What are Respiratory System Disorders? Also write Factors Affecting Respiratory System Disorders.

Question:

What are Respiratory System Disorders? Also write Factors Affecting Respiratory System Disorders.

Answer:

“Respiratory disorders or diseases are diseases of lungs and human airways that affect human respiration.”

A disorder is defined as a state of irregular functioning of the body. The respiratory system disorders or respiratory diseases are the medical terms used to study about the various types of infections, allergies and other diseases related to the different organs, tissues and specialized cells of the human respiratory system.

The respiratory system mainly consists of the upper respiratory tract, alveoli, bronchi, bronchioles, trachea, pleura, and pleural cavity. The common cold is an example of mild respiratory disorders and other serious and life-threatening respiratory disorders include pneumonia, lung cancer and asthma, influenza, tuberculosis, etc.

Factors Affecting Respiratory System Disorders

There are several factors associated with respiratory system disorders. Few of these factors include:

1. Genetics
2. Allergies
3. Smoking
4. Air Pollution
5. Bacterial and viral infections.

Write Type of Respiratory System Disorders and Causes of Respiratory Disorders.

Question:

Write Type of Respiratory System Disorders and Causes of Respiratory Disorders.

Answer:

Types of Respiratory System Disorders

Respiratory system disorders affect millions of people worldwide. There are three main types of respiratory diseases:

Airway Disease

It affects the bronchial tubes which function by transporting oxygen and other gases in and out of the lungs. In airway disease, the passage for air is reduced, which is associated either with narrowing or blocking of bronchial tubes.

Lung Tissue Disease

Human lungs are covered by a thin tissue layer called the pleura. Due to certain viral or bacterial infections, the structure of the lung tissues are affected, which results in scarring or inflammation of the tissue that enables lungs to expand normally and in turn, makes breathing difficult.

Lung Circulation Disease

This disorder occurs when the blood vessels of the lungs are coagulated, swollen or damaged. This affects the ability of the lungs to receive oxygen and release carbon dioxide. In extreme cases, this disorder may affect the functioning of the heart.

Causes of Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory diseases are caused due to exposure to pollutants, smoking, passively inhaling the tobacco smoke, asbestos, radon, etc.

Respiratory Diseases

Following are the major respiratory disorders or diseases:

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease which affects the bronchi and bronchioles of the lungs. It causes difficulty in breathing and followed by severe cough, restlessness, cough and a wheezing sound while breathing.

Asthma might cause due to the following factors:

• Cold air
• Airborne allergens
• Respiratory infections
• Physical activity
• Air pollutants

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

This includes all the respiratory diseases that cause breathlessness or the inability to exhale. It largely affects people who have been exposed to some sort of smoke. It is a very serious disease and worsens even if you stop smoking.

Emphysema

Emphysema is defined as the chronic disease, reduction of the respiratory surface due to the damage to the lung alveolar walls. It is caused mainly by cigarette smoking. The main symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath and cough. Emphysema might lead to a loss of elasticity of the lungs.

Emphysema may be caused by the following factors:

• Dust
• Chemicals
• Air pollution
• Smoking tobacco
• Exposure to passive cigarette smoking

Occupational Respiratory Disorders

Occupational respiratory disorders are defined as any disorder which affects the respiratory system by long-term inhalation of chemicals, proteins, and dust. For instance, Asbestosis that is caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust.

Occupational respiratory disorders might happen due to the inhalation of the following substances:

• Fumes from metals.
• Smoke from burning organic materials.
• Sprays of varnish, paint, acids, and pesticides.
• Dust from cotton, silica, coal, drug powders and pesticides.
• Gases from industries. For instance, Ammonia, chlorine and nitrogen oxides.

Sinusitis

It is the inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nasal sinus. The mucous membranes produce mucus that drains into the nasal cavities. The bacterial or viral infections or some airborne allergens cause the inflammation of the mucous membranes.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer can develop in any part of the lungs. It occurs in the main part of the lungs. The treatment of lung cancer depends upon the type, location and its spread.

Write Cell organelles and its function.

Question:

Write Cell organelles and its function. 

Answer:

Cell Organelles

Cells are composed of various cell organelles that perform certain specific functions to carry out life’s processes. The different cell organelles, along with its principal functions, are as follows:

Cell Organelle and its Functions

Nucleolus

The nucleolus is the site of ribosome synthesis. Also, it is involved in controlling cellular activities and cellular reproduction

Nuclear membrane

The nuclear membrane protects the nucleus by forming a boundary between the nucleus and other cell organelles.

Chromosomes

Chromosomes play a crucial role in determining the sex of an individual. Each human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes

Endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the transportation of substances throughout the cell. It plays a primary role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, synthesis of lipids, steroids and proteins.

Golgi Bodies

Golgi bodies are called the cell’s post office as it is involved in the transportation of materials within the cell

Ribosome

Ribosomes are the protein synthesisers of the cell

Mitochondria

The mitochondrion is called “the powerhouse of the cell.” It is called so because it produces ATP – the cell’s energy currency

Lysosomes

Lysosomes protect the cell by engulfing the foreign bodies entering the cell and helps in cell renewal. Therefore, it is known as the cell’s suicide bags

Chloroplast

Chloroplasts are the primary organelles for photosynthesis. It contains the pigment chlorophyll

Vacuoles

Vacuoles stores food, water, and other waste materials in the cell

What are the function of cells?

Question:

What are the function of cells?

Answer:

Functions of Cell

A cell performs these major functions essential for the growth and development of an organism. Important functions of cell are as follows:

Provides Support and Structure

All the organisms are made up of cells. They form the structural basis of all the organisms. The cell wall and the cell membrane are the main components that function to provide support and structure to the organism. For eg., the skin is made up of a large number of cells. Xylem present in the vascular plants is made of cells that provide structural support to the plants.

Facilitate Growth Mitosis

In the process of mitosis, the parent cell divides into the daughter cells. Thus, the cells multiply and facilitate the growth in an organism.

Allows Transport of Substances

Various nutrients are imported by the cells to carry out various chemical processes going on inside the cells. The waste produced by the chemical processes is eliminated from the cells by active and passive transport. Small molecules such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethanol diffuse across the cell membrane along the concentration gradient. This is known as passive transport. The larger molecules diffuse across the cell membrane through active transport where the cells require a lot of energy to transport the substances.

Energy Production

Cells require energy to carry out various chemical processes. This energy is produced by the cells through a process called photosynthesis in plants and respiration in animals.

Aids in Reproduction

A cell aids in reproduction through the processes called mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is termed as the asexual reproduction where the parent cell divides to form daughter cells. Meiosis causes the daughter cells to be genetically different from the parent cells. Thus, we can understand why cells are known as the structural and functional unit of life. This is because they are responsible for providing structure to the organisms and performs several functions necessary for carrying out life’s processes. 

Explain Characteristics and Type of Cells.

Question:

Explain Characteristics and Type of Cells.

Answer:

Characteristics of Cells:

Following are the various essential characteristics of cells:

• Cells provide structure and support to the body of an organism.
• The cell interior is organized into different individual organelles surrounded by a separate membrane.
• The nucleus (major organelle) holds genetic information necessary for reproduction and cell growth.
• Every cell has one nucleus and membrane-bound organelles in the cytoplasm.
• Mitochondria, a double membrane-bound organelle is mainly responsible for the energy transactions vital for the survival of the cell.
• Lysosomes digest unwanted materials in the cell.
• Endoplasmic reticulum plays a significant role in the internal organization of the cell by synthesizing selective molecules and processing, directing and sorting them to their appropriate locations.

Types of Cells:

Cells are similar to factories with different labourers and departments that work towards a common objective. Various types of cells perform different functions. Based on cellular structure, there are two types of cells:

• Prokaryotes
• Eukaryotes

Prokaryotic Cells

1. Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus. Instead, some prokaryotes such as bacteria have a region within the cell where the genetic material is freely suspended. This region is called the nucleoid.
2. They all are single-celled microorganisms. Examples include archaea, bacteria, and cyanobacteria.
3. The cell size ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 µm in diameter.
4. The hereditary material can either be DNA or RNA.
5. Prokaryotes generally reproduce by binary fission, a form of asexual reproduction. They are also known to use conjugation – which is often seen as the prokaryotic equivalent to sexual reproduction (however, it is NOT sexual reproduction).

Eukaryotic Cells

1. Eukaryotic cells are characterized by a true nucleus.
2. The size of the cells ranges between 10–100 µm in diameter.
3. This broad category involves plants, fungi, protozoans, and animals.
4. The plasma membrane is responsible for monitoring the transport of nutrients and electrolytes in and out of the cells. It is also responsible for cell to cell communication.
5. They reproduce sexually as well as asexually.
6. There are some contrasting features between plant and animal cells. For eg., the plant cell contains chloroplast, central vacuoles, and other plastids, whereas the animal cells do not.

What is a Cell? Who discovered cells?

Question:

What is a Cell? Who discovered cells?

Answer:

Cell:

A cell is the structural and fundamental unit of life. The study of cells from its basic structure to the functions of every cell organelle is called Cell Biology. Robert Hooke was the first Biologist who discovered cells.

All organisms are made up of cells. They may be made up of a single cell (unicellular), or many cells (multicellular).  Mycoplasmas are the smallest known cells. Cells are the building blocks of all living beings. They provide structure to the body and convert the nutrients taken from the food into energy.

Cells are complex and their components perform various functions in an organism. They are of different shapes and sizes, pretty much like bricks of the buildings. Our body is made up of cells of different shapes and sizes.

Cells are the lowest level of organization in every life form. From organism to organism, the count of cells may vary. Humans have the number of cells compared to that of bacteria.

Cells comprise several cell organelles that perform specialized functions to carry out life processes. Every organelle has a specific structure. The hereditary material of the organisms is also present in the cells.

Discovery of Cells:

Robert Hooke discovered the cell in 1665. Robert Hooke observed a piece of bottle cork under a compound microscope and noticed minuscule structures that reminded him of small rooms. Consequently, he named these “rooms” as cells. However, his compound microscope had limited magnification, and hence, he could not see any details in the structure. Owing to this limitation, Hooke concluded that these were non-living entities.

Later Anton Van Leeuwenhoek observed cells under another compound microscope with higher magnification. This time, he had noted that the cells exhibited some form of movement (motility). As a result, Leeuwenhoek concluded that these microscopic entities were “alive.” Eventually, after a host of other observations, these entities were named as animalcules.

In 1883, Robert Brown, a Scottish botanist, provided the very first insights into the cell structure. He was able to describe the nucleus present in the cells of orchids.

Explain the structure of cell.

Question:

Explain the structure of cell.

Answer:

Cell Structure

The cell structure comprises individual components with specific functions essential to carry out life’s processes. These components include- cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and cell organelles. Read on to explore more insights on cell structure and function.

Cell Membrane

• The cell membrane supports and protects the cell. It controls the movement of substances in and out of the cells. It separates the cell from the external environment. The cell membrane is present in all the cells.
• The cell membrane is the outer covering of a cell within which all other organelles, such as the cytoplasm and nucleus, are enclosed. It is also referred to as the plasma membrane.
• By structure, it is a porous membrane (with pores) which permit the movement of selective substances in and out of the cell.  Besides this, the cell membrane also protects the cellular component from damage and leakage.
• It forms the wall-like structure between two cells as well as between the cell and its surroundings.
• Plants are immobile, so their cell structures are well-adapted to protect them from external factors. The cell wall helps to reinforce this function.

Cell Wall

• The cell wall is the most prominent part of the plant’s cell structure. It is made up of cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin.
• The cell wall is present exclusively in plant cells. It protects the plasma membrane and other cellular components. The cell wall is also the outermost layer of plant cells.
• It is a rigid and stiff structure surrounding the cell membrane.
• It provides shape and support to the cells and protects them from mechanical shocks and injuries.

Cytoplasm

• The cytoplasm is a thick, clear, jelly-like substance present inside the cell membrane.
• Most of the chemical reactions within a cell take place in this cytoplasm.
• The cell organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles, mitochondria, ribosomes, are suspended in this cytoplasm.

Nucleus

• The nucleus contains the hereditary material of the cell, the DNA.
• It sends signals to the cells to grow, mature, divide and die.
• The nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear envelope that separates the DNA from the rest of the cell.
• The nucleus protects the DNA  and is an integral component of a plant’s cell structure