Proteins, Nucleic Acids, and Biological Dogma Explained

Protein Functions

  • Structural: Proteins are essential components of cells and tissues, supporting growth, repair, and maintenance.
  • Contractile: Proteins like actin and myosin are crucial for muscle cell contraction.
  • Transportation: Proteins transport substances throughout the body. For example, hemoglobin carries oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
  • Reception: Proteins on the cell surface detect and respond to stimuli.
  • Catalytic: Enzymes, which are mostly proteins, regulate the speed of chemical reactions,
Read More

Human Body Composition and Cellular Structure

1. Levels of Organization in the Human Body

The human body is composed of several elements grouped into different levels of organization:

  • Atoms: Chemical elements forming the molecules of living beings.
  • Molecules: Components from which cells produce their structures.
  • Cells: The basic unit of human life.
  • Tissues: Sets of specialized cells working together to perform a specific function.
  • Organs: Formed by different tissues and have a specific function.
  • Systems: Associations of organs working together to
Read More

Oral and Maxillofacial Abnormalities: A Comprehensive Review

Oral and Maxillofacial Abnormalities

Developmental Abnormalities: These are irregularities in the normal pattern of growth and development. Some dental abnormalities are mild, causing only minor disturbances in appearance, while others are serious and devastating.

Soft Tissue Anomalies

Cleft Lip: This can be lateral, central, unilateral (left or right), or bilateral, also known as harelip.

Cleft Palate: This results from a lack of fusion and can affect the soft palate and uvula, or the entire palate.

Read More

Periodontal Pockets: Clinical Features, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Clinical Features of Periodontal Pockets

Symptoms:

  • Localized pain or sensation of pressure which diminishes with time
  • Foul taste or odor
  • Tendency to suck material from interproximal areas
  • Radiating pain “deep in the bone”
  • Urge to dig with any pointed object
  • Gnawing feeling or itchy gums

Clinical Signs:

  • Sulcus depth more than 3 mm
  • Enlarged bluish-red margin
  • Bluish-red vertical zone
  • Break in the bucco-lingual continuity
  • Shiny, puffy gingiva with exposed root surfaces

Histopathology of Periodontal Pockets

Soft

Read More

Heart Function, Blood Circulation, and Kidney Filtration

Heart Function and Blood Circulation

Phases of the Cardiac Cycle

  1. Atrial Systole

    The atria contract, pumping blood into the ventricles through the atrioventricular valves.

  2. Ventricular Systole

    The ventricles contract. Blood exits into the pulmonary artery and aorta as the semilunar valves open. Simultaneously, the atrioventricular valves close.

  3. Diastole

    The heart relaxes. Blood from the vena cavae and pulmonary veins enters the atria. Blood just pumped into the arteries cannot return to the ventricles due

Read More

Cell Biology: Characteristics, Structure, and Processes

Characteristics of Living Organisms

  1. Nutrition: Taking in, absorbing, and assimilating nutrients (organic substances, mineral ions) containing raw materials/energy for growth and tissue repair.
    • Plants: Photosynthesis – H2O, CO2, Light
  2. Excretion: Removal of toxic materials and waste products of metabolism and substances in excess, produced by chemical reactions in cells (respiration).
  3. Respiration: Breaking down food in cells to release energy.
  4. Sensitivity: Sensing and responding to changes in the environment
Read More