First, Do no Harm Reflection.
Morphology of cells
A cell is the most basic functional and structural unit of any organism, commonly referred to as the building blocks of life. When we talk about cell morphology, we mean the shape, size, and cell structure. Different cells are shaped differently following their function. The cell morphology is very critical as it can be used to tell other characteristics of the cell. In cell culture experiments that cell morphology is used to confirm the health status of a cell. If a cell differentiates frequently and abnormally, it can cause severe diseases. Morphological changes in the nucleus of a cell have been shown to cause most cancers. Analyzing nuclear and cytoplasmic morphological changes is, therefore, very essential in the diagnosis of cancer. Cell morphology is, therefore, an essential aspect of the functioning of cells.
A 2 two-year-old male presents with a retinal tumor and, ultimately Retinoblastoma.
- What is Retinoblastoma, and what is the pattern of inheritance for this type of cancer?
Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer that develops in children, usually before they reach five. The cancer is formed in the retina, which is the tissue at the back of the eye that detects color and light. Symptoms of Retinoblastoma include swelling, soreness, swelling, and change in the color of the colored part of the eye. The disease is treatable when diagnosed early, even though the consequences of the disease could be life-threatening. While cancer can be caused by mutation of the retinoblastoma gene, the gene can also be passed down from a parent to the offspring. This is to means that the disease can be hereditary or what is called germinal Retinoblastoma.
- What type of gene is the retinoblastoma gene, and how does mutation in this gene give rise to cancer? Be sure to indicate the consequences of mutating one or both of the alleles for this gene.
The retinoblastoma gene (Rb1) is a gene that is responsible for making instructions for making the protein called pRb. The protein is a tumor suppressor and prevents cells from dividing too fast or in an uncontrolled manner. Retinoblastoma is caused by mutations in the Rb1 gene. When mutations occur, they prevent the Rb1 gene from making any functional protein, and hence the cells are unable to regulate cell division effectively. This lack of inhibition and suppression enables some cells in the retina to divide rapidly, causing a cancerous tumor. Mutation of one allele of the gene will cause Retinoblastoma to develop in one eye, but a mutation in both alleles will affect both eyes.
- What is the difference between a germline and a somatic mutation?
A germinal mutation is a type of mutation that occurs in the germ cell (a sex cell destined to become an egg or in the sperm). When the mutant cell participates in fertilization, the mutation is passed on to the offspring. On the other hand, a somatic mutation is a type of mutation that happens in any other cells of the body apart from the germ cells. These mutant cells are not passed on to offspring during intercourse.
- What is the normal function of the pRB protein concerning cell cycle regulation?
pRb protein is a product of the Retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene (Rb1). One of its primary functions is to control the cell cycle and tumor progression. The protein is responsible for blocking S-phase entry and cell growth.
Part 2
Leukemia
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and the bone marrow. While there many categories of blood cells that white blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow are the ones that cause leukemia. While producing the white blood cells, the division and multiplication of cells becomes rapid and out of control. Since the useless and abnormal cells become many, they inhibit the development of other types of cells. With time the abnormal cells being created outnumber the normal blood cells such as platelets and red blood cells. With a diminished number of these cells, body organs do not receive the required oxygen needed, and the body cannot fight infections nor clot blood. In the case of this disease, it is the white blood cells failing to develop well that causes leukemia.
Down syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs when cell division occurs abnormally, resulting in an extra copy of chromosome 21. The additional genetic material results in the intellectual and developmental delays among individuals with Down syndrome. Human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. In a pair, each chromosome comes from either parent. The abnormality can occur during cell division of chromosome 21, resulting in an extra partial or full chromosome. It is this chromosome that disrupts normal development resulting in the characteristics seen in people with Down syndrome. In this case, we can see that the abnormal division of cells resulting in an extra chromosome causes Down syndrome.