Effects and Importance of Osmosis

Effects and Importance of Osmosis Osmosis is the movement (natural) of a solvent, in the case of living organisms (water) selectively through a semi-permeable membrane down a water potential gradient. In other words it is the movement of water across a selectively semi- permeable membrane from an area of high water potential (low solute concentration) to an area of low water potential (high solute concentration) (Bowen, 2000). Semi-permeable membrane A membrane is partially (semi) permeable, if it will let in water molecules but not the molecules or ions dissolved in water (the solutes such as sugar molecules). Many cell membranes function in this manner. Osmosis is there for an important mechanism in the transport of fluids in living organisms (Bowen, 2000). Osmosis: Movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration. Key: Water, o Solute Osmosis is important in biological systems, as many biological membranes are semi-permeable. In general, these membranes are impermeable to organic solutes with large molecules, such as polysaccharides, while permeable to water and small, uncharged solutes. Permeability may depend on: solubility properties, charge, or chemistry, as well as Solute size. Water molecules travel through the plasma cell wall, tonoplast (vacuole) or protoplast in two ways, either by diffusing across the phospholipids bilayer directly, or via small transmembrane proteins similar to those in facilitated diffusion and in creating ion channels). Osmosis provides the primary means by which water is transported into and out of cells. The turgor pressure of a cell is largely maintained by osmosis, across the cell membrane, between the cell interior and its relatively hypotonic environment (Maton et al., 1997). The process of osmosis accounts for many functions that maintain life. In relation to blood cells, blood cells placed in pure distilled water will swell and burst. If these cells are placed in a Hyper osmotic (hypertonic) solution, i.e., the solution has more dissolved particles, salts, sugar, etc., than is in the cells, they will shrivel up (a process called crenation in the case of blood cells). The energy that drives the process of osmosis is called osmotic pressure. In animal (human beings included), the red blood cells are very important to the survival of the organism because they transport oxygen from the gills, skin, or lungs to the cells of the various tissues (muscles, nerves, etc.). These blood cells are transported in a fluid (serum) that has approximately the same salt content as sea water. Effects of Osmosis on Red Blood Cells Red blood cells as in all animal cells dont have cell walls. In cases of hypotonic solutions, red blood cells will swell up and burst (explode) .when the cell is in danger of bursting due to accumulation of too much water in it, contractile vacuoles will pump out the water out of the cell to prevent it from bursting. In hypertonic solutions, water will diffuse out of the cell due to osmosis and the cell shrinks. For the red blood cell to stay in its normal condition, its always surrounded by isotonic solution. If the concentration of the cells cytoplasm is lower then medium (the medium is hypotonic) surrounding the cell, then osmosis will result by the cell gaining water, hence the cell will swell up and burst. If the concentration of the water inside the cell is the same as that outside the cell (the medium is isotonic solution), there exists a dynamic equilibrium, meaning the number of cells getting in and leaving the cells is the same hence the cell will retain its original size. The red blood cell retains its shape because of the isotonic nature of the plasma. If the water concentration inside the cell is higher than that of the medium (the media is a hypertonic solution), hence the number of molecules diffusing out will be more than that entering, and the cell will shrink. The kidneys in the human body provide the necessary regulatory mechanism for the blood plasma and the concentration of water and salt removed from the blood by the kidneys, which is controlled by the hypothalamus. This process of regulating the salty and the mineral salts in the blood is called osmoregulation. Osmosis and diffusion a have related concepts: Both processes involve the movement of materials from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Diffusion involves the movement of chemical molecules from a low concentration to a higher concentration whereas osmosis involves the movement of water molecules from a high to low concentration via a semi permeable membrane. Importance of Osmosis in the animal/human body Salts and minerals are transferred from water through osmosis. Osmosis transfers water through the plasma membrane (which is selective and semi permeable) of the cell. It manages the mixing of water, glucose and salts in the body cells, this is important, otherwise the cells would loose too much water and eventually die. Hence osmosis plays an important role in keeping the cells alive. Osmosis plays an important role in the functioning of the kidneys, it is also important in the helping to transfer water and various nutrients between the blood and fluid of the cells. People who suffer from kidney diseases depend in kidney machines to remove waste substances (products from their blood, such machines use a process called dialysis, which is similar to the process of osmosis. Salt water fish constantly consume a lot of water, which is released to the environment through osmosis, while fresh water fish dont drink water because their skin is responsible to absorbing water. Diffusion of Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration across a permeable membrane as a result of kinetic energy of random motion. It is a random movement of molecules which is directional from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until equilibrium is achieved. Molecules are in a constant state of motion. For example, if you dissolve KMnO4 in water so that the concentration is initially higher in one part of the water that another, diffusion will occur so that there is a net movement of KMnO4 from area if high concentration to an area of lower concentration. However, if the KMnO4 molecules have a complete even and random distribution through out the water, there will be no movement of KMnO4 in any direction. The rate of diffusion will be affected by properties of: The cell The diffusing molecule Surrounding solution The rate of diffusion increases as the concentration gradient increases. When the concentration of molecules outside the cells is very high, relative to the internal concentration, the rate of diffusion will also be high. If the internal concentration are the same (low concentration gradient), the rate of diffusion will be low.

Dr. Harold Glucksberg vs. The State of Washington Essay example -- Eut

Dr. Harold Glucksberg vs. The State of Washington 'Choosing death before dishonor is seen by some philosophers and ethicists as a rational reason to commit suicide.' In the 1994 case of Glucksberg v. Washington (Otherwise acknowledged as Compassion In Dying v. The State Of Washington), Harold Glucksberg, alongside the right-to-die organization Compassion In Dying, filed a suit in opposition to the state of Washington for three fatally ill patients he treated. Dr. Glucksberg and 'Compassion in Dying' set their case saying that the ban against doctor-assisted suicide was violating the right patients right of due process and placed an unjustified burden on terminally ill patients who required help to stop suffering misery from the disease that plagued their body and/or mind. While the case was in the state of Washington, it was seen in the plaintiff's favor: Dr. Harold Glucksberg and Compassion In Dying. Because of this the state laws changed in support of doctor-assisted suicide. The state of Washington still opposed the idea of this so they ordered an appeal. By 1997 the case, along with another case, (Quill v. Vacco), reached the Supreme Court. The decision in the Supreme Court did not, however, meet up to the original case. The defense won the trial. The case had a many important questions to it. In one question: is physician-assisted suicide morally, ethically, legally correct, and/or fair to anyone? Ethically Correct? ?One ought not to commit an act ...

Therapeutic Benefits of Stem Cells Essay -- Science Health Technology

Therapeutic Benefits of Stem Cells A stem cell is a cell which can differentiate into any other type of cell in the body. It can become a blood cell, a liver cell, or even a nerve cell. The only problem with stem cells is that they can only be found in the bone marrow of living humans or the gonadal tissue of developing fetuses. There are many people who believe that stem cells are the miracle cure for cancer, Parkinson’s, and many other terminal diseases, but there are large groups of people opposed to the use of stem cells because of the means by which they are attained. This debate will go on indefinitely, because there are prodigious amounts of support for both sides of the issue. The many benefits of stem cells out weigh the ethical issues behind the retrieval methods. There are many diseases that can be cured with stem cells. Lou Gehrig’s disease is a disorder in which the â€Å"nerve cells which operate muscles degrade over time† (Langreth, 2001). There is no certain cure for the disease, but â€Å"embryonic stem cells have been known to differentiate into motor neurons† (Langreth, 2001). The fact that stem cells can become motor neurons is astonishing because they can lead to a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease. The possibility of curing this disease has many positive implications. Before, anyone who developed this condition was labeled as â€Å"dead† because there was no possibility of curing the disorder. The fact that we have a chance to cure this disease through the use of stem cells gives the people who suffer from the disease a glimmer of hope that they can be cured. Another disease which can possibly be cured through the use of stem cells is X-SCID. X-SCID is an X-linked immunodeficiency that is genet ically inherited... ...5F0+ds+%5Fs%5F0+dstb+KS+fcl+Aut+hd+0+hs+0+or+Date+ri+KAAACBVB00236207+sm+KS+ss+SO+C061&cf=1&fn=1&rn=1&+KS+so+b+ss+SO+C495&cf=1&fn=311&rn=319 4. Langreth, Robert. Daring to Live. Retrieved March 25, 2003 from http://web13.epnet.com/citation.asp?tb=1&_ug=dbs+0+ln+en%2Dus+sid+EEDE302C%2DD4AF%2D4AE5%2D8E99%2D32B074FDD225%40sessionmgr3%2Dsessionmgr4+2762&_up=dba+aphdeh+st+alpha+43DB&_us=bs+ALS++AND++stem++cells+ds+ALS++AND++stem++cells+dstb+KS+hd+0+hs+0+or+Date+ri+KAAACBVB00282442+sm+KS+so+b+ss+SO+1F99&cf=1&fn=1&rn=1& 5. FDA Consumer. Temporary Halt on Gene Therapy Trials. Retrieved March 25, 2003 from http://web13.epnet.com/citation.asp?tb=1&_ug=dbs+0+ln+en%2Dus+sid+EEDE302C%2DD4AF%2D4AE5%2D8E99%2D32B074FDD225%40sessionmgr3%2Dsessionmgr4+2762&_us=bs+X%2DSCID+ds+X%2DSCID+dstb+KS+gl+%5Fs%5F8+hd+0+hs+0+or+Date+ri+KAAACBVB00282749+sm+KS+so+b+ss+SO+CBEE&cf=1&fn=1&rn=1&

Galaxy and Dense Gas Passes

Comparing a yellow star, a blue star, and a red star, we could determine Just from color that the hottest star was the 10. One. BLUE Rotation curves of spiral galaxies show that stars' orbital speeds don't drop off with distance from the galactic center as expected, and thus imply the existence of . The main sequence includes the following kinds of stars: B) Hot, blue, large, massive ones and cool, red, small, low-mass ones 12. Which of the following was not an era In the history of the universe?The phases of the moon are caused by D) The alignment of the Earth/moon/sun system making a different portion of the Spectra help us determine the composition of astronomical objects because A) Each element, compound, or ion has a different set of spectral lines. 15. Dark energy is the most important factor in the of the universe. A) Accelerating 16. Universe scenario for the fate The outer planets are more massive than the inner planets because C) Both of the above 17. The three basic types of galaxies are B) Spiral, elliptical, and irregular. 8. A planet orbiting a star feels a force due to the star's gravity that C) Increases with the star's mass and decreases with the square of the distance. 19. Massive main sequence stars A) Have hot cores, use their hydrogen rapidly, and go supernova after a short life. 0. Hubbub's law gives us an indirect way to measure a galaxy's D) Distance. 21. We can determine an object's temperature from its thermal (or â€Å"blackbody') spectrum by finding the wavelength at which it emits the most electromagnetic radiation.Galileo findings from his telescopic observations were revolutionary because he showed that the heavens were not perfect. B) FALSE 28. If the sun had begun fusion later, so it did not clear the solar nebula of its remaining gas so soon, Uranus and Neptune might have become as large as Jupiter and Saturn are now. A) TRUE 29. If the sun somehow instantaneously became a 1 solar mass black hole, the Earth According to Hubbub 's law, the reediest of a distant galaxy is directly related to its temperature. B) False

Major differences between the two theories Essay

The obviously notable difference between Bandura’s social cognitive theory and Beck’s cognitive theory is the bias that each has towards behavior. For instance, Bandura’s model is more behavioral, whereas Beck’s model is inclined towards psychotherapy or seems to provide psychological solutions to problems. The social cognitive theory (by Bandura) is presented in an agentic perspective. It explains why people exhibit differences in self-organization, being proactive, participation in self-reflection, and in self-regulation (Bandura, 1986). In essence, the theory does not just show that human beings have different capabilities, it also shows that other factors such as the environment play a major role in shaping behaviorism (Bandura, 1986). The theory further describes human beings as producers as well as products of what they make (the proverb manners maketh man should be true). Bandura’s theory also gives the socio cognitive aspects of human beings, for example, why they act in particular manners and what elicits such behavior. Additionally, the theory also gives reasons why the human nature is vast in terms of capabilities and how humanity is fashioned by direct and observational experience that is integrated in a variety of forms. In contradistinction, Beck’s theory gives a picture of the phenomena underlying dysfunctional beliefs (Beck, 1976). This theory does not just describe personality, but provides solutions to psychological problems. This is achieved by the model’s blow-by-blow analysis of the casual agents of depression and how depression can be remedied (Beck, 1976). Beck’s theory seems to give mediation approach in solving psychological problems by encouraging patients to be participants of the problem solving process rather than passive and helpless respondents. Another difference between the two theories is the triad used in each of the theories, which forms the basis of the entire illustrations and discussions. Bandura’s model is a triad with behavior, environmental factors and personal determinants as the main elements. On the other hand, Beck’s cognitive model consists of behavior, antecedent events and consequences (Beck, 1976; Beck, 1998). The triads may seem to portray a similarity between the two models but in real sense they exhibit differences since the explanation of how the elements in the triads affect each other or act on their own is slightly different. For instance, in Bandura’s theory, the description of how the factors in the triad affect each other revolves around cause and effect. One of the factors, such as the environment is implied to be a cause (or a factor that determines) of behavior. Thus, there is emphasis on reciprocal determinism. On the other hand, Beck’s triadic illustration of the factors that shape personality and character is influenced by the person (self), the world and the future. In this context, it is evident that personality is affected not just by behavior but also by other events that occur in life. In fact, Beck (1976) describes the person (self) as the main source of ideas to solve depression problems with reference to the world and anticipation of a better future. Conclusion Bandura’s Cognitive Theory and Beck’s Cognitive Theory seem to have more similarities in that they describe personality and the factors shape it. Many elements described in each theory’s triad show convergence in meaning. Major differences between the two models lie in the description of the models. While Bandura’s model is inclined towards behaviorism, Beck’s model provides an explanation of psychological dysfunctions and possible remedies. References Bandura A. (2006). Psychological modeling: Conflicting theories. Chicago: Aldine Transaction. Bandura, A. (1997). Self-Efficacy: The exercise of control. New York: W. H. Freeman Company Bandura, A. (1986).Social foundations of thoughts and action: A social cognitive theory. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Professional Technical. Bandura, A. (1976) Social learning theory. New York: Prentice Hall Bandura, A. (1971). Psychological modeling: Conflicting theories. Chicago: Aldine- Atherton. Beck, A. (1979). Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford Press Beck, A. (1976). Cognitive therapy & emotional disorders. NY: International Universities Press. Beck, A. (1998). The Integrative Power of Cognitive Therapy. New York: Guilford Press.

Reading Schedule

Week 1 Tuesday 01/15 Introduction/Syllabus/ â€Å"Where I’m From† poem Thursday 01/17 Read â€Å"Brainology† by Carol Dweck Week 2 Tuesday 01/22 Read â€Å"Ain’t I a Woman† and â€Å"The Men We Carry In Our Minds† Thursday 01/24 Active Reading and Analysis Standards (posted on Blackboard under writing and reading tools) Week 3 Tuesday 01/29 Read â€Å"Narration† in Patterns; Read I Love Yous Are for White People Ch. 1-3 Thursday 01/31 Read I Love Yous Are for White People Ch. 4-5 Week 4 Tuesday 02/5 Read I Love Yous Are for White People Ch. 6-7 Thursday 02/7 Read I Love Yous Are for White People Ch. 8Week 5 Tuesday 02/12 Read I Love Yous Are for White People Ch. 9-11 Thursday 02/14 Read I Love Yous Are for White People Ch. 12 Week 6 Tuesday 02/19 Read I Love Yous Are for White People Ch. 13-14; Read I Love Yous Are for White People Epilogue, â€Å"About the book† and â€Å"Read on† Thursday 02/21 Read â€Å"Descriptionâ €  in Patterns page 143-148; Read â€Å"Exemplification† in Patterns page 199-201; Read â€Å"Process† in Patterns page 199-201 Week 7 Tuesday 02/26 Read â€Å"Cause and Effect† † in Patterns page 321-326; Read The Kite Runner pages 1-47 Thursday 02/28 Read The Kite Runner pages 48-58 Week 8Tuesday 03/05 Read â€Å"Comparison and Contrast† in Patterns page 383-384; Read The Kite Runner pages 59-100 Thursday 03/07 The Kite Runner pages 101-124 Week 9 Tuesday 03/12 Read Classification and Division in Patterns pages 447-448 The Kite Runner pages 125-189 Thursday 03/14 The Kite Runner pages 190-223 Week 10 Tuesday 03/19 Read â€Å"Definition† in Patterns page 505-506; The Kite Runner pages 224-272 Thursday 03/21 The Kite Runner pages 273-292 Week 11 SPRING BREAK Tuesday 03/26 No Class Thursday 03/28 No Class Week 12 Tuesday 04/02 The Kite Runner pages 293-371 Thursday 04/04 Read â€Å"Argumentation† in Patterns page 547-548 Week 13Tuesd ay 04/09 Read â€Å"Combining The Patterns† in Patterns page 705-706 Thursday 04/11 Read Scholarly Source Week 14 Tuesday 04/16 Read â€Å"Using Research in Your Writing† page 757-766 Thursday 04/18 Read â€Å"Using Research in Your Writing† page 766-782 Week 15 Tuesday 04/23 Read Scholarly Source Thursday 04/25 Read Scholarly Source Week 16 Tuesday 04/30 Read Scholarly Source Thursday 05/02 Read Scholarly Source Week 17 Tuesday 05/07 Read Scholarly Source Thursday05/09 Read Scholarly Source Week 18 Tuesday 05/14 Read Scholarly Source Thursday 05/16 Read Scholarly Source Week 19 Finals Week Tuesday 05/21 Final Exam

How Effective Is the Media in Creating Dissatisfaction in the Body?

How effective is the media in creating dissatisfaction in the body image of teenage girls? 1. Introductory Paragraph – Attention Grabber: 75% of teenage girls have a celebrity they look up to for a body image they would like to have according to the National Institute on Media and the Family. – Definition of Body Image: Body image refers to one’s sense of his or her own physical appearance influenced by his/her personal experiences, personality and various social and cultural forces. Thesis Statement: The trouble these days is that the media is constantly and greatly impacting the teenage girls of today’s generation who are aged 13 to 19 years of age to having a negative and distorted body image which leads to psycho-physical problems which cause teenagers to go to extremes in order to achieve what they perceive as the ‘perfect’ body. – Question: Do you feel ashamed, self-conscious and anxious about your body? If you do not, you have a negative body image and this essay is meant for you. 2. Supporting Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence: Teenage girls have an increasing desire to be either ultra-thin or to have more sex appeal under the influence of the media which cause a negative body image. – In the magazine, you can see what is considered as the ‘perfect’ woman and what is not the most ‘in’ thing. Teenagers shape how they see themselves based on what they see on television, magazines, newspapers and websites. – Media images depicting ultra-thin and digitally altered women models are the reason for body dissatisfaction in girls.What they see mostly in these advertisements are tall, skinny, flawless, and beautiful women selling fashionable products. – Fashion marketers use provocative marketing campaigns featuring young teenage models such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Guess. These ads are selling more than just clothing to teens. They are also selling adult sexuality. Moreover , the media’s trending definition of beauty as portrayed in celebrities and models would be having a curvaceous bodyline, and large breasts which supposedly increase the sexuality of a woman. Thus, they would eventually feel that they have to look like these perfect flawless women in order to be considered beautiful, though this ‘perfect’ appearance is one that few people can ever attain. Teenage girls are influenced and under constant pressure to be thin, beautiful and highly sexualized and this brings me to my next point on the severe impact of stimulating marketing campaigns. 3. Supporting Paragraph 2 – Topic Sentence: Teenage girls are both mentally and physically affected by pursuing such perfect body images as ensued by the media. Pretty pictures we see in magazines are often not what we would see in real life. However, teenagers aspire and go to extremes to get the ‘look’. Therefore, the media is responsible for creating ideals about bo dy image and the influenced teenagers suffer from inferiority complex and resort to unhealthy practices in order to achieve their perception of the ‘perfect’ body. – Firstly, the ultimate effect of the media on teenagers would be depression, and a loss of self-esteem. A study in 1995 found that spending 3 minutes looking at models in a fashion magazine caused 70% of the women to feel depressed, guilty and ashamed.Also, it has caused the development of unhealthy eating habits as the media often brings about the message that physical perfection is what we should all strive for if we want to be successful. – Being strongly influenced by the media, teenagers who are striving for the ‘perfect’ body and to achieve a strong sense of ‘achievement’ by reducing their weight will eventually start eating disorders. Teenage girls therefore follow blindly to achieve the ‘perfect’ image and suffer from psychological problems such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. refer to page 2 and 3 – preteens) – These psychological problems then lead to physical problems (refer to page 2 – teens) 4. Supporting Paragraph 3 – Topic Sentence: Not only do teenage girls suffer from psycho-physical problems, but they also go to extreme means and take drastic measures such as plastic surgery in order to achieve the perfect body crafted by the media which in turn, creates more health problems for girls. – A study done by BBC stated that three-quarters of girls who have had plastic surgery think it has improved their lives and 71% would do it again.During 2010, there were over 93000 people who had the plastic surgery in USA (if they cannot achieve the perfect body naturally, they would rather do so artificially. ) – Many girls want to undergo plastic surgery as they are obsessed with creating the ‘perfect’ body. Thus, they are open about having normalized surgery.  œ A dying young woman, Lisa Connell spent $40,000 on plastic surgery as she strongly desired to die looking like movie star Demi Moore. She was convinced that surgery would make her look as beautiful as Demi Moore who endorses cosmetic surgery herself. . Concluding Paragraph – After considering the points above, one has to agree that the media has negatively impacted teenage girls both mentally and physically and has caused the desire to have the ‘perfect’ body to take control of their lives. One thing is certain. The media are to be blamed for the 80% of girls who responded to More! Magazine that images of women on television and in the movies makes them feel insecure. The term ‘beauty’ holds different meanings and understandings to every individual teenage girl.The media has a large influence of what society believes is beautiful and what is not and made teenage girls feel insecure and fear that they are not good enough. However, the numerous probl ems and damaging impacts of such a negative body image are devastating and one must be sure that aspiring for such beauty is not the way to go about life. Inner strength is the key towards a happy and successful life and not beauty. We were all crafted and made by God and there is no need to bother about who you are or what you look like. The important thing is to love yourself and that is all that matters.