Endocrine System Project - Thyroid (Podcast)

Karina Martin

Mr. Quick

A Block - 2/24/14

Hello, today I am going to talk about the endocrine system. More specifically, I am going to talk about the T3 and T4 hormones located in the thyroid gland. TSH, otherwise known as thyroid-stimulating hormone, is released from the pituitary, an endocrine gland that sits just beneath the base of the brain. From the pituitary, TSH goes into the bloodstream and travels to the thyroid gland. Here, TSH causes cells within the thyroid to produce more T3 and T4 hormones.

This whole process of producing T3 and T4 hormones starts in the portal capillaries where thyrotropin-releasing hormone or TRH is secreted and then sent to the anterior pituitary, the endocrine gland I mentioned before located beneath the brain. There, TRH stimulates thyrotropes (hormones produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary) to synthesize and release TSH. You already know what happens next. The TSH makes its way to the thyroid gland and then (TADA!) we have T3 and T4 hormones.

T3 and T4 hormones have a negative feedback loop that regulates the secretion of TSH. If TSH is not secreted, thyroid function becomes depressed and the thyroid gland wastes away. Control of TSH stimulates the thyroid gland and increases circulating levels of thyroid hormones. In other words, no TSH equals no thyroid gland which equals short life which equals BAD! You see, the thyroid plays a very important role in a human’s metabolism. Hormones T3 and T4 have an effect on every cell in the body. They control the rate in which the cells in your body use energy and oxygen. Because thyroid hormones play such an important role in the function of the brain, a deficiency of thyroid hormone can cause depression, memory problems, and even psychosis. Thyroid hormones are also important when it comes to human growth and development; therefore, hormone deficiency can also cause severe mental retardation and serious growth delays.

Now, remember when I talked about TSH? Well, when in the process of making its way from the pituitary to the thyroid gland, TSH is given  instructions by a gene receptor called TSHR. This receptor extends itself throughout the membrane of follicular cells in the thyroid gland. It serves as a customized binding site for the TSH hormone. TSH attaches itself to the extracellular portion of the receptor, activating a series of reactions that control the development of the thyroid gland and its functions.

Thyroid hormones are poorly soluble in water. They are lipid soluble, however, and diffuse into the cell, where they, as I mentioned before, attach themselves to receptors, migrate to the nucleus, and activate specific target sequences of DNA. On the other hand, water soluble hormones use their effects through an intracellular second messenger that is activated when a hormone attaches itself to a membrane receptor.

The thyroid gland is an important part of your body. As I mentioned before, it is very difficult to survive without one. Some people don’t have thyroid glands however. And if you are, don’t freak out! While the hormones a thyroid produce are essential to life, people can live without a thyroid gland as long as the hormones are replaced. A thyroid hormone can be replaced with a synthetic one. Interesting, right? Well, that’s all I have to say about thyroid hormones. Thanks for listening!

Here is the link to my podcast: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwtzLZZCgHBqekludWlzWndFYTQ/edit?usp=sharing

Works Cited

• http://voices.yahoo.com/can-live-without-thyroid-gland-6993008.html?cat=5
• http://classes.midlandstech.edu/carterp/Courses/bio211/chap16/chap16.htm
• http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/TSHR
• http://mcb.berkeley.edu/courses/mcb135e/thyroid.html

WHY PINEAPPLE NO LIKE JELLO?

Karina Martin

Mr. Quick

A Block

2/16/14

                             The Effects of Enzyme Bromelain on Collagen (protein) Bonds

ABSTRACT:

    The objective of this lab was to observe how fresh pineapple and canned pineapple react when mixed with jello. In other words, my partner and I wanted to see the effects of pineapple enzymes on jello. We designed an experiment where we made three plates of jello, two of which contained either fresh pineapple or canned pineapple. After leaving the three plates of jello alone for a couple of days, we observed that the jello containing fresh pineapple was still in a liquid state. The jello containing canned pineapple, however, became set (jello state), as did the jello mix containing nothing extra (obviously). 

INTRODUCTION:

   Jello packets usually has a note or warning saying not to add fresh or frozen fruit because the gelatin will not set. This is because many fruits, including pineapple, contain a chemical called bromelain, which can affect the hardening or setting of the jello. Bromelain contains two enzymes that have the capability of breaking down proteins called proteases. Many gelatin, like jello, get their shape/structure from links formed between chains of collagen. Bromelain cuts these chains of collagen and keeps the gelatin from jelling properly (becoming set). Fresh pineapple does this as a defense mechanism. Canned pineapple, on the other hand, is heated during the canning process. This means that the enzymes in bromelain in the pineapple are inactivated once they have been heated to about 158° F (70° Celsius).  Therefore, the jello mixed with canned pineapple (or any other canned fruit) will become set. 

HYPOTHESIS: 

    If we fill three plates with jello mix, with fresh pineapple in one and canned pineapple in another, then the only jello not to become set/gel will be the one containing fresh pineapple due to the fact that fresh pineapple has not been heated while canned pineapple has. 

MATERIALS:

• 26 grams of fresh and canned pineapple chunks
• 6.6 grams of jello powder 
• 3 plates (petri dishes)
• a beaker
• 39.4 grams of hot water 
• 39.4 grams of cold water
• tape and marker (for labels)

PROCEDURE:

1. Pour 6.6 grams of jello powder into a beaker
2. Add 39.4 ml of hot water to jello powder
3. Stir the water and powder until dissolved 
4. Add 39.4 ml of cold water to jello mix
5. Stir the jello again
6. Pour jello mix into beaker
7. Pour equal amount of jello mix from beaker into 3 plates
8. Add 26 grams of fresh pineapple chunks into one plate
9. Add 26 grams of canned pineapple chunks into another plate
10. Leave one plate with only jello
11. Wait for results and check next class.

RESULTS:

PLATES	SET	LIQUID
JELLO w/ FRESH PINEAPPLE	NO	YES
JELLO w/ CANNED PINEAPPLE	YES	NO
JELLO (alone)	YES	NO

CONCLUSION:

    In conclusion, the jello containing fresh pineapple did not become set, while the jello containing canned pineapple did, proving our hypothesis. Therefore, when pineapple still containing bromelain mixes with jello (which contains collagen), the jello will not set properly due to the breaking of collagen bonds. However, when heated pineapple mixes with jello, the jello does set properly due to the reformation of the collagen bonds' shapes and active site. The bromelain is inactivated and the jello can become set. Throughout this experiment, my partner and I kept the plate with only jello constant. Measuring the fruit, water, or jello incorrectly are possible errors that could have occurred along the way.  My partner and I also could have done more trials to get more accurate results. We also could have tested other fruits or had the plates of jello and fruit in different temperatures and/or environments. 

CITATIONS:

"Pineapple and Jell-O." About.com Chemistry. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.

"UCSB Science Line Sqtest." UCSB Science Line Sqtest. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.

"Why Can't You Put Pineapple Chunks in Jello?" General Chemistry Online: FAQ: Chemistry of 

      Everyday Life:. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.   

Forensics Quiz

The man found supine on Thompson Creak Trail with a bullet wound died from internal bleeding. Because the bullet traveled at a 45 degree downward angle in the frontal plane, the bullet had to have ricocheted off the now fractured 8th rib on the right side, exiting 5 cm above the belly button in the umbilical region. The bullet punctured the stomach and/or the liver, causing the internal bleeding. By puncturing the liver, much blood would have been lost due to the fact that the liver holds the hepatic portal vein which collects all of the blood that comes from the spleen, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, and intestines. 

-The bullet could have traveled straight through the body from the entrance wound to the exit wound. However, we can rule this out because of the cracked rib and the fact that the bullet traveled with a 45 degree downward angle.

-We can also rule out the possibility of the man having been beaten, resulting in the cracked rib, because there was no bruising found on the body.

-The possibility of suicide can also be ruled out because there is no way that the man would have been able to to angle his arm in a 45 degree downward position. Plus, why would a man committing suicide choose to shoot himself in the left lateral are 1 inch above the third rib?

Anthony Atala: Growing New Organs

Anthony Atala's mention some very interesting things in his TED Talk. For instance, every 30 seconds, a patient dies from diseases that could be treated with tissue replacement. Stem cells can work, like what we've been talking about in class. But research and studies on how to use stem cells hasn't exactly been fully explored yet, in terms of actual therapies for organs, as Atala mentioned in his talk.

I also learned from this talk that our bodies are constantly regenerating, especially as we get older. When there is an injury, things get tricky. When there is an injury or disease, the body's (part where inury or disease is located) first reaction is to seal itself off from the rest of the body to fight off infections. This sealing is called scar tissue.

Atala's big question throughout this talk is can we grow organs instead of having to transplant them? He talks about how if a patient were to have a disease or injury (in larger organs), you can remove a small piece of tissue from that organ, take the tissue apart and look at the basic components of it, then you take those cells out and grow/expand them. Then you put them in the body using a scaffold (?) to bring the cells into the body. Once the cells are in the body and the tissue is regenerated, the scaffold disintegrates. I think it is kind of like the ear we talked about in class.

Your Inner Healers

The article we had to read talks about induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Apparently, scientists have claimed to have found a formula of genes from mice skin cells that creates the iPSCs, adult cells. Scientists were able to change the original identities of these cells and rejuvenate them to an embryonic state. This discovery, according to the article, could possibly hold the cure to diseases such as type 1 diabetes, alzheimers, or even Parkinson's disease. If this article is correct, then this discovery could definitely be a groundbreaking one that could help many patients diagnosed with diseases such as the ones I mentioned.    

THYROID CANCER PAPER

So, I finished the final draft of my paper on thyroid cancer this week, and I have to say, I'm really proud of it. I learned a lot from the research I did. For example, genetics play a really big role in both the cause and treatment of thyroid cancer. Certain genes are used to help treat the cancer, but at the same time there are some genes that, when mutated, can actually contribute to the cause of this cancer. I also learned about the other treatments doctors use on patients, such as radiation treatments and chemotherapy. 

A thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands, and it is located in the neck below the "Adam's apple." When a thyroid is cancerous, it usually grows lymph nodules. It actually looks really disgusting.

I'm sure you will never be able to think of or say the words "thyroid" and "nodes" without thinking of this image. Your welcome. 

I also researched more on that theory I talked about. You know, the one about the HPV vaccine for teens that could possibly be causing cancer. Apparently, there are many women who have taken this vaccine and have not long after been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. There are many websites dedicated to putting a stop to Gardasil. Doctors and the manufacturer himself refuse to do a carcinogenicity test on the vaccine. I feel that this theory needs to be looked into more.    

First Week Back: CANCER

Our first week back after break, we were given an assignment on cancer. The assignment was to write a review research paper on a specific cancer, one of our choosing. I chose to write it on thyroid cancer because I have a friend who was diagnosed with it almost 2 years ago. I really wanted to research more on this theory going around that the HPV vaccine for teens, Gardasil, is possibly causing thyroid cancer, or at least contributing to the cause.



We were also assigned new partners for the rest of the semester, and I'm actually pretty happy with mine. My partner and I had to take a Quest on Cancer. The Quest was that we had to create a treatment for a cancer and explain what it does. We honestly had no idea what we were doing, but we came up with something, eventually. It was sort of along the lines of a pill that should be taken twice a day that can stop a cancerous cell at the G1 checkpoint in the cell cycle.