Psyxwar's Biology 3/4 Question Thread

[AbominableMowman]

What is the role of streptokinase in blood clotting? and does it have a role in an inflammatory response?
Thanks in advance 

[Scooby]

You definitely don't need to know this but...

It's a protein produced by a streptococci (a genus of bacteria) that activates plasmin, which is an enzyme involved in the breakdown of the fibrin that makes up blood clots

[AbominableMowman]

You definitely don't need to know this but...

It's a protein produced by a streptococci (a genus of bacteria) that activates plasmin, which is an enzyme involved in the breakdown of the fibrin that makes up blood clots

Apparently it's on our SAC..
Our school makes extremely difficult SACs, stuff that's not even in the study design..
Thanks for the answer

[psyxwar]

Apparently it's on our SAC..
Our school makes extremely difficult SACs, stuff that's not even in the study design..
Thanks for the answer

Can't they make extremely difficult SACs that are in the study design? That'd actually prepare you guys more wouldn't it?

Also: do we need to know about dendritic cells? Do they happen to go by a different name (think my teacher made a passing comment that they were called something else here in Aus or something...)

[Scooby]

Can't they make extremely difficult SACs that are in the study design? That'd actually prepare you guys more wouldn't it?

Also: do we need to know about dendritic cells? Do they happen to go by a different name (think my teacher made a passing comment that they were called something else here in Aus or something...)

Just know that they're a type of antigen-presenting cell. As for another name - I've only heard them called dendritic cells

[AbominableMowman]

Can't they make extremely difficult SACs that are in the study design? That'd actually prepare you guys more wouldn't it?

They can, but its just annoying when its extremely difficult LOL

[simpak]

Just know that they're a type of antigen-presenting cell. As for another name - I've only heard them called dendritic cells

They are referred to as dendritic cells here!  Everyone who has ever taught me in the Immunology department has referred to them as such.

[psyxwar]

Just know that they're a type of antigen-presenting cell. As for another name - I've only heard them called dendritic cells

Thanks!

Are bacteria able to invade cells? What are some ways in which they actually cause disease?

[Russ]

Some are capable of invading, yes.

How they actually cause disease is rather complicated and varies from each bacterium to the next, so I'm not sure you need to worry about it.

[psyxwar]

Thanks. I was worried I had somehow managed to miss a huge chunk of the course...

[psyxwar]

How would a lack of apoptosis (potentially) lead to autoimmune diseases? Is it just your WBCs don't get killed off when they should and age and eventually lose their ability to distinguish between certain self and non-self markers and thus kill off cells that have self-markers?

[Russ]

They won't really lose the ability, it's more that a lack of apoptosis means that the body will allow self reactive cells to be made in the first place

[psyxwar]

Thanks.

Capsicin has been used in some inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis. Creams, containing capsaicin are rubbed into painful joints and this brings relief from pain. Suggest a mechanism for the action of such a cream.
Okay so the answer is that "with continual exposure to capsaicin the nerves cannot produce the neurotransmitters in sufficient quantities, leading to a reduction in the sensation of pain".

Can someone explain to me just how this works? Does this just mean there'd initially be more pain (as you have more neurotransmitter released), but the pain subsides because you are running out of neurotransmitter due to overstimulation?

[psyxwar]

What would be a good definition for a cytokine? Is something like "a chemical signalling molecule used by cells of the immune system" sufficient? I understand it isn't the most accurate definition though.

[Yacoubb]

What would be a good definition for a cytokine? Is something like "a chemical signalling molecule used by cells of the immune system" sufficient? I understand it isn't the most accurate definition though.

A cytokine is a chemical signalling molecule that acts on specific cells which posess specific receptors to trigger a specific response.

Could be really wrong ^ though lol