Stem Cell Therapy
Stem Cell Therapy Stem cells are those cells in our multi-cellular organisms which have retained their power to divide into different specialized cell types, therefore it is unspecialized. Having this unique property, the new and healthy cells made from stem cells can be used to replace damaged cells in adult organisms. Stem cells are very important to living organisms, as it is the stem cells in the blastocyst which develop different specialized cells that build up our heart, muscles, lungs, skin and other tissues. Stem cells are also present in the blood in the umbilical cord and in some adult tissues, like the bone marrow, muscle and brain. Even though there are no mainstream embryonic stem cell (stem cells from blastocyst) therapies today, there are therapies which use adult stem cells. The best known of all these therapies is the bone marrow transplant, which is used to treat patients with blood or immune system disorders such as leukaemia. Leukaemia is when leukocytes start to grow abnormally, becoming cancer. As bone marrow is the place where new blood cells are made, the marrow contains hematopoietic stem cells. This type of stem cell is responsible for creating all kinds of blood cells. Therefore, a bone marrow transplant can replace the damaged stem cells and white blood cells (leukocytes) after chemotherapy and radiation has killed all the abnormal stem cells
Method's of Drug Characterisation
Experiment 6 - Methods of Drug Characterization Aims . To gain experience of the analytical methods used for drug characterization Objectives . To gain experience in melting point determination, thin layer chromatography and UV spectroscopy 2. Application of the methods to identify an unknown substance Introduction The 2 most basic analytical techniques for identification of organic compounds are melting point determination and thin layer chromatography. Identification of compounds relied upon melting point determination before the modern analytical techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and UV spectroscopy. Although thin layer chromatography still plays an important role in organic analysis. A solution of the unknown is spotted onto the silica coated plate about 1cm from the bottom and dried; it is then placed vertically into a tank with a suitable solvent inside. The solvent moves up the plate by capillary action and resolves the sample into discrete spots. The plate is removed and dried and the spots are viewed under UV or by treating it chemically with developing agent. For each component of the sample an Rf value can be calculated: Rf = distance moved by solute/distance moved by solvent Safety * Local rules apply * The sealing of melting point tubes by Bunsen must be done away from flammable solvents * After practical all waste solvents
OCR G544 - Using examples of research that you have studied, discuss the strengths and limitations of using the nurture debate to explain human behaviour (12 marks)
Nature vs. Nurture Q1) Using examples of research that you have studied, discuss the strengths and limitations of using the nurture debate to explain human behaviour. (12) The nurture debate in psychology aligns itself with explaining all human behaviour as a product of the environment that an individual lives in. It suggests that the people we interact with, the homes we grow up in and even the school experiences we have as we grow up are all influential on our behaviour later in life. In the longitudinal study by Farrington, et al. into delinquent development of boys in East London, he found that there are environmental factors that directly influence why young offenders become adult criminals. Negative school experiences, weak family bonds and growing up in an impoverished area where life prosperity is low were all contributing risk factors, but even so, this study does not attribute any behaviour to the nature side of the debate and therefore ignores important genetic factors that may also predetermine behaviour from birth (such as explored in a study by Raine where he observed brain dysfunction as a reason the crimes committed by serial murderers). Another weakness of the nurture debate is shown in Meichenbaum’s study, whereby a comparison group of students suffering exam anxiety enrolled on a course of systematic desensitisation – a behavioural method of treating
Discuss issues with biological therapies
Discuss issues with biological therapies Biological therapies arise from the medical model of abnormal behaviour: mental disorder is an illness which results mainly from a chemical imbalance. Biological treatments are designed to redress this imbalance, through the administration of chemical drugs known as chemotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and, in rare cases, psychosurgery. As well as mental disorders, the biological approach also gives an explanation and treatment for stress and the role of stress management. This approach also shows the link between stress and the immune system. Anorexia and bulimia nervosa are also explained by the medical model. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to treat mental disorders. For example anti-anxiety drugs consist of a class of drugs called benzodiazepines and minor tranquilliser designed to reduce levels of anxiety. These include Librium and Valium which were introduced in 1950s, and soon became the most prescribed drug in the world. However, the side-effects include drowsiness, dependence, withdrawal and toxicity However, benzodiazepines have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and panic. Gelernter and found them to be more effective than a placebo for social phobia and Lecrubier found that 60% of patients with panic disorder remained free of panic while on medication. Antidepressant drugs are
Discuss two or more biological therapies for schizophrenia
Discuss two or more biological therapies for schizophrenia (9 + 16) Biological therapies for schizophrenia come in two forms: antipsychotic medication, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Considering the eclectic nature of schizophrenia as a disorder, the debate over appropriate and effective treatment is heated, and many psychologists are still unclear over which is the ideal method for tackling the disorder. Antipsychotic medications are commonly divided into two categories: conventional and atypical. Conventional antipsychotics bind to dopamine receptors but do not stimulate them, blocking the way for displaced dopamine to cause a chemical imbalance in a schizophrenic's biology. By reducing the effects of dopamine, positive symptoms such as hallucinations can be reduced, in line with the view of the dopamine hypothesis. Whilst atypical antipsychotics also act on the dopamine system, it is debated whether the drugs' ability to reduce negative symptoms such as avolition stems from a varying way of dealing with the dopamine system, or, alternatively, the additional effect of blocking serotonin. Kapur and Remington suggested in 2001 that whilst conventional antipsychotics block dopamine receptors long-term, atypical medication does so temporarily, before dissociating to allow normal transmission of the chemical. The differing ways in which the drugs work is central to the
The Human Genome Project
Amira Nicola January, 2001 The Human Genome Project The Human Genome project is a scientific research effort to analyse the DNA of human beings and that of several other types of organism. The project began in the United States in 1990 under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. It was scheduled to be completed in 15 years. The project's goal is to identify the location of every human gene and to determine each gene's precise chemical structure in order to understand its function in health and disease. In the nucleus of every cell in the human body, there are 23 pairs of chromosomes, each of which is composed of several genes. Genes are discrete stretches of nucleotides that carry the information the cell uses to make proteins. The most important component of a chromosome is the single continuous molecule of DNA. This double-stranded molecule, which is shaped as a double helix, is composed of linked chemical compounds known as nucleotides. Each nucleotide consists of three parts: a sugar known as deoxyribose, a phosphate compound, and any one of four bases-adenine, thymine, guanine, or cytosine. These parts are linked together so that the sugar and the phosphate form the two parallel sides of the DNA ladder. This double-helical structure of the DNA molecule was discovered Watson and Crick in 1953, for
Outline and evaluate two or more therapies used in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Treating Schizophrenia 'Therapies can be time-consuming and, in some cases, uncomfortable for the client. It is, therefore, very important to offer the most appropriate and effective type of treatment.' Outline and evaluate two or more therapies used in the treatment of schizophrenia. Different people choose different therapies for schizophrenia because the difference in treatments is so vast with different levels of intensity and effectiveness. Treatments are usually selected by which the patient feels most comfortable with. There are two main types of therapies, Biological and Psychological. Antipsychotic medication is a biological therapy. These are drugs that are effective in treating the most disturbing forms of psychotic illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Antipsychotic medication helps the person with the disorder function as well as possible in their life. Conventional antipsychotics (for example chlorpromazine) are used primarily to combat the positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations. The basic mechanism of conventional antipsychotics is to reduce the effects of dopamine and so reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia, hence their alter ego, dopamine antagonists. They bind to dopamine receptors but do not stimulate them, thus blocking their action. By reducing stimulation of the dopamine system in the brain, antipsychotics can
Explain two specific behaviors using psychological perspectives
P4 - Explain two specific behaviors using psychological perspectives P5 - Use examples to explain the contribution of psychological perspectives to the management and treatment of two specific behaviors M3 - Analyze the role of psychological perspectives in understanding the two specific behaviors Introduction In this assignment I will be explaining two specific behaviors using psychological perspectives. In this part I will be talking about phobias and fears, and OCD. Every behavior of an individual has an explanation with psychological perspectives which makes us understand the behavior in more depth and why the individual is behaving accordingly. There are quite a few psychological perspectives that I have learnt about throughout my lessons. These are behaviorist, social learning theory, psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive, developmental and biological. All of these perspectives explain a certain behavior in a unique way to others, however some can be explained together and others on their own. Phobia and fears This is my first specific behavior which I will explain by giving three psychological perspectives. Phobia is an excessive fear or unreasonable irrational fear. However a fear is an unpleasant reaction when face-to-face with real danger. It could be towards someone, object, place, situation etc. there are many types of phobias which are towards all sorts
Should Cannabis be legalised in the UK?
Should Cannabis be legalised in the UK? Most people have their own opinion on whether or not Cannabis should be legalised but the reasons behind these opinions are not always correct and justifiable. Cannabis is now a class C drug after it was dropped from being a class B in 2004. It is illegal to have, give away or deal in Class C drugs, and to grow cannabis plants. The maximum penalties for being in possession is 2 years in jail plus an unlimited fine, for supplying or dealing cannabis you can get 14 years in jail plus an unlimited fine and if you are caught in possession with intent to supply cannabis you could get up to 14 years in jail plus an unlimited fine. Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK, with up to 3 million consumers per year. It is most commonly smoked, usually by mixing it with tobacco and rolling it up with cigarette papers into a cannabis cigarette (called a 'spliff', 'joint', 'jay' etc.). However, it can also be smoked with or without tobacco in various forms of pipes or smoking devices such as 'bongs' or 'water pipes'. Smoking Cannabis produces fairly instant intoxication, the effects lasting from 1 to 3 hours depending on the strength of the drug and the amount used. Cannabis can also be taken orally, either eaten direct or mixed with food preparations, such as cakes, biscuits (hence 'hash cookies') or hot drinks. Taking Cannabis
should cannabis be legal, YES & NO
Should Cannabis be Legalised? Yes... No... Legal Cannabis would promote responsible use and safe supply and would stop many people's futures being needlessly destroyed Legalisation would encourage use of cannabis and other drugs, creating more problems and increasing the profits of drug barons. * There are at least 21/2 million (perhaps 7 million) cannabis users in the UK. * More police are needed, with greater powers to stop this widespread flaunting of the law. * People convicted of drug offences have their future prospects massively hampered. * People who choose to break the law must accept that they will be severely punished for doing so. * Cannabis is often contaminated with inert or toxic components which cause more harm than the cannabis. A legal supply would be pure and therefore safer. * Pure cannabis still has dangers. * Prohibition alienates a huge number of youths. * Most parents disapprove of all drug use - legal or not. * Legalising does not mean glamorising - cannabis use should still be discouraged even if it were legal. * Legalisation could make cannabis socially acceptable, and so encourage use. * Countries which have experimented with decriminalisation have not encountered massive increases in use. * Legalisation could encourage use of cannabis, which in turn could encourage the use of more dangerous drugs such as ecstasy. * Minors can
