the post meal rise in blood sugar due to decreasing the glycemic response of foods.There have been studies that showed that lipids and glucose values improved with the use of psyllium. It is believed that fiber-depleted foods lead to higher glucose levels and stimulate excessive insulin secretion. Psyllium may act to break this cycle. It is easy to add psyllium to your diet, since it is a concentrated source of soluble fiber. Just 1/3 cup of cereal with psyllium provides 12 grams of fiber (almost half of our daily fiber needs). Be careful when adding fiber to your diet, though - add it slowly and drink plenty of water to prevent discomfort.
Other studies showed great results in a laboratory setting, but when people were monitored in the real world, there was no difference in the blood glucose levels of those who added psyllium to their diet.
I do not think that any food can be a miracle on its own. However, I think that if we add these foods that we know are good for us (and we know fiber is good for us), we can be healthier. Maybe it is as simple as that.
I am on a quest to lose weight and reduce my risk of Type 2 diabetes, which runs in my family. I know what I should be doing - eating right and exercising, and I am trying my best. I have one vice that I have found difficult in getting rid of, though. I drink a lot of juice and chocolate milk and the staff at Starbucks know my name.
I think the reason I do this is because it is easy to pretend that there are no consequences when drinking these beverages. Unfortunately, the drinks I listed above do have calories, and the really bad part is that they are mostly empty calories with loads of sugar.
A venti Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino contains 525 calories, as much as eight ounces of skim milk, half a cup of fruit, two slices of toast and two ounces of meat combined! It is also almost as much calories as a Big Mac at 560 calories. Apple juice can contain as much as 14 tsp of sugar and 1% chocolate milk (200ml) can contain 5 tsp of sugar.
I do not think that it is worth the calories and sugar content to keep drinking these beverages. Water, here I come!
Studies in Sweden and by the Harvard School of Public health may have found a link between breastfeeding and protection against Type 1 diabetes.
The study showed that children who were breastfed exclusively for longer periods of time may have natural protection against developing diabetes. It was particularly true in children who were breastfed exclusively for longer than five months.
The Harvard study also found that breastfeeding helped protect children from diabetes regardless of whether their mothers were overweight or had health problems. This certainly will be another reason to breastfeed babies for longer periods of time, as the Harvard study also indicated that babies that were breastfed for at least a year had the best protection.
A study has found that there is a link between Type 2 diabetes and glaucoma that is not related to lifestyle behaviors.
The loss of one's sight can be a devastating consequence of diabetes, but I think that even more devastating for some people could be the feeling that they have done something wrong, something to cause their illness. Studies like these are invaluable in letting us know the risk factors but also that there are things we can change and some things we have to be aware of, but that we cannot change by lifestyle alteration alone.
The 20-year study of women in the Nurses' Health Study has shown that Type 2 diabetes is associated with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common form of glaucoma. POAG accounts for about 60 - 70% of all glaucoma. The study took into consideration the lifestyle factors that leads to both glaucoma and diabetes (such as hypertension, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol intake, smoking and family history of glaucoma) and showed that type 2 diabetes was positively associated with POAG. The study was done on women who did not have POAG at the start of the study and who were at least forty years old.
It is very important for diabetics to have regular eye exams and, according to this study, to also be screened for glaucoma.
I might have come up with the perfect excuse to get more sick days from work. A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that job-related stress may boost the risk of Type 2 diabetes as much as the well-known risk factors of high body-mass index, smoking, and poor exercise regimens.
We have been hearing for years that job stress can be a cause of, or contributing factor toward, a variety of illnesses, and this is just one more thing to add to the list. Researchers speculated that people who do not cope well with job stress might also not be coping well with other stressors in life, and might have bad compensating habits such as smoking and overeating.
Techniques for reducing stress might, then, be a life-saving tool. It will make you feel better overall, and reduce your risk of developing a number of illnesses. Here are some tips that I find helpful for relieving stress:
The first type of epithelial tissue is the covering and lining epithelium. It forms the epidermis of the skin and the outer covering of some internal organs as well as the inner lining of blood vessels, ducts and body cavities. It is arranged by layers and cell shapes. The layers are: simple epithelium, stratified epithelium and pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The cell shapes are: Squamous, cuboidal, columnar and transitional.
Although cells synthesize many chemicals to maintain homeostasis, they are mainly devoted to synthesizing large numbers of proteins. Proteins are used as enzymes and as structural materials in the cells. Many proteins are retained in the cell for intracellular use. Some proteins are used to assemble cellular structures such as the plasma membrane, the cytoskeleton and other organelles. There are many specialized human proteins that are exported and function in cellular activities. For example, protein makes up the hormone insulin, the ligaments and tendons of joints, the hair, skin, and nails of the body.
One of the features of a cell is it's ability to reproduce independently. In somatic cell division, a cell undergoes a nuclear division called mitosis. Reproductive cell division is the mechanism that produces gametes. This process consists of a two step division called meiosis. 
A 
With the exception of mature red blood cells, human cells have a nucleus and some, like skeletal muscle cells, have more than one. The nucleus is composed of three main parts, the nuclear envelope, the nucleolus and the chromatin.
A synthetic hormone currently being used by diabetics may also help in the fight against obesity. Amylin is a hormone that contributes to glycemic control. It has been shown to promote satiety and inhibit secretion of glucagon during hyperglycemia, thereby reducing the total insulin demand. Synthetic amlin (brand name Simlyn) was recently approved for use by type 1 adult diabetics in conjunction with insulin.
We have discussed cell membranes 
I feel strongly that going back to the basics every so often enhances our understanding of more complex issues. Knowing the symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) is a good reminder for both diabetics and their family members, as well as people in the community. Talk to your doctor or health care provider and find out what the best course of action is when you or someone else are experiencing these symptoms.
Organelles 
We start with the cell, because so much of what happens to us when we get sick, and how we get healthy again, can be explained by what happens on a cellular level. The cell is extremely complex and I will only touch on the basics in these posts, but at least we can have a rudimentary understanding.
Phospholipids (one of the three classes of membrane lipids) are formed into what is called a lipid bilayer. This occurs because it is amphiphilic (containing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties). The hydrocarbon tails of the molecule are hydrophobic (water repelling) and its polar head is hydrophilic (water loving). As the plasma membrane faces watery solutions on both sides, its phospholipids accomodate this by forming a phospholipid bilayer with the hydrophobic tails facing each other. Picture a row of heads facing the outside of the cell -- which contains water -- with the tails facing in and another layer of the heads facing the inside of the cell with the tails facing in.
Psyllium is not exactly a "food" that fills us with joy when we think about it. We usually only think about it when we are constipated. But this soluble fiber has many health benefits: lowering bad cholesterol, aiding in controlling appetite and weight and helping to control diabetes in Type 2 diabetics.
I am on a quest to lose weight and reduce my risk of Type 2 diabetes, which runs in my family. I know what I should be doing - eating right and exercising, and I am trying my best. I have one vice that I have found difficult in getting rid of, though. I drink a lot of juice and chocolate milk and the staff at Starbucks know my name.
Studies in 
A study has found that there is a link between Type 2 diabetes and glaucoma that is not related to lifestyle behaviors.
I might have come up with the perfect excuse to get more sick days from work. A recent study published in 
