Peter_jaksa's Blog
Answers to Lab Team Week 1 Challenge Questions
Posted By: Peter_Jaksa, Dr. Hawke on Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Questions #1:
What does the prefix “cryo-” mean in cryosectioning?
Answer:
Good job Lindsay, Andrew, Idel and Michael. The word “cryo-” means cold or frozen. It is important that when we section the muscle tissue into thin slices we keep the tissue frozen so that it preserves its characteristics as if it were just obtained from a living Weddell seal. This way when we perform experiments we know that our results are accurate.
Question #2:
Based on what you were told about the job of the muscle satellite cell, can you think of things that make them active?
Answer:
Excellent work Andrew! Damage to muscle tissue such as lack of oxygen from holding your breath for too long, or muscle injury from exercise activates the muscle satellite cells (also known as muscle stem cells). There are many ways to damage our muscles and therefore many conditions that activate our muscle stem cells. If our blood flow becomes blocked, the muscle tissue may not get the required oxygen to live. We also damage our muscle tissue by trauma. Many of our muscles are directly beneath our skin, so when a rugby player gets tackled, they may damage their muscles. Finally, there are diseases that cause our muscles to break down and therefore activate muscle stem cells. Whenever our muscles need to be repaired, our muscle stem cells are activated.
If you want to learn more about a group of diseases called Muscular Dystrophy that cause muscle damage visit this website: http://www.muscle.ca/content/index.php?id=999
Question #3:
Now that you know what cell receptors are, why do you think it is important for cells to have receptors?
Answer:
Our bodies are made up of many different cells and many different organs. Although cells and organs have very diverse functions, they must work as a unit to maintain the human body. When something is out of balance in the body, cells need to communicate with each other in order to correct the imbalance. For example, when your blood pressure increases signals are sent all over your body to help lower your blood pressure. Organs like your kidneys are involved and so are cells that make-up your blood vessels. Each step in this process requires cell receptors for communication or else the cells would never know that something is wrong and the imbalance would never be corrected. Therefore, cells need receptors to communicate and keep the careful balances intact in your body that keep you alive.
Thank you to everyone who answered the questions.
Peter Jaksa
York University
[ Back: Answers to questions | Index | Next: Experiments in the Lab ]