Premium Essay

Smooth Muscle Cells Research Paper

Submitted By
Words 407
Pages 2
The wall of a blood vessel can be split into three layers, the intima, media and adventitia. Smooth muscle cells are found within the media layer of blood vessel walls. They are the dominant tissue within the media of vessels. Arteries have a greater number of smooth muscle cells than veins, this is due to a greater pressure exerted within arteries. Smooth muscle cells are structurally spindle-shaped and contain an elongated nucleus in their broadest section. They contain actin and myosin that produce contractions.1 They are tightly packed and high in number located between elastic luminae. Smooth muscles are arranged in circular layers in the walls of blood vessels1. Smooth muscle cells are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, they vasoconstrict and vasodilate, propelling blood forward. The contractions of smooth muscle cells are slow and sustained1. Their functionality is …show more content…
Control of cardiac muscle tissue in the heart is autonomic and continuous. This means that it must have excellent endurance and strength properties. Contraction of cardiac muscle causes the systole of the heart. Cardiac muscle cells are striated and contract due to a sliding filament mechanism. Myocardial cells are short, branched and interconnected1. The nucleus of a cardiac muscle cell is elongate and central2. Cardiac muscle cells are also tubular in structure. Cardiac muscles are connected to each other, end to end, by gap junctions called intercalated discs. Gap junctions or intercalated discs provide both electrical and mechanical coupling3. These intercalated disks are arranged perpendicular to the direction in which cardiac muscles lie. Cardiac muscle has a very high capillary density2. Cardiac muscle cells do not adhere to a specific arrangement due to the complexity of the heart as a pump. The cells are multi-directional allowing for a maximisation of pumping efficiency within the atriums and

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Integumentary System Analysis

...hydration by the prevention of loss of body fluids (Martini, 2013). Regulation of temperature controls the body to conserve and maintain the natural temperature, which is 98.6 degrees, Fahrenheit. A few important nutrients consist of vitamin D3 and calcium to nourish the all of the layers. Excretions and secretions are salts, water, and organic wastes. Mothers that give birth produce milk and the excretion plays a big role in the breasts for the proper nutrients to be passed to the newborn. The epidermis is the top layer of skin which really consists of dead cells that reach the surface with sweat pores. The dermis layer of the skin holds the crucial elements such as the Glands, nerves, hair bulb/ root, arrector pili muscle etc. Hypodermis is the lowest layer; it has connective tissue fibers, glands, arteries, and veins. (Martini, 2013). The nails are the protector of the fingers and toes that consists of dead keratinized cells (Martini, 2013). Our hair is the insulation for the skull and adds beauty to boot so everyone isn’t bald. It creates character to each individual. The layers, functions, and structures all play a function in the homeostasis...

Words: 611 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Sickle Cell Anemia Paper

...This paper will describe what sickle cell anemia is, how it effects the human body; as well as the oral cavity. Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary disease caused by abnormal hemoglobin, which causes the red blood cells to have low oxygen levels (National Heart, Lungs and Blood Institute, 2015). Sickle cell anemia is inherited only if both parents have the disorder because it is caused by the genetic abnormality of hemoglobin (webMD, 2015). When there is abnormal hemoglobin it can produce sickle hemoglobin (webMD, 2015). This causes the red blood cells to stick together and create long rod shaped red blood cells when oxygen leaves the cell (webMD, 2015). When this happens it causes the symptoms of sickle cell anemia (webMD, 2015). In people...

Words: 857 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Downfall of Mankind

...Making Mankind The stem cell controversy has ignited great debate around the world. The mere subject makes people stand in arms or profess its place in science. Scientists proclaim that the stem cell is the most powerful cell in the human body. The stem cell has the ability to morph into any other type of human cell. In most religions, stem cell research has been viewed as playing God. The belief that unwanted embryos are being used and the dreaded words “legalizing abortions” in order to obtain stem cells has reviled people worldwide. While politicians in the United States have based their platform for stem cell research for a cure, or attempting to legalize abortions countrywide, is very broad and a very narrow path because of the promises of science to cure all. The religious downfall that we may be playing God, and the constant bantering from our politicians about it is the right thing, and the wrong thing. Scientists have long argued over the leaps and bounds that were made from stem cell research. The history of stem cell research had a compassionate, embryonic beginning in the mid-eighteen hundreds with the discovery that some blood cells could generate other cells within the human body. In the early nineteen hundreds European researchers realized that the various types of blood cells came from a certain “stem cell.” In 1963, the first true study of stem cell renewal took hold when Canadian researchers discovered self-renewing cells in transplanted mouse bone...

Words: 1100 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Blood Doping

...Blood Doping Biology Research Paper Samantha Reid University Seven time consecutive Tour De France champion and yellow rubber band seller of the decade openly admitted to blood doping. His name was Lance Armstrong and not only did he live through cancer, but he was one of the greatest athletes the world has ever known. His list of achievement goes on until his banishment for professional racing and the stripping of his titles. He admitted to using banned substances including steroids and blood doping in an interview with Oprah Winfrey on January 17, 2013. Why would a man with so many accomplishments cheat the system with prohibited procedures and the use of illegal performance drugs? The three topics that rise in answering why Lance Armstrong blood doped is explaining what blood doping is, the advantage and disadvantages of it and drug use in profession sports. To describe what blood doping is one must first understand some key terms. Hemoglobin is a red protein responsible for carrying oxygen in your blood. Another key term is the cardiovascular system and this is an organ system that distributes the blood throughout the body to deliver nutrients and remove waste. And the respiratory system is the organ system that carries out gas exchange in your body. These three things all work together hand in hand like a smooth operating clock. The respiratory system gets the oxygen from the air and transports it to the blood carried in the hemoglobin. The oxygen enriched hemoglobin...

Words: 1382 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

...with writing a paper about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The ALS Association website has described ALS in a very clear and concise manner and I would like to share that with you know. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed. A-myo-trophic comes from the Greek language. "A" means no or negative. "Myo" refers to muscle, and "Trophic" means nourishment–"No muscle nourishment." When a muscle has no nourishment, it "atrophies" or wastes away. "Lateral" identifies the areas in a person's spinal cord where portions of the nerve cells that signal and control the muscles are located. As this area degenerates it leads to scarring or hardening ("sclerosis") in the region. As motor neurons degenerate, they can no longer send impulses to the muscle fibers that normally result in muscle movement. Early symptoms of ALS often include increasing muscle weakness, especially involving the arms and legs, speech, swallowing or breathing. When muscles no longer receive...

Words: 2171 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

New Health and Scoail Unit 5

...are working in a health clinic and have been asked to produce a poster to explain the functions of the main cell, tissue and body components to display in the clinic. Task 4 (P4,M1,D1)You are an advisor in your local sports centre and you have been asked to design and produce an information booklet to explain to clients how the body requires and utilises energy. This should include:Produce a written report on the body’s response to exercise. The report will be based on primary and secondary research. The report will include:Task 5 (P5,M2,D2) 1. An explanation of the concept of homeostasis and its role in exercise and healthy functioning of the body. 2. Measurements collected from practical work involving physical activity and your interpretation of them together with comments on the validity of the data collected.Task 6 (P6)Complete exercise programme and complete data form and graphs sheets | The Brief | Task 1 (P1)Using a large piece of paper, produce an annotated poster of a cell as it is seen under the microscope. You must include the following; * Organelles – nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticula * Golgi apparatus * LysosomesThe notes accompanying the labels should include the main activities carried out by the organelles. Cells: cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm; organelles – mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (smooth and rough), Golgi apparatus, lysosomeTask 2...

Words: 2127 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Librarian

...Hindawi Publishing Corporation Obstetrics and Gynecology International Volume 2013, Article ID 173184, 11 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/173184 Review Article Uterine Fibroids: Pathogenesis and Interactions with Endometrium and Endomyometrial Junction Andrea Ciavattini,1 Jacopo Di Giuseppe,1 Piergiorgio Stortoni,1 Nina Montik,1 Stefano R. Giannubilo,1 Pietro Litta,2 Md. Soriful Islam,3 Andrea L. Tranquilli,1 Fernando M. Reis,4 and Pasquapina Ciarmela3 1 Woman’s Health Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Corridoni 11, 60123 Ancona, Italy Department of Gynaecological Sciences and Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 3, 35128 Padova, Italy 3 Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Tronto 10/a, 60126 Ancona, Italy 4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal University of Minas Gerais and National Institute of Hormones and Women’s Health, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil 2 Correspondence should be addressed to Andrea Ciavattini; ciavattini.a@libero.it Received 28 February 2013; Revised 10 June 2013; Accepted 13 August 2013 Academic Editor: Hilary Critchley Copyright © 2013 Andrea Ciavattini et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids...

Words: 10389 - Pages: 42

Free Essay

Regulation of Physiological Systems by Nutrients

...and hydroxyl radicals) and other reactive species (e.g., hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, and hypochlorous acid) are produced in the body, primarily as a result of aerobic metabolism. Antioxidants (e.g., glutathione, arginine, citrulline, taurine, creatine, selenium, zinc, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A, and tea polyphenols) and antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidases) exert synergistic actions in scavenging free radicals. There has been growing evidence over the past three decades showing that malnutrition (e.g., dietary deficiencies of protein, selenium, and zinc) or excess of certain nutrients (e.g., iron and vitamin C) gives rise to the oxidation of biomolecules and cell injury. A large body of the literature supports the notion that dietary antioxidants are useful radioprotectors and play an important role in preventing many human diseases (e.g., cancer,...

Words: 8508 - Pages: 35

Free Essay

Spychology

...Quarterly Journal of Experimental Physiology (1986) 71, 467-473 Printed in Great Britain FREE INTRACELLULAR MAGNESIUM CONCENTRATION IN FERRET VENTRICULAR MUSCLE MEASURED WITH ION SELECTIVE MICRO-ELECTRODES L. A. BLATTER AND JOHN A. S. McGUIGAN Department of Physiology, University of Berne, Buehlplatz 5, 3012 Berne, Switzerland (RECEIVED FOR PUBLICATION 2 AUGUST 1985) SUMMARY The free Mg concentration ([Mg]i) was measured in ferret ventricular muscle using singlebarrelled Mg-sensitive micro-electrodes. The electrodes were calibrated in solutions containing the [K]i and [Na]i measured in this tissue. In thirteen measurements from seven experiments conforming to strict criteria for calibration and penetration the estimated mean [Mg]i was 04 mmol/l. This is to be regarded as an upper limit since it was estimated by linear extrapolation of the calibration curve. INTRODUCTION Ionized Mg plays an essential role in the regulation of a large number of cellular functions. It is a co-factor in many enzymatic reactions, influences tension development in muscle and modulates amongst others the ionic transport systems in mitochondria (see reviews by Gunther, 1977; Shine, 1979; and Ackerman & Nicholls, 1983). Despite its importance in cellular mechanisms, estimations of the free Mg ([Mg]i) by various methods range from 0- 1 mmol/l to 6 mmol/l (reviews: Flatman, 1984; Gupta, Gupta & Moore, 1984) mainly because of the lack of a simple direct method for its measurement. Direct measurement of...

Words: 3199 - Pages: 13

Free Essay

Comparative Ultrastructural Analyses of Platelets and fibrin Networks Using the Murine Model of Asthma

...ARTICLE IN PRESS Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology 59 (2007) 105–114 www.elsevier.de/etp Comparative ultrastructural analyses of platelets and fibrin networks using the murine model of asthma E. PretoriusÃ, O.E. Ekpo, E. Smit Department of Anatomy, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, BMW Building, P.O. Box 2034, Pretoria 0001, South Africa Received 10 October 2006; accepted 13 February 2007 Abstract The murine Balb/c asthma model has been used successfully for a number of in vivo immunological applications and for testing novel therapeutics, and it is a reliable, clinically relevant facsimile of the human disease. Here we investigate whether this model can be used to study other components of the human body, e.g. ultrastrucure. In particular, we investigate the effect of the phytomedicine Euphorbia hirta (used to treat asthma), on the ultrastructure of fibrin as well as platelets, cellular structures that both play an important role in the coagulation process. Hydrocortisone is used as positive control. Ultrastructure of the fibrin networks and platelets of control mice were compared to mice that were asthmatic, treated with two concentrations of hydrocortisone and one concentration of the plant material. Results indicate control mice possess major, thick fibers and minor thin fibers as well as tight round platelet aggregates with typical pseudopodia formation. Minor fibers of asthmatic mice have a netlike appearance covering...

Words: 5920 - Pages: 24

Free Essay

Labs

...INSTRUCTOR GUIDE Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual MAIN VERSION, Eighth Edition Update CAT VERSION, Ninth Edition Update FETAL PIG VERSION, Ninth Edition Update ELAINE N. MARIEB, R.N., Ph.D Holyoke Community College SUSAN T. BAXLEY, M.A. Troy University, Montgomery Campus NANCY G. KINCAID, Ph.D Troy University, Montgomery Campus PhysioEx™ Exercises authored by Peter Z. Zao, North Idaho College Timothy Stabler, Indiana University Northwest Lori Smith, American River College Greta Peterson, Middlesex Community College Andrew Lokuta, University of Wisconsin—Madison San Francisco • Boston • New York Cape Town • Hong Kong • London • Madrid • Mexico City Montreal • Munich • Paris • Singapore • Sydney • Tokyo • Toronto Editor-in-Chief: Serina Beauparlant Project Editor: Sabrina Larson PhysioEx Project Editor: Erik Fortier Editorial Assistant: Nicole Graziano Managing Editor: Wendy Earl Production Editor: Leslie Austin Composition: Cecelia G. Morales Cover Design: Riezebos Holzbaur Design Group Senior Manufacturing Buyer: Stacey Weinberger Marketing Manager: Gordon Lee Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 1301 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. This publication is protected by Copyright and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means...

Words: 120457 - Pages: 482

Free Essay

Body Systeem

...All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data McDowell, Julie. Encyclopedia of human body systems / Julie McDowell. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978–0–313–39175–0 (hard copy : alk. paper) 1. Human physiology—Encyclopedias. I. Title. QP11.M33 2011 612.003—dc22 2010021682 ISBN: 978–0–313–39175–0 EISBN: 978–0–313–39176–7 14 13 12 11 10 1 2 3 4 5 This book is also available on the World Wide Web as an eBook. Visit www.abc-clio.com for details. Greenwood An Imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC ABC-CLIO, LLC 130 Cremona Drive, P.O. Box 1911 Santa Barbara, California 93116-1911 This book is printed on acid-free paper Manufactured in the United States of America Contents VOLUME ONE About the Editor and Contributors, vii Introduction, ix CHAPTER 1 The Building Blocks of the Human Body, 1 Julie McDowell CHAPTER 2 The Circulatory System, 23 Leslie Mertz CHAPTER 3 The Digestive System, 85...

Words: 218741 - Pages: 875

Premium Essay

Acute Glomerulonephritis Disclosed

...ACUTE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS DISCLOSED _________________________ A Case Study Presented to The Clinical Instructors AUP College of Nursing Adventist University of the Philippines __________________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course NMCN 244, Care of Mother, Child, Family and Population at Risk ___________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction Significance of the Study II. Patient DataBase A. Demographic Data B. Nursing History 1. Developmental Tasks 2. Health History 3. Medical Diagnosis & Chief Complaints III. The Disease Entity A. Review of Normal Physiology B. Theoretical Background C. Statistical Report D. Risk/Aggravating Factors E. Pathophysiology Narrative w/ Documentation F. Pathophysiology Diagram G. Prognosis of Disease IV. Assessment A. Gordon’s or Head to Toe Assessment B. Book Picture vs Patient’s Manifestations V. The Management A. Diagnostic Test Result and Significant B. Therapeutic/Medical Interventions 1. Surgeries/Treatment 2. Drugs C. Nursing Initiated Interventions 1. Nursing Care Plan 2. Discharge Plan VI. General Evaluation of the Study A. Summary B. Recommendation VII. Bibliography I. Introduction Acute glomerulonephritis is a disease that affects glomerular capillaries. Etiologic factors are many and varied; they include immunologic reactions, vascular injury, metabolic...

Words: 11884 - Pages: 48

Premium Essay

Atherosclerosis

...CURRENT DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS 1 Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Atherosclerosis Basher I. Emtebakh Wright State University Laboratory Research 2, Spring 2013 CURRENT DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS 2 Abstract Atherosclerosis is a complex inflammatory process that affects the arterial wall. People of different ages are susceptible to developing the disease. It is considered the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Epithelial injury caused by different risk factors is the initial process of the disease. Nitric oxide liberation, lipid retention, and inflammatory cell proliferation are of significance in the disease pathogenesis. The goal of this review is to better understand the disease process and the role of the atherogenic biomarkers that develop in the affected site during the disease progression. Determining the risk of atherogenic plaque development vulnerability is the main obstacle that faces scientists, followed by making proper diagnosis and choosing treatment. Different imaging techniques, especially the non invasive ones, provide highly useful images to characterize the plaque development. These techniques also contributed to cure many patients at risk of plaque rupture. Prevention and treatment of the disease depend mainly on the proper education of patients and people at risk of developing the disease, and that is done by changing their life style to minimize the risk factors that increase their...

Words: 4999 - Pages: 20

Premium Essay

Foundations of Psychology

...Psychology Psychology is the scientific investigation of mental processes and behavior. Mental processes include how a person thinks, feels, remembers as well as a person’s behavior. When a doctor needs to understand a person they need to know the person’s biology, psychological experience, and cultural context. People’s experiences during their life from birth to adulthood are what shape how they feel and think. Early psychologists established several approaches and schools of thoughts of psychology. These schools of thought are known as the psychodynamic, behaviorist, cognitive and evolutionary perspectives. They came up with these by research and study which will be discussed throughout this paper. In many respects, these perceptions have progressed independently, and at the center of each are singularities the others tend to ignore (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). Despite their differences, each school of thought sought evolution for psychology as well as advancement of human understanding while remaining focused on the unique characteristics of contemporary psychology. Psychodynamic Perspective. The psychodynamic perspective belief is that most of the mental processes and emotions happen at the unconscious or subconscious levels, meaning below conscious awareness. Sigmund Freud was one of the most influential thinkers in the early twentieth century whose work in the psychodynamic perspective influenced...

Words: 1089 - Pages: 5