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The human body is an amazing, it is able to do so much and process such a lot of information. Our bodies enable us to feel, smell, taste, see and hear the world around us. We can endure different climates and experience many adventures. While doing all of these actions our body is able to maintain a steady heart beat, breathe without conscious thought and maintain a constant body temperature. The human body is the ultimate multitasker! Have you ever wondered which part of our body keeps our temperature constant? Read this article to find out!
Antibodies are specialized proteins that are produced by the body to bind to foreign substances that infect the body. They indentify and neutralize antigens such as bacteria and viruses, protecting the body against disease. They are large, Y-shaped proteins that can tag bacteria or viruses for attack by other antibodies. Without antibodies we would be constantly sick as our body would have no way of fighting of infectious antigens. How are these important proteins produced? Read on to find out.
A virus is a microscopic life form that requires a host organism to live and reproduce. They are infectious and often cause unpleasant and long lasting symptoms. There are over 5,000 viruses described in detail and millions of different types in the world today. These infect not only humans, but other animals, plants and bacteria. They come in many different shapes and can appear as a simple ball shaped organism to a complex spider like organism.
Vitamin K is a group of fat soluble vitamins that was discovered in 1929 by a Danish scientist called Henrik Dam. There are two natural forms of this vitamin called Vitamin K1 and K2. Vitamin K1 is found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, broccoli and some fruits. K2 is found in eggs, meat and dairy foods. Even at very high doses the natural forms of this vitamin are non-toxic , but they can interfere with blood thinning medications. You might be wondering what this important vitamin does? Read on to find out.
The nervous system is a complex network of nerves, impulse pathways, the spinal cord and brain. It is the system in the human body that is responsible for sending, receiving and interpreting stimulation from the surrounding world. It is made up of three main sections, the central nervous system which is comprised of the spinal cord and the brain, the peripheral nervous system which is made up of the nerves and impulse pathways and the autonomic nervous system which is made up of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
Antibiotics are a type of medicine that has antibacterial properties. The word antibiotic comes from the Greek words anti, meaning against, and bios meaning life. They are used to cure bacterial infections in humans. Bacteria are tiny organisms that cause illness or infection when they gain access to the human body. Antibiotics are used to help the body fight the illness or infection before it overruns the body.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that produces a set of mental and physical symptoms. It is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. In a person with Down syndrome there are three copies of the chromosome 21, one from the father, one from the mother and a third copy. The extra copy of this chromosome changes the development of the brain and body. Down syndrome affects about 1 in every 800 babies. Many people with Down syndrome experience medical problems and learning difficulties and require extensive help to live productive lives.
Lead is a heavy metal that is found in small concentration in the earth’s crust. When first mined, lead is a metallic bluish-white color, but becomes a dull grey when exposed to air. Lead is used for many things such as lead-acid batteries, weights, bullets, as part of certain metal alloys and in radiation shields. It is also used in building construction. Lead was formally used in paint, lead pencils, in cosmetics, plumbing, leaded fuels and pesticides, all which has been prohibited in many countries due to the serious health risks of lead poisoning.
We are always being told that having a balanced diet is one of the keys to healthy living. Part of having a balanced diet is to have the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and fats. It is particularly important that we consume the right amounts of protein as protein is vital for many bodily functions. Protein can be found in foods such as meats such as chicken, beef, lamb and fish, nuts, legumes, dairy products, soy products and wheat.
The large intestine is that last part of your digestive system before the waste material ends up in your bowels. They are approximately 1.5 meters (5 ft) long and consist of four parts, the caecum, the appendix, the colon and the rectum. The large intestine in found in your abdominal cavity. Despite the fact that it is shorter than the small intestine it is called the large intestine because of its width. The large intestine is primarily made up of smooth muscle.