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.
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.
