Blood Exerts a POwerful Influence On Brain
A Science Article Analysis BAsed on the Article
Author of article: Laura Sanders
Date: November 4, 2015
Analysis by: Jessica Vela
Date: November 4, 2015
Analysis by: Jessica Vela
When nerve cells (neurons) are active, they call for more blood cells by signaling nearby blood vessels, who respond by widening and allowing more blood to flow to the neurons. While fuel like glucose and oxygen are being delivered to the hungry neurons, blood is first pumped into large arteries that run outside the brain, plunging to smaller vessels called arterioles before squeezing down to capillaries so thin, blood cells must travel in a single file! The process known as “the squeeze.” Astrocytes, which are between the neurons and arterioles in a tangle of neurons and blood vessels carry the message if more blood is needed. The idea for how the neurons are able to come up with the request of more blood cells is a complex consensus that is still under extensive research. Different ideas on the control of blood flow are argued frequently. In a short synopsis, neuroscientists focus on cells called pericytes, who dot outside of capillaries. Where pericytes reside, capillaries are larger and let more blood, suggesting cells control floodgates. Endothelial cells may also help regulate blood flow, unlike the Astrocytes and pericytes which live outside vessels, endothelial cells are attached to the fabric of large and small blood cells. These detect surrounding chemical signals and carry ultrafast messages along vessels. When endothelial cells lining on the brain surface are damaged, blood no longer responds to the busy neurons, affecting the complexity of the brain.
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"The squeeze" of blood cells inside thin capillaries
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In a study of the brains of newborn babies, research demonstrates that their neurons do not yet have the skill to call for blood because the communication between neurons and blood vessels are still under development. Their brains must get used to the call for blood which naturally seems to occur in order to survive. The neurons of a human as they develop into growth literally draws blood to themselves.
Besides keeping the brain well-fed, blood may inclusively tell neurons when to fire, influencing the behavior of neurons. Filled with hormones, sugar and other nutrients, blood knows what the body needs. Without the hormones sent to the brain, an unbalance would occur in the brain and the information would not be processed to respond to the body. New doors of science have opened, researching ways to change the brain by changing blood, affecting their interaction. The blood and brain united form a larger part contributing to the functions of the body with a bigger impact than what most scientists imagined. |
The article was picked with the purpose of finding a science article about the importance of red blood cells in the body, including their delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the brain. While searching for an article that would have a similar topic to the one I was looking for, I came across “Blood Exerts A Powerful Influence on the Brain,” the article drew my attention the most. With the background knowledge that I already obtained, I knew that red blood cells in the bloodstream carry oxygen and iron to the brain. Low amounts of iron in one's diet can lead to an abnormal low amount in a person's body, a state known as anemia. A low quantity of iron is not enough to get oxygen to the brain, which affects the functions of the brain and can lead to bodily symptoms. From what I already knew, the blood definitely influences the brain’s capability to function. With the research made from the article, I understand the details to the influence that the bloodstream has on the brain, especially the united work they both are able to accomplish to find out what the body is always in need of. Back to the relation to anemia, I have recently noticed a couple of cases on anemia in my surroundings. Though the article has no mention of anemia or iron deficiency, I can comprehend with the given information from the article that neurons in need of oxygen call upon the blood vessels for oxygen, but the red blood cells don't have enough to support neurons with enough oxygen, creating symptoms the body may feel within time. The curiosity I had with anemia led me to this interesting article that informed me with more on blood and the complexity of the brain.
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Red blood cell comparison of regular health vs. anemia
Blood vessels on outskirts of brain
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Brain with Alzheimer's loosing neuron connections
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The article is important to the world of today for various reasons relating to the field of medicine and the advancement of new developing drugs for different diseases. With evidence from the article, the blood stream has a direct relationship with the brain’s functions. Cardiologists and neurologists studying how harmed blood cells related to disorders that start from neurons can help prevent such disorders like Alzheimer’s disease among others. In relation, new drugs made for medical purposes should be extremely studied before their use, since the drugs will eventually be consumed and form part of a person's blood vessels, the drugs may in the long term have an effect on neurons that may lead to negative outcomes. As seen with improper use of drugs, the brain is altered dangerously sometimes, therefore pharmacists are in charge of finding the right doses that won’t lead to negative impacts to the central commander of the human body.
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Work Cited
“Blood Exerts a Powerful Influence on the Brain.” Science News. Web. 7 Nov. 2015. <https://www.sciencenews.org/article/blood-exerts-powerful-influence-brain>
*Sources for the pictures can be viewed by clicking on them
“Blood Exerts a Powerful Influence on the Brain.” Science News. Web. 7 Nov. 2015. <https://www.sciencenews.org/article/blood-exerts-powerful-influence-brain>
*Sources for the pictures can be viewed by clicking on them