Reflection: Journal Post 10

The semester is winding down! These points in the semester usually feel like a weight is slowly but surely being lifted off my shoulders. This year, however, feels different. I can feel the world pushing down on me as a reminder that my college years are coming to a close.

Taking Cell and Molecular Biology has opened my eyes to a completely different side of biology. A cell has so many functions and contains small individual pieces within it that also have many functions. I seek a profession in medicine as a surgeon and want to be the best surgeon I can be. I want to make the most of my education and while I may slack off sometimes, my intentions are good and my mind is in the right place. When I first started the class, the concept was so specific and felt that I wouldn't like the class because of this. It wasn't until recently--unfortunately--that I became more focused and determined in this class.

My biggest realization these past couple weeks has been that the path I've chosen is no cake walk. Of course, I already knew that but I realized the depth of the entire image. There are so many little pieces that could affect the way I treat a patient as a medical professional. The same dedication and focus I put into my work now has to remain constant for the rest of my studies and career as a medical professional. 

I don't know how this class will end for me (even though I'm hoping for a decent grade.) I do know that this is the time for my determination and hard work to kick it up a few notches. I'm ready to love what I do and give it my all.

Dictionary: Journal Post 9

The following terms are from Chapter 12 which deals with the cytoskeleton and cellular movement. I chose these terms because I wanted to have a better understanding of their structure and roles in the cell.

Actin is a protein that forms microfilaments. It is also a main component in the structure of the cytoskeleton. One particular function it has in cellular movement is in muscular contraction where it interacts with filaments of myosin, another protein used in muscle contraction. Actin filaments are typically small, thin filaments and contain polarity. The monomers in actin are added at a rate that is proportional to concentration. This is characterized by the term critical concentration where the rate of polymerization equals the rate of dissociation. Actin can be organized in multiple ways, which include bundled or network organization.

Intermediate Filaments are the second of the three cytoskeletal filaments. They help provide mechanical support for the plasma membrane as well as function with other filaments in the cytoskeleton. They provide tension and resist stretching which keeps the shape of the cytoskeleton. These filaments do not contain polarity. Vimetin and Desmin are some intermediate filaments which help to form the cytoskeleton.

Microtubules are a filamentous structure which are important for their role in cellular movement. They also play a role in cellular division, the cytoskeleton, and intracellular transport. Microtubules are formed by tubulin. Tubulin heterdimers assemble into protofilaments and then to microtubules. Microtubules also place organelles in the cytoplasm.









For more information, the following websites can be visited.

Microtubules
Actin
Intermediate Filaments

Encounter: Journal Post 8

While finding a topic for my paper this week, I found myself searching through many different news articles in search of something interesting enough to write about. As I sit by myself in my room with  my computer, I came across an article entitled "Northeastern Researchers Connect Diseases on Their Molecular Similarities." The article spoke of a team of scientists working for Northeastern University who made a mathematical tool that is designed to analyze in the molecular interactions between cells. With this research they found some unusual connections and relationships to between certain diseases.
The team studied almost 300 diseases that have 20 genetic similarities and found that nearly 75 percent of these diseases were related and were located in a specific location of an interactome--a map of molecular interactions between cells. This information and research provides more information on how certain diseases and cells work together. They are able to understand that the interactions and relationships are dependent on their location in the interactome and overall how to approach certain diseases.
As I do more research and as I progress in this class, I am beginning to realize how great the scientific community is and how much it is advancing while many people have no realization of its advancement. Of course we as a society know that we are much smarter and more prepared scientifically and medically to handle certain scenarios than we were a hundred years ago, but I'm not sure everyone understands the magnitude. I learned that I definitely didn't. It is important that I come across articles and knowledge such as this because it will help me be more prepared for my future as a professional.

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