Monday, January 27, 2020
Concepts of Bio-Electricity
Concepts of Bio-Electricity Introduction What is Bio-electricity? Bio-electricity is an interdisciplinary theme which refers to the production of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields in biological tissue (Cameron, 1996). This essay focus on the production of electric fields for use in organisms rather than in electrical circuits. An electric field is an area around a charged particle created by an electric force; the magnitude and direction of this force is determined by the charge of the particles surrounding it (Dictionary, no date). An example of this in Biology is the electrical system of the heart and the maintaining of membrane potentials in cells in the body. Bio-electricity in Nature American Paddlefish An example of an organism which uses Bio-electricity in an enhanced form is the American Paddlefish (or Spoonbill Catfish). These are large, freshwater fish from North America which have an extensive, paddle-like flat nose. The extended nose of the fish is embedded with pores with cells called electroreceptors (Thomas, 2016). These pores spread over the fishs body, from the nose to gill covers, covering around half of its skin (Wilkens, 2001). This allows the detection of weak electric currents in the water they travel in, thus allowing them to hunt their main source of food; plankton. These sensors are extremely sensitive, and are able to respond to electrical fields of less than 1/100th of one 1-millionth volt per centimetre (Wilkens, 2001). All organisms emit weak electric signals (e.g. electrical impulses due to the beating of the heart), and thus can be detected by these cells. The electrical signal is sent to the brain via the neurons. Paddlefish being able to detect these fields aid their survival, as their environment is generally very dark (Thomas, 2016). Electric Eel Another example of Bio-electricity in nature being used in a different way is with the Electric Eel. It can do this due to the electrogenic cells in its body called electrocytes, each with a negative charge of around 100 millivolts (Scientific American, 2005). These are all modified muscle cells in the eels tail. When a signal from a command nucleus arrives to each of the cells, a neurotransmitter is released. These are chemical signals which allow information to be transmitted between nerve cells (Cherry, 2016). As a result of this, a path of low resistance is created, connecting the interior and exterior of each cell. This allows the cells to behave like batteries, with opposing sides of the cell acting as positive and negative terminals (Scientific American, 2005). This is used to both hunt and kill prey. If in sight, prey can be hunted by the eels the release of high voltage pulses of a frequency of 400/s. If these pulses reach another organism, it will interfere with its neurons, causing them to involuntarily contract. This contraction is extremely strong due to the sequence of the pulses released; each lengthy torrent is succeeded by a pair of rapid pulses, making the process as efficient as possible. As a result of this, the prey can experience complete short term paralysis, allowing the eel to attack. The effect is similar of that of a taser on a human (Yong, 2014). Similar to that of the Paddlefish, potential prey can also be detected through the use of Bio-electricity. The Electric Eel can send out pulses, again causing the prey to contract involuntarily. The resulting ripples in the water would reveal the location of any organism affected, as the eel is extremely sensitive to movement (it can strike within 20 thousandths of a second from when movement is detected). This provides a further opportunity for the eel to kill (Yong, 2014). Moreover, the eel can kill prey (or deter predators) by directly shocking them. Though each individual electrocyte can create only a small electric field, the cells are connected as parallel batteries are in a circuit, creating a larger electric field. The combined electrocytes create 3 large electric organs which can take up 80% of the eels body (Giardina, 2016). This means an average Electric Eel can produce electricity of around 600 volts at 2 milliseconds at a time. Bio-electricity in Medicine The use of Bio-electricity to treat human conditions is being increasingly explored. A link between the immune system, the series of processes which works to primarily fight off disease, and the nervous system, processes which involve electrical signals within the body, is being researched. One of the main method of using our knowledge of Bio-electricity in Medicine is through the stimulation of the Vagus nerve, also known as Cranial Nerve (X). This is one of 12 cranial nerves, which are nerves which begin from the brain stem rather than the spinal cord. These nerves are responsible for the motor and sensory functions of our body (InnovateUs Inc, 2013). Of all the cranial nerves, the Vagus nerve is the longest, extending through the thorax, heart, stomach, abdominal muscles and others. This links the brainstem to the body and major organs (particularly the heart), allowing information to be easily transferred in an electrical circuit-like system (InnovateUs Inc, 2013). One of the uses of the Vagus nerve stimulation is the controlling of seizures in epilepsy patients. This is by connecting a small device to the left Vagus nerve in the neck. The device can then send out small electrical impulses via the nerve to the brain. This reduces activity in the brain which can lead to seizures; seizures themselves are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. (Epilepsy Society, 2016). A second use of Bio-electricity in Medicine is the use of cardiac pacemakers in the treatment of Parkinsons disease, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a loss of dopamine producing nerve cells in the brain (NHS Choices, 2016). To help reduce the symptoms of Parkinsons, which include rigidity, tremors and bradykinesia, doctors are implanting a small electronic device called a neurostimulator in patients (Lazarus, 2014). The device sends out regular electrical impulses to areas of the brain responsible for movement. This allows impulse to block the irregular signals which cause the shaking in patients, giving them more control. The entire process is called Deep Brain Stimulation and is a widely used technique to help improve quality of life in people with Parkinsons. Conclusion In conclusion, Bio-electricity is a naturally occurring phenomenon occurring in humans and animals alike, and is essential to everyday living. Its natural uses explored include communication between the brain and body via neurotransmittors and nerve cells, the detection of prey and predator in animals and its use in hunting. With modern technological advances, its use is being extended to the treatment of disorders in humans including depression, Parkinsons, arthritis and epilepsy, many of which through the installation of electrical devices which send out impulses. With further research and understanding, it is hoped to that it can be used to treat many more diseases, improving quality of life for many more people. Bibliography Cameron, J. (1996) Bioelectromagnetism-Principles and applications of Bioelectric and Biomagnetic fields, by J. Malmivuo and R. Plonsey, Medical Physics, 23(8), pp. 1471-1471. doi: 10.1118/1.597895. Cherry, K. (2016) Basics of biological psychology the brain and behavior. Available at: https://www.verywell.com/lesson-three-brain-and-behavior-2795291 (Accessed: 22 December 2016). Dictionary (no date) The definition of electric field, in Available at: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/electric-field (Accessed: 27 December 2016). Epilepsy Society (2016) Vagus nerve stimulation. Available at: https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/vagus-nerve-stimulation#.WGHxfFxHa0w (Accessed: 27 December 2016). Giardina, T. (2016) ELECTRIC FEEL: Scientist explains how eels make electricity. Available at: http://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2015/05/30/electric-eels-create-shock/28208993/ (Accessed: 26 December 2016). InnovateUs Inc (2013) What is the function of the Vagus nerve? Available at: http://www.innovateus.net/innopedia/what-function-vagus-nerve (Accessed: 27 December 2016). Lazarus, J. (2014) Surgical Treatment Options. Available at: http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/treatment/surgery-treatment-options/Deep-Brain-Stimulation (Accessed: 27 December 2016). NHS Choices (2016) Parkinsons disease causes. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/pages/causes.aspx (Accessed: 27 December 2016). Scientific American (2005) How do electric eels generate a voltage and why do they not get shocked in the process? Available at: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-do-electric-eels-gene/ (Accessed: 22 December 2016). Thomas, B. (2016) Paddlefish are tuned to eat only Plankton. Available at: http://www.icr.org/article/paddlefish-are-tuned-eat-only-plankton/ (Accessed: 17 December 2016). Wilkens, L. (2001) Tuning in to Paddlefish. Available at: https://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2001/01/tuning-paddlefish (Accessed: 17 December 2016). Yong, E. (2014) Electric Eels can remotely control their preys muscles. Available at: http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2014/12/04/electric-eels-can-remotely-control-their-preys-muscles/ (Accessed: 22 December 2016).
Sunday, January 19, 2020
freedol Noras Freedom in Ibsens A Dolls House Essay example -- A Do
Nora's Freedom in The Doll House à à à à à Nora is initially introduced as a macaroon-loving, naà ¯ve individual constantly trying to please her husband.à However, when the audience discovers that she borrowed the funds that allowed her and her husband to travel to Italy for a year in order to save Torvald from certain harm, Nora demonstrates that she is actually a much stronger character than originally portrayed.à However, the real problem lies with the way in which she burrowed the money.à In order to get the cash, Nora forged her father's signature.à As a result, she is in debt to the man who leant her the money, Nils Krogstad. à Within the context of modern times, Nora's crime appears almost daring and creative, rather than completely criminal (Egan 67).à In comparison, Torvald's reactions to Nora's crimes seem almost cruel and unimaginative.à When he scolds Nora's father for a similar failure to secure proper signatures and condemns Nils for doing the same, he appears to be an unsympathetic individual.à He scolds people and judges them for their actions without considering why the may have done what they did. à Furthermore, the household in which Nora and Torvald live in is completely patriarchal, again demonstrating Torvald's limited imagination.à He gives Nora very little power and very little credit, when she appears to be much more imaginative than him.à Within the house's walls, all items exist for one purpose: to entertain Torvald.à Also, Torvald appears to lack the understanding that other people may be interested in other things, and that there are people on this planet who should be considered within the same class as him.à à The play was initially seen as an attempt to express the conflict... ... Henrick Ibsen: A Biography.à Garden City: Doubleday, 1971. à The student may wish to begin the essay with the quote below: à Good grief, can't you understand?à The old man never existed; that was only something I'd dream up time and again whenever I was at my wits' end for money.à But it makes no difference now; the old fossil can go where he pleases for all I care; I don't need him or his will-because now I'm free.à Oh, how lovely to think of that, Kristine!à Carefree!à To now you're carefree, utterly carefree; to be able to romp and play with the children, ,and to keep up a beautiful,à charming home-everything just the way Torvald likes it!à à And think, spring is coming, with big blue skies.à Maybe we can travel a little then.à Maybe I'll see the ocean again.. Oh yes, it is so marvelous to live and be happy! à à à à à à à à à à à --Nora in The Doll House.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Great Gatsby Social Analisys
East Egg and West Egg are both enormously wealthy suburbs of New York City, located on Long Island where they face the ocean. East Egg is the home of those people who enjoy the highest social prestige, as well as their money. Their fortunes have been inherited and their roots run deep in American society. Theirs is ââ¬Å"old money. â⬠The East Eggers place great value on tradition, family background, social convention, and manners, and they look with contempt upon others who were not born to their kind of wealth. The Buchanans live in East Egg. Tom and Daisy are example of the old money and social snobbery of East Egg. Those who live in West Egg, like Gatsby, are also very wealthy, but they are the social newcomers who have made their money through commerce (legal or otherwise). They lack the sense of entitlement found among the East Eggers, and they are not ââ¬Å"refinedâ⬠or ââ¬Å"polishedâ⬠in their manners. Gatsby represents this social class. He owns a mansion and dresses well, but he lacks the background of an old and well established family. He is uneducated. He has a great deal of money, but he displays it very conspicuouslyââ¬âa sign of terrible taste to someone like Tom Buchanan. By developing the social differences between East Egg and West Egg, Fitzgerald develops one the novel's themes. No matter how wealthy Gatsby might become, he would never belong to the Buchananââ¬â¢s' upper social class because he was not born into it. He would always be an outsider.
Friday, January 3, 2020
The Russian Revolution And The Revolution - 1844 Words
In 1917 a great revolution would collapse Russiaââ¬â¢s monarchy and extend the color of red throughout the world. During this time, Leon Trotsky and Vladimir Lenin were instrumental in causing the grand collapse of the Russian government and the reformation into a communist state. The Russian revolution changed the world when it happened and I believe it changed the people of Europe after it occurred. The Russian Revolution actually has two important parts to it the February Revolution (March 1917) and the October Revolution (November 1917). The February Revolution, which took place in modern day St. Petersburg, was lethal to the royal government of Russia. It began with the bread, it was not like they did not have the supplies for the population, ââ¬Å"the problem was the breakdown of the transport systemâ⬠(Figes 68). The February Revolution was also largely caused by the ineffectiveness of the Russian military in World War One and the failure of the Russian empire throughout the last couple decades. The people of Russia were ashamed of the military throwing away their lives and having to eat sparingly to survive the winter. Peasants were so poor they could barely afford a piece of bread for a week. Mass demonstrations were held in the squares and violence took to the streets. People ambushed the royal guards in front of the palace and they were shot down by the insignific ant force left to guard the capital. The revolution was largely leaderless as Russian people just wanted foodShow MoreRelatedThe Russian Revolution And The Revolution1767 Words à |à 8 PagesThe Russian Revolution was a series of two revolutions that consisted of the February Revolution and the October Revolution. The February Revolution of March 8th, 1917 was a revolution targeted and successfully removed Czar Nicholas II from power. The February Revolution first began to take place when strikes and public protests between 1916 and early 1917 started occurring. These strikes were created to protest against and to blame Czar Nicholas II for Russiaââ¬â¢s poor performance in WWI and severeRead MoreThe Russian Revolution And The Soviet Revolution1295 Words à |à 6 Pageslives and liberty. This incorporation of force caused repression and unrest amongst the people and the Russian Revolution was essentially an outburst from this. (Columbia Encyclopedia, n.d). The Russian Revolutio n consisted of two separate strikes in 1917, the first of which overthrew the imperial government and the second strike which placed the Bolshevik party in power. The Russian Revolution evidently brought a drastic transformation to the government, society and economy of Russia. The communistRead MoreThe Russian Revolution And The Soviet Revolution Essay1196 Words à |à 5 PagesSoviets: The Russian People and Their Revolution, 1917-21. London: UCL Press, 1996. Read, Christopher. From Tsar to Soviets: The Russian People and Their Revolution, 1917-21. London: UCL Press, 1996. pp. 6, 63. Christopher Read, the author of the book From Tsar to Soviets: The Russian People and Their Revolution, 1917-21, is a professor at the University of Warwick in Europe. Read teaches twentieth-century European history. He specializes in the social history of the Russian Revolution and the intellectualRead MoreRussian Revolution And The Soviet Revolution1238 Words à |à 5 Pageslives and liberty. This incorporation of force caused repression and unrest amongst the people and the Russian Revolution was essentially an outburst from this. (Columbia Encyclopedia, n.d). The Russian Revolution consisted of two separate strikes in 1917, the first of which overthrew the imperial government and the second strike which placed the Bolshevik party in power. The Russian Revolution evidently brought a drastic transformation to the government, society and economy of Russia. The communistRead MoreThe Russian Revolution and the Orange Revolution738 Words à |à 3 PagesOne example of a violent overth row of government is the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Russian people were dissatisfied with the authoritarian rule of the Tsar and years of the majority living in poverty, with few resources. These problems were multiplied with Russiaââ¬â¢s participation in World War I which strained resources further and removed skilled works from factories to fight. These workers were replaced them with peasant farmers, leaving fewer rural laborers. Peasant farmers had long felt thatRead MoreThe Russian Revolution And The Soviet Revolution1749 Words à |à 7 PagesIn 1917, two revolutions completely changed the constitution of Russia. The Russian Monarchy was removed from power, placing Lenin and the Bolshevik party as the head of the newly formed Soviet Russia, resulting in the formation of the world s first communist country. Traditional culture of the Imperial Russia was cast aside and a new Soviet culture began to take shape. The rise of the Bolsheviks ensued major reforms which predo minantly focused on wide spread cultivation and spreading of Marxist-LeninistRead MoreThe Russian Revolution And The Soviet Revolution1298 Words à |à 6 PagesMoreover, the Russian Revolution was the outcome of the communist party wanting to have complete control over the citizens in Russia. They displayed this idea with their thoughts about removing the practice of religion. They saw religion as an ââ¬Å"opium,â⬠for they believed it caused the people to be inactive ââ¬âmainly the working class (Brose, 167). For they saw religion as a malicious idea, which caused them to see churches as a danger to the bourgeoisie because they believed that the proletarians wereRead MoreThe Russian Bolshevik Revolution And The Soviet Revolution1578 Words à |à 7 PagesRevolution provides some of the most dynamic and complex parts of history. New countries and governing systems arise from revolution, and these changes not only affect said countries, but also the rest of the world. In t he case of the Russian Bolshevik Revolution, the political changes that occurred sent the rest of the world into panic, as they sensed a dangerous threat to their political and social systems. With social and political issues tracing back to 1891, the conditions of Russia in 1917Read MoreThe Russian Revolution Of 19171109 Words à |à 5 Pagessole cause of the Russian Revolution of 1917. Even before the outbreak of war, the Russian population were largely dissatisfied with the government under the Tsarist regime. Though the Great War played a role in sparking the Russian Revolution, with much of the unstable faith in the Tsar collapsing in Military Russia, it would be naà ¯ve to discredit the mounting economic and social pressures that contributed to the fall of the Tsarist Regime, and the beginning of the Revolution. Leading up to theRead MoreCauses of Russian Revolution1196 Words à |à 5 PagesRussia came to be because of a variety of different reasons. The revolution came about through a long phase of repression, unrest, and poverty for the average working-class Russian of the 20th Century. A long line of tyrannical Tsars had ruled the country self-interestedly for many centuries, and over 95% of the country lived under severe economic and social conditions. Like a bridge that has too much weight pressing down on it, the Russians were starting to break from the heavy burden of oppression and
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