Discussion post Unit 2
Dear Professor Schmitt and classmates,
For this initial discussion post I will be exploring the Pancreas. It is a glandular organ, which is located posterior and inferior to the stomach in the upper left side of the abdominal cavity. The Pancreas actually serves as two glands such as a hormone-producing endocrine gland and a digestive exocrine gland. The pancreas produces several types of enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins, fats (lipoids) and nucleic acid. The Pancreatic amylase is a enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates, the Pancreatic proteases breaks down proteins, Nucleases that break down nucleic acids, and the Pancreatic lipase breaks down fat. These processes allow the intestines to absorb nutrients (Taylor, n.d).
A certain area of interest I have that is associated with the pancreas is Diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a very serious and dangerous condition that affects people who are diabetic. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when fat is broke down and acids called Ketones, build up in the urine and blood. When there are high levels of Ketones it becomes poisonous to the body. Though Diabetic ketoacidosis is usually seen in patients with type 1 diabetes, but it has also been seen in patients with type 2 diabetes. There are several tests that can be done to screen for Diabetic ketoacidosis, as well as treatments. Without treatment of Diabetic ketoacidosis it can be deadly (Wisse, 2013).
Alexandria Cameron
References
Taylor, T. (n.d.). Inner Body: Pancreas. Retrieved April 25, 2014, from http://www.innerbody.com/image/endo03.html
Wisse, B. (2013, June 7). Diabetic Ketoacidosis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 25, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000320.htm
For this initial discussion post I will be exploring the Pancreas. It is a glandular organ, which is located posterior and inferior to the stomach in the upper left side of the abdominal cavity. The Pancreas actually serves as two glands such as a hormone-producing endocrine gland and a digestive exocrine gland. The pancreas produces several types of enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins, fats (lipoids) and nucleic acid. The Pancreatic amylase is a enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates, the Pancreatic proteases breaks down proteins, Nucleases that break down nucleic acids, and the Pancreatic lipase breaks down fat. These processes allow the intestines to absorb nutrients (Taylor, n.d).
A certain area of interest I have that is associated with the pancreas is Diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a very serious and dangerous condition that affects people who are diabetic. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when fat is broke down and acids called Ketones, build up in the urine and blood. When there are high levels of Ketones it becomes poisonous to the body. Though Diabetic ketoacidosis is usually seen in patients with type 1 diabetes, but it has also been seen in patients with type 2 diabetes. There are several tests that can be done to screen for Diabetic ketoacidosis, as well as treatments. Without treatment of Diabetic ketoacidosis it can be deadly (Wisse, 2013).
Alexandria Cameron
References
Taylor, T. (n.d.). Inner Body: Pancreas. Retrieved April 25, 2014, from http://www.innerbody.com/image/endo03.html
Wisse, B. (2013, June 7). Diabetic Ketoacidosis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 25, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000320.htm
References: Taylor, T. (n.d.). Inner Body: Pancreas. Retrieved April 25, 2014, from http://www.innerbody.com/image/endo03.html Wisse, B. (2013, June 7). Diabetic Ketoacidosis: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 25, 2014, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000320.htm