Proteins: Exceeding the scope of ‘Foods’
Cell sustenance is a phrase coined to denote the several mechanisms and actions employed by the cells to maintain its normal form and to enable the continuity of it’s functions. Cell sustenance encompasses the various means undertaken by the cells to protect itself as a whole and the individual organelles which makes it up as an injury to any of the vital organelles of the cell eventually leads to the destruction of the cell.
Cells are the basic functional unit of life; this is a relatively simplified definition of a cell, yet the most complex definition. Every life constitutes of a cell, this term has also been used in several other disciplines to connote the simpler units which makes up a more complex object which is not necessarily a living thing.
‘Functional unit of life ’, this is so, not only because the cell perform every action attributed to a living thing, but also because every action of our a living thing can be explained in terms of the functions of the individual cells which makes up it’s complexity.
Cells can exist as free living organisms or constituent of a tissue, yet in these two contrasting forms, the cells employ similar and various specialized complex means to ensure that it does not die off, these means are mainly nutritional, homeostatic, protective and procreative means; these means not only ensure that the cells continue living but also that the cells’ strain does not become a extinct, successful cells are the cells which performs these tasks efficiently and hence are extant.
Protectively, the cells posses cell membranes, plants have a rigid cell wall. Just like the crustaceans, many free living cells posses chitinous cell walls made up of N-acetylglucosamine and as a result, the cell is free from invaders, this is also a quintessence of convergent evolution. Other cells posses toxic chemicals which either keeps them away from potential harm or destroys the invaders which successfully enters the cells.
Via procreation, the cells are able to produce offspring which are identical to them or having little differences which may be due to continual division and differentiation.
Free living cells such as bacteria cells procreate through mitotic division, mainly through binary fission, were the parent cell grows, matures, doubles it’s organelles and divides itself into two similar daughter cells; (this is also of importance in epidemiology, as the time taken for the cells to divide gives an insight in the infectivity of the microbe) this is known as generation time.
Mitotic division is also seen in cells which makes up a tissue; in fact, most of the cells in the body divides through this means. Less frequently, the germ cells divide in a way in which the daughter cells contain haploid number of the parents cells' constituents, this is known as Meiosis and is only seen in sex cells; this is to enable the inheritance of characteristics from both parents involved in the conjugation process, procreation ensures that new cells replace the old cells when they die off.
Procreation of cells in humans is of great importance in the maintenance of a normal body form, this ability decreases with age hence the deformities associated with aging, it is also dependent on the type of cell as stable cells such as the cells of the liver and kidney divides reluctantly and the permanent cells such as the cells of the heart rarely or never divides hence injuries or inflammation in this area is often severe, with effects ranging from manageable to fatal, as seen in pathological conditions such as myocardial infarction
))
Sourcewikimedia CC4.0 license. Author: OpenStax
Homeostasis also involved the removal of the waste produced during the cells’ metabolic activities; this is to ensure that these toxic wastes do not accumulate in the cells to cause further harm, a process known as excretion.This is performed by free living cells, parasitic cells and cells which makes up a cell, phagocytic cells creates pores through which debris of digested particles are extruded.
Nutritionally, the cells tend to take up organic and inorganic matter which it breaks down into minerals and vitamins which are used to perform most of its actions, acting as a co-enzyme in the cellular reactions or as an energy store. Free living cells feeds via diffusion, osmosis and bulk transport, where particles move within the concentration gradient into or out of the cells.
Image credit: wikimedia. creative commons license. Author: Mariana Ruiz Villarreal
Through pinocytosis and phagocytosis which are forms of bulk transport, cells can also feed by engulfing food particles and transporting them into the cells' cytoplasm where the food particles encounters various lyric and digestive enzymes which breaks them down into smaller particles which can be accessed by the cell’s organelles, this process is also of importance in the protection of the cells in cases of immunogenic attack.
In humans however, this action is very complex as it involves more specialized cells which performs this action but in essence, this process in both simple and complex cells is relatively or basically similar and have related products.
The process of nutrition is vital in cell sustenance as it ensures that the cells obtain essential nutrients which keeps it fit and functionally active, nutritional deficiency is the leading cause of many defects and diseases seen in both cellular level and higher levels of complexity, such as in tissues and organs.
Essentially, free living cells require carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulphur to produce other required nutrients, these elements cannot be produced by the cells and are hence termed essential. Other elements and compounds which can be produced by the cells are non-essential. In humans; most popular food nutrients are essential and these includes fats and oil, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins, and proteins, these are included in the diets and broken down into monosaccharides, ions, lipids and amino acids, these are accessible by the cells.
))
Amino acid chart credit: pixabay CC0 license. Author: OpenClipart-Vectors-30363
Non-essential proteins can be synthesized by the body and must not necessarily be included in the diet, essential amino acids must be included in the diet as the body can not synthesize them and they are needed if the cells must continue to function properly.
Proteins are very important in cell sustenance, not just as a store of energy, but proteins are vital for various actions of the cells such as the maintenance of hydrogen balance and ensuring that the body fluids do not get too acidic as subsequently toxic, proteins mops up excess hydrogen ions produced during the cells' metabolism and remove them from the body this also plays a role in homeostasis.
Proteins also forms transport molecules for conveying specialized products such as hormones from the point if production to the area where they are needed. Proteins plays a major role in the body’s immunity and proteins repair worn out tissues, this is one of the most popular fiction if proteins as they are required for cell division and hence the replacement of old, tired and cells destroyed due to infections, this ensures that new viable cells are produced to continue the function of the tissues and organs. Proteins are also required for normal growth as these afore mentioned functions are vital for the growth and development of the human body.
))
credit: wikimedia creative commons license. Author: Dr. Lyle Conrad
In this condition popularly known as kwashiokor, there is noticeable abnormal protrusion of the belly, this is due to enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly). The muscles are also depleted and the hairs are shinny and friable. This is more popular in children who are requires proteins more as they are in their active growth stage.
Retarded growth is inevitable; this is seen in both somatic and sexual development as the body is poorly developed and the primary sexual organs and characteristics are also poorly developed. This is because proteins are in charge of the transport of sexual steroid hormones, the action of these hormones are inadequately or not totally executed this condition if not controlled by commencing adequate protein feeding supply via diets or protein supplements. Fortunately, its is easily reversible as the body returns to normal when the protein level is restored.
Cell sustenance exceeds the scope of proteins as just a food; a good knowledge of how the cells sustain itself is important in our daily livelihood as consciousness of our protein intake ensures that the protein level is not exceeded above normal or depleted below normal as excess protein is also mildly toxic to the body.
Plasma proteins are classified into :
Albumins
Fibrinogens
Globulins
These classes differ in function and structure, however, this will be a topic for another discussion.
Thank you for your time.
Cells are the basic functional unit of life; this is a relatively simplified definition of a cell, yet the most complex definition. Every life constitutes of a cell, this term has also been used in several other disciplines to connote the simpler units which makes up a more complex object which is not necessarily a living thing.
‘Functional unit of life ’, this is so, not only because the cell perform every action attributed to a living thing, but also because every action of our a living thing can be explained in terms of the functions of the individual cells which makes up it’s complexity.
Cells can exist as free living organisms or constituent of a tissue, yet in these two contrasting forms, the cells employ similar and various specialized complex means to ensure that it does not die off, these means are mainly nutritional, homeostatic, protective and procreative means; these means not only ensure that the cells continue living but also that the cells’ strain does not become a extinct, successful cells are the cells which performs these tasks efficiently and hence are extant.
Protectively, the cells posses cell membranes, plants have a rigid cell wall. Just like the crustaceans, many free living cells posses chitinous cell walls made up of N-acetylglucosamine and as a result, the cell is free from invaders, this is also a quintessence of convergent evolution. Other cells posses toxic chemicals which either keeps them away from potential harm or destroys the invaders which successfully enters the cells.
Via procreation, the cells are able to produce offspring which are identical to them or having little differences which may be due to continual division and differentiation.
))
Free living cells such as bacteria cells procreate through mitotic division, mainly through binary fission, were the parent cell grows, matures, doubles it’s organelles and divides itself into two similar daughter cells; (this is also of importance in epidemiology, as the time taken for the cells to divide gives an insight in the infectivity of the microbe) this is known as generation time.
Mitotic division is also seen in cells which makes up a tissue; in fact, most of the cells in the body divides through this means. Less frequently, the germ cells divide in a way in which the daughter cells contain haploid number of the parents cells' constituents, this is known as Meiosis and is only seen in sex cells; this is to enable the inheritance of characteristics from both parents involved in the conjugation process, procreation ensures that new cells replace the old cells when they die off.
Procreation of cells in humans is of great importance in the maintenance of a normal body form, this ability decreases with age hence the deformities associated with aging, it is also dependent on the type of cell as stable cells such as the cells of the liver and kidney divides reluctantly and the permanent cells such as the cells of the heart rarely or never divides hence injuries or inflammation in this area is often severe, with effects ranging from manageable to fatal, as seen in pathological conditions such as myocardial infarction
Sourcewikimedia CC4.0 license. Author: OpenStax
Homeostasis also involved the removal of the waste produced during the cells’ metabolic activities; this is to ensure that these toxic wastes do not accumulate in the cells to cause further harm, a process known as excretion.This is performed by free living cells, parasitic cells and cells which makes up a cell, phagocytic cells creates pores through which debris of digested particles are extruded.
Nutritionally, the cells tend to take up organic and inorganic matter which it breaks down into minerals and vitamins which are used to perform most of its actions, acting as a co-enzyme in the cellular reactions or as an energy store. Free living cells feeds via diffusion, osmosis and bulk transport, where particles move within the concentration gradient into or out of the cells.
Image credit: wikimedia. creative commons license. Author: Mariana Ruiz Villarreal
Through pinocytosis and phagocytosis which are forms of bulk transport, cells can also feed by engulfing food particles and transporting them into the cells' cytoplasm where the food particles encounters various lyric and digestive enzymes which breaks them down into smaller particles which can be accessed by the cell’s organelles, this process is also of importance in the protection of the cells in cases of immunogenic attack.
In humans however, this action is very complex as it involves more specialized cells which performs this action but in essence, this process in both simple and complex cells is relatively or basically similar and have related products.
The process of nutrition is vital in cell sustenance as it ensures that the cells obtain essential nutrients which keeps it fit and functionally active, nutritional deficiency is the leading cause of many defects and diseases seen in both cellular level and higher levels of complexity, such as in tissues and organs.
Essentially, free living cells require carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulphur to produce other required nutrients, these elements cannot be produced by the cells and are hence termed essential. Other elements and compounds which can be produced by the cells are non-essential. In humans; most popular food nutrients are essential and these includes fats and oil, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins, and proteins, these are included in the diets and broken down into monosaccharides, ions, lipids and amino acids, these are accessible by the cells.
Amino acid chart credit: pixabay CC0 license. Author: OpenClipart-Vectors-30363
Non-essential proteins can be synthesized by the body and must not necessarily be included in the diet, essential amino acids must be included in the diet as the body can not synthesize them and they are needed if the cells must continue to function properly.
Proteins are very important in cell sustenance, not just as a store of energy, but proteins are vital for various actions of the cells such as the maintenance of hydrogen balance and ensuring that the body fluids do not get too acidic as subsequently toxic, proteins mops up excess hydrogen ions produced during the cells' metabolism and remove them from the body this also plays a role in homeostasis.
Proteins also forms transport molecules for conveying specialized products such as hormones from the point if production to the area where they are needed. Proteins plays a major role in the body’s immunity and proteins repair worn out tissues, this is one of the most popular fiction if proteins as they are required for cell division and hence the replacement of old, tired and cells destroyed due to infections, this ensures that new viable cells are produced to continue the function of the tissues and organs. Proteins are also required for normal growth as these afore mentioned functions are vital for the growth and development of the human body.
credit: wikimedia creative commons license. Author: Dr. Lyle Conrad
In this condition popularly known as kwashiokor, there is noticeable abnormal protrusion of the belly, this is due to enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly). The muscles are also depleted and the hairs are shinny and friable. This is more popular in children who are requires proteins more as they are in their active growth stage.
Retarded growth is inevitable; this is seen in both somatic and sexual development as the body is poorly developed and the primary sexual organs and characteristics are also poorly developed. This is because proteins are in charge of the transport of sexual steroid hormones, the action of these hormones are inadequately or not totally executed this condition if not controlled by commencing adequate protein feeding supply via diets or protein supplements. Fortunately, its is easily reversible as the body returns to normal when the protein level is restored.
Cell sustenance exceeds the scope of proteins as just a food; a good knowledge of how the cells sustain itself is important in our daily livelihood as consciousness of our protein intake ensures that the protein level is not exceeded above normal or depleted below normal as excess protein is also mildly toxic to the body.
Plasma proteins are classified into :
These classes differ in function and structure, however, this will be a topic for another discussion.
Thank you for your time.
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