How are we using TECHNOLOGY AND OUR knowledge of CELLS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCE
What is MEdical technology and what are some different types?
Medical technology is exactly what is sounds like. It's a branch of technology that focuses mainly on medical science. There are many different devices that fall under this category. For example a microscope, which is used to help the human eye see microscopic things such as a cell; fluorescent tagging, which allows us to see specific proteins, antibodies or amino acid in the human body; CRISPR, a tool we can use to edit DNA.
microscope
What is it? A microscope is a small instrument that enlarges small objects such as minerals or cells. The first compound microscope was created around 1590.
How does it work? It works by using lenses made of glass to refract light which enlarges the object. A normal microscope can allow humans to see objects smaller than 1 micrometre. There are also other types of microscopes called electron microscopes which can see objects more than 1000 times smaller than that.
How does our knowledge of cells allow the use of this technology? This technology gives us the ability to look at cells and gain knowledge about how cells are structured and what the different parts are of a plant or animal cell. For example, you can find out whether or not someone has sickle cell anemia by putting their blood under a microscope and seeing if the red blood cells are shaped like sickles.
How does it work? It works by using lenses made of glass to refract light which enlarges the object. A normal microscope can allow humans to see objects smaller than 1 micrometre. There are also other types of microscopes called electron microscopes which can see objects more than 1000 times smaller than that.
How does our knowledge of cells allow the use of this technology? This technology gives us the ability to look at cells and gain knowledge about how cells are structured and what the different parts are of a plant or animal cell. For example, you can find out whether or not someone has sickle cell anemia by putting their blood under a microscope and seeing if the red blood cells are shaped like sickles.
fluorescent tagging
What is it? Fluorescent tagging is the process of creating glowing proteins for humans to learn about.
How does it work? It works by inserting chemicals into the human body which allows certain cells to create glowing proteins. There are many ways in which we can see these proteins; one way is by using fluorescent microscopes.
How does our knowledge of cells allow the use of this technology? If we did not have our knowledge of cells, this technology would not work. We would be unable to target specific cells and make those cells glow. This knowledge also advances medical imaging and gives us even more knowledge of cells. We can gain this new knowledge of cells with fluorescent tagging because we are able to watch the proteins in action.
How does it work? It works by inserting chemicals into the human body which allows certain cells to create glowing proteins. There are many ways in which we can see these proteins; one way is by using fluorescent microscopes.
How does our knowledge of cells allow the use of this technology? If we did not have our knowledge of cells, this technology would not work. We would be unable to target specific cells and make those cells glow. This knowledge also advances medical imaging and gives us even more knowledge of cells. We can gain this new knowledge of cells with fluorescent tagging because we are able to watch the proteins in action.
CRISPR
What is it? CRISPR - Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats - is a bacterial defence system which is used for editing DNA and specific parts of the genetic code.
How does it work? CRISPR works by finding a target DNA, and then an enzyme is produced by CRISPR which binds to the DNA and cuts it, shutting the target gene off. CRISPR-cas9, which is a type of CRISPR, can be used to modify humans genetic patterns and correct anything wrong which can help treat genetic diseases.
How does our knowledge of cells allow the use of this technology? Our bodies have a history within our DNA of defending against foreign viruses so when we are exposed to the virus again, our bodies already knows the its' weaknesses. We use the CRISPR technology to map our DNA history so scientists can figure out how to treat other genetic diseases. Scientists can cut out the identified bad gene or they can add a gene to an existing DNA strand.
How does it work? CRISPR works by finding a target DNA, and then an enzyme is produced by CRISPR which binds to the DNA and cuts it, shutting the target gene off. CRISPR-cas9, which is a type of CRISPR, can be used to modify humans genetic patterns and correct anything wrong which can help treat genetic diseases.
How does our knowledge of cells allow the use of this technology? Our bodies have a history within our DNA of defending against foreign viruses so when we are exposed to the virus again, our bodies already knows the its' weaknesses. We use the CRISPR technology to map our DNA history so scientists can figure out how to treat other genetic diseases. Scientists can cut out the identified bad gene or they can add a gene to an existing DNA strand.
Vocabulary you may not knowDNA: DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule that contains the genetic code of an organism.
Gene: Is a unit of DNA that usually controls the development of one or more traits of genetic information that is passed from parent to offspring. Gene Mutation: When a gene has a permanent change to the DNA. Micrometre: A 1000th of a millimetre. What a millimetre is to a metre and micrometre is to a millimetre. Fluorescent: Is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other radiation |