Discussion 1: Cellular, Tissue, and Organ System Relationships

a. Imagine you are a specialized cell in the human body. Your task is to research your cell type and then prepare a resume so that you can apply for a job that suits your skills. Organize your resume as follows for your initial post.

Name: State which type of specialized cell you are.

Address: Identify where in the body you can be found.

Place of birth: Identify where in the body you were formed.

Appearance: Provide an image that illustrates your main features (shape, organelles, any special extensions). Images can be added to your post by selecting the image icon as shown below then uploading your saved image

Skills: List your main roles in the body and explain how your various features allow you to perform them.

Clubs and organizations: Describe your role in forming tissues and organs and your associations with any other specialized cell types.

When responding to classmates, describe how your cell would work together with theirs in helping the body maintain homeostasis.

Some examples of cells you might chose to be: nerve cell, red blood cell, sperm cell, egg cell, photoreceptor cell, taste bud cell, heart cell, muscle cell, fat cell, macrophage, etc.

b. Disruption of Homeostasis

Contains unread posts

As a follow-up to your initial post, select a disease or disorder that is related to dysfunction of the cellular, tissue, and organ system(s) that you described in your initial post and answer the following questions:

1.) Describe the symptoms of the disease/disorder you have selected and how the affected cellular, tissue, and organ system(s) are impacted.

2.) Discuss how common this disease/disorder is in the general population.

3.) Discuss any treatments and/or preventive strategies that are used to combat this disease/disorder.

Discussion 2: Exercise in a Pill

U.S. researchers say they have developed a pill that makes you fit without exercising. Scientists at California's Salk Institute for Biological Studies tested a new drug on genetically engineered "marathon mice" that could run non-stop for hours. The new discovery could benefit those who do not get the recommended 40 minutes of exercise per day. Professor Evans said: "If you're out of shape, and most of us are ... you have to do some exercise. ... If there was a way to mimic exercise, it would make the quality of exercise [we] have much more efficient."

Fitness experts are unconvinced by the new discovery. They say there is no substitute for real exercise and a balanced, healthy diet. However, it seems there would be enormous appeal for a pill that does away with the need for strenuous workouts or sweating it out jogging. It could additionally reduce a large number of diseases related to obesity and be used to treat muscle-wasting diseases. The pills are still in the experimental stage.

1. How is a pill like this expected to work on the muscular system? How is it expected to impact other areas of the body?

2. Exercise directly acts on the body's skeletal muscle and cardiovascular system. So how will the brain know that the body just worked out after taking this medication?

3. What negative effects would you expect from a pill designed to mimic exercise?

4. Do you think a pill to mimic exercise would be safe and effective? Why or why not?

Discussion 3: Stress and the Endocrine System

Across the country, people are experiencing increasing levels of stress, periods when they feel overwhelmed by overcrowded inboxes and jammed weekly schedules. Some clinicians say "We're less healthy, both physically and mentally. We have less time for personal pleasures. And we're more dissatisfied with the quality of our lives."

Any time we're in a situation beyond our control, our bodies release hormones in response which allow us to engage our fight-or-flight response. Without them, we would not recognize or react to danger. But when a brain is constantly stressed, confronted with a daily onslaught of overwhelming situations, our bodies begin to pump out these hormones in excess, throwing off the body's other systems and overpowering the immune system.

- Describe our body's hormonal reaction to stress, both short- and long-term and how this impacts our other body systems. Include the endocrine organs and hormones involved. Is stress ever a good thing? If so, why?

Discussion 4: Under Our Skin

Read the following article about the sensory function of our skin and answer the question below in your initial post:

Swerdlow, J. Unmasking Skin. National Geographic.

1. What is the somatosensory system?

2. The article claims that we can live without some of our senses, but not without touch. Why is this so? Give two examples where this proves true, one that is not directly taken from the article (i.e., think of one on your own!).

3. Do you think artificial skin could be developed to have a sense of touch? Why or why not?

Attachment:- Discussion.rar