Media, Radio, and the Nervous System: An Overview

Mass Media: Functions and Types

Mass media are systems through which information is transmitted to a broad audience. They are also known as mass communication media. Their functions include informing, providing opinions, and entertaining.

Traditional Mass Media

  • Press: The oldest form of mass media. It uses written language in clear, easy-to-understand texts designed to capture the reader’s interest. It also uses fixed images and design elements, such as color and varied font sizes and types.
  • Radio:
Read More

Understanding Immune Defense Mechanisms: Specific and Nonspecific

Nonspecific Defense Mechanisms

Nonspecific Defense Mechanisms:

  • Skin (mechanical barrier)
  • Mucous secretions
  • Microflora

Specific Defense Mechanisms

Specific Defense Mechanisms:

The cells involved in the immune process are leukocytes, found in the blood or tissue.

  • Granulocytes: Leukocytes with cytoplasm granules loaded with substances that may be released.
  • Agranulocytes: Cells that are absorbing or danticossos.

Nonspecific Immune Response

The nonspecific immune response depends on the type of infecting agents.

Read More

Kidney Function and Body Fluid Regulation

Kidney Functions

  1. Regulation of water and electrolyte balance.
  2. Regulation of arterial pressure and body fluid volume via the Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
  3. Excretion of metabolic waste and foreign substances.
  4. Regulation of red blood cell production through erythropoietin.
  5. Regulation of acid-base balance.
  6. Regulation of Vitamin D production and calcium/phosphate balance.
  7. Gluconeogenesis.

Kidney Structure

Three distinct zones:

  • Cortex: Outer layer; site of glomerular filtration and convoluted tubules.
  • Medulla:
Read More

Genetic Mutations: Types, Causes, and Effects

Genetic Mutations

Mutations are random alterations of genetic material. At the species level, gene variability allows for adaptation to environmental changes, potentially preventing extinction. Mutations have driven the evolution of species. There are two main types: somatic mutations and germline mutations; the latter are transmitted to offspring. Mutations can also be classified by their origin: natural (spontaneous) or induced.

Types of Mutations Based on Affected Genetic Material

Gene Mutations

Gene

Read More

DNA and RNA: Genetic Information and Protein Synthesis

Nucleic Acids

Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids. They consist of:

  • A phosphate group (phosphorus and oxygen).
  • A five-carbon sugar (ribose or deoxyribose).
  • A nitrogenous base: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), or uracil (U).

Nucleotides join to form long chains called polynucleotides.

Types of Nucleic Acids

There are two main types of nucleic acids:

  • Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
  • Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

DNA contains all the genetic information necessary

Read More

Understanding Decision-Making, Cancer, and Health

Steps to Make a Decision

Steps to making a decision:

  1. Recognition of dissatisfaction with oneself.
  2. Decision to change or to fill a void.
  3. Dedication to implement the decision.

Steps to continue making a decision:

  1. Identify the problem.
  2. Recognize the problem.
  3. Establish parameters.
  4. Consider alternatives.
  5. Make a decision.
  6. Evaluate the results.

Understanding Cancer

Cancer: A group of diseases in which the body produces an excess of malignant cells (known as carcinogens or cancerous cells).

Cancer Classifications

Benign

Read More