Cell Membrane Diseases
If the cell membrane is unable to do its job properly, this can cause the cell to
stop working properly. If many cells have bad cell membranes, the disease can
affect an entire organ or even the whole body. In many of these cell membrane
diseases, proteins within the cell membrane don't transport materials properly. It
is not necessarily that the membrane itself disappears, rather that certain parts
don't work.
Choose a disease/disorder from the list below to complete your research project
on. You will be completing a poster, model, video or slideshow or format of your
choice to display your research. All of the disorders mentioned are either
disorders of cell membranes or can be treated using knowledge of cell
membranes.
Topics of Research
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Alzheimer's
Cystic Fibrosis
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Stroke
Cancer (choose a type)
Pain Reduction (Morphine)
Diabetes
Cholera
Major Depressive Disorder
Anxiety Disorder
Part 1: Disease Background Information
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What is the disease? (describe its characteristics etc.)
What are the symptoms of the disease?
What age/group/gender are most affected by this disease
Statistics of Disease (how many are affected in Alberta? Canada?
Worldwide?)
Which specific cells or groups of cells are involved?
How is the disease diagnosed?
How can this disease be prevented? If not, how can one maintain a level
of health?
Part 2: Cause of Disease
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How does a person get the disease/disorder? Make sure to speak to the
molecular level.
Is there a genetic basis to the inheritance of the disease/disorder? Explain
in detail.
How does this disease effect the body system? How would the body
system function normally? (again, speak at the cellular level)
How is the disease related to cell membrane
activity/function/involvement? Be detailed.
Include a schematic diagram comparing a healthy cell to a cell with your
disease/disorder.
Part 3: Medical Research
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What current research is being done to either understand the disorder
better or to treat/cure the disorder? Where is it being done? What exactly
are they researching and how?
o Be sure to identify areas of research at the cellular level (example of
DNA and gene mapping, cell membrane function etc.)
What kind of technologies are they using for the research?
Identify specific careers that would be involved in the research and
treatment of the disorder.
Part 4: Cure/Treatment
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Can your disorder be cured? Or only treated?
Describe what treatment or curative options there are for your disorder
Describe the role of understanding the cell membrane on the use of
various medications or treatments for your disorder
Describe the pharmacology involved in the treatment method. Identify
specifically what particles (molecules, ions, proteins, receptors) are
affected at the cellular level.