My Dictionary #2

In class this past week, I mainly learned about connective tissue--its functions, types, components--which brought about lot of new words and terms to study. In this post, you will learn about three different words that are found within, function in, or relate to connective tissues. These are three that were one I didn't know the definition of before, yet were the most interesting.

1. Hematopoietic:

Hematopoietic stem cell (1)

Hematopoiesis is the production of all types of blood cells including formation, development, and differentiation of blood cells. Therefore, the word "hematopoetic" means a blood cell that functions as such. These are a type of connective tissue that comprises of red and white blood cells. Located in the red bone marrow, hematopoietic cells are the blood cells that give rise to all the other blood cells and are derived from mesoderm; which means, it is also a stem cell.

Fibroblasts (2)

2. Fibroblast:
Part of the connective tissue resident population, fibroblasts make up the connective tissue fibers and carbohydrates in the ground substance, which is found in the extracellular matrix. It is in the shape of an elongated nucleus, synthesizing the extracellular matrix and collagen, and also playing a crucial role in healing wounds.





3. Laminin:

Laminin under a microscope (3)

A multiadhesive glycoprotein, laminin can be found in the ground substance of the extracellular matrix in connective tissue. The extracellular matrix is one of two things that make up connective tissue, the other being the cell. I've used laminin many times when I have been asked to take devotions or nature talks simply because God has so fearfully and wonderfully made all of us, and what better for Him to show us this through this protein in the shape of a cross. It shows us that through this protein that functions to connect organs (multiadhesive glycoprotein), He holds us together.

Picture references:
(1) http://microbiologyspring2011.wikispaces.com/file/view/StemCell-Under-Microscope.jpg/228614600/423x317/StemCell-Under-Microscope.jpg
(2) http://www.sciencellonline.com/OLDSITE/site/productimages/Cells/Human/6320_3.jpg
(3) http://www.melvinneo.com/wp-content/uploads/laminin-2-300x220.png

Encounters #1

(1)

I was invited over to my uncle's house for dinner on Tuesday night. I looked forward to it, although it wasn't for any special occasion. My aunt cooked all the food, and it was Indian, which meant there was going to be rice (the staple Indian food) served. Interestingly, it is the Indian tradition that the guest be treated in a very hospitable and royal manner. This may include the hosts doing things like seating you down comfortably and giving you drinks.

However, the one thing that is the most common in the Indian culture is when the hosts serve food on your plate, instead of letting you serving your own food. It doesn't stop there. When you think you are finished with your plate, they keep serving rice, along with the other dishes, even if you think you are full. Although to the Indian people serving more and more food is a form of love and hospitality, I have grown to somewhat disliking this part of the tradition, especially when it's overdone. So, on Tuesday evening, when I was done with my plate of food, my aunt offered to serve me more rice, to which I declined. I declined because eating rice became almost unhealthy to me.

(2)

Almost every single Indian man above the age of 40 whether they live in India or here in the U.S., have humungous bellies. I believe this is because of the overconsumption of rice. Full of carbohydrate and fat, rice is what makes the belly area fat, because rice is what every Indian eats at least two meals a day.  

This incident reminded me of Histology because of the adipose tissue that is built up in the stomach area because of rice. I have personally reduced my rice intake because I want to be one of the few men without a belly. Moreover, I want to be healthy. Although I declined the offer of more rice, I love going to my uncle and aunt's house for some delicious Indian food.

Picture citations:

(1) https://www.pureindianfoods.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/food_display.jpg

(2) http://static.caloriecount.about.com/images/medium/rice-white-medium-grain-157605.jpg

Reflections #1

 

It's been two weeks already, and Histology just keeps getting more and more interesting. Writing down a reflection on the class thus far may seem a bit too soon, but if the class keeps getting interesting, there is usually much to be said.

This science course is not a requirement, neither is it going to appear in the MCAT. However, it is one that is worth taking primarily because it would immensely help with the initial stages of medical school. I was told by a former Histology student to take this course because of that reason, and also because it was exciting. Histology definitely has not disappointed. Although this course doesn't appear on the MCAT, I would strongly suggest any science student to take this course. I shouldn't be saying much because I have only been in five classes and one lab so far, but I think I have seen and learned enough to know this class is worth it.


So far, I've learned about some of the commonly used staining methods to observe and examine tissues and the classification of the four tissue types, starting the in-depth study of the epithelial tissue, including a lab to identify the different epithelial tissues, like picture (1) on the left.

The class itself has been interesting with what it has to offer in terms of the knowledge of tissues, but the professor has made it even better. By doing quizzes, case-studies, and weekly blogs, I have felt challenged, but also passionate about this course. For example, since I have to write different  about different topics in my blog, it keeps my life revolved around Histology. Sometimes I need to learn a few words that I haven't quite understood, write about a process that I find fascinating, connect something from Histology to my practical life, or just reflect on how this class has been so far. So, almost no matter what I'm doing Histology asks me to not just do my homework and assignments and quizzes and readings, but also to apply the things I learn to my life.

There is nothing to be said that needs to be improved with the course so far, and I hope it stays like that. Two weeks, and it has been a blast. Histology, you have become my favorite course this semester, by a long shot.

Picture citations:
(1) https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/images/6/64/Bone_histology_015.jpg
(2) http://medcell.med.yale.edu/histology/sensory_systems_lab/images/olfactory_epithelium.jpg

My Dictionary #1

After the conclusion of my first week of Histology class, I can say I have learned a lot of new words, processes, substances, and chemicals. These are a few that I found unfamiliar, yet interesting.


1. Immunohistochemistry:
A long word to say, but this is a significant part to Histology. A process used to detect proteins in tissue cells by antigens binding to antigens in tissues, immunohistochemistry combines three words together. The words "immuno" refers to antibodies included in this process, while the word "histo" means tissue. This process is mostly used through staining. Immunohistochemical staining can be effectively used in the diagnosis of foreign cells found in tumors.

2. Paraffin:

This is type of wax that is a usually colorless (although it looks white) soft solid which comes from gas, coal, or oil. On the first day of Histology class, I learned about the famous Hematoxylin and Eosin Stain method, which requires paraffin. Paraffin, used as an embedding agent, hardens the tissue so that it can be cut into slices and put onto slides for observation. The picture on the right (1) illustrates a hand put into paraffin mixed in water.



3. Fluorescein
This is the most commonly used dye in immunocytochemistry, which primarily absorbs ultraviolet light and throws out green light. Any antibodies can be put with fluorescein and be applied to tissues on slides to find antigens. This reaction of antibody and antigen can also be used to analyzed and studied with a fluorescence microscope that can give a three-dimensional image of the same tissue. The picture on the left (2) is of fluorescein.

Picture references:
(1) http://diyhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Paraffin-hand-photo.jpg
(2) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Florescein.jpg