http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tRWsa4W3SHQ
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/244974.php
Above are a video and a the article that contains the video. This article is about a new protein that was found on the surface of blood platelets. It is called JAM-A, or 'junctional adhesion molecule A'. This protein is a powerful clot inhibitor, and helps stop unwanted blood clots from growing. Scientists are now looking further into this as this protein can help lower the number of heart disease patients all around the world. Studies have shown that people with higher levels of JAM-A have a longer life span than those who don't.
This relates to the cardiovascular and skeletal units that we have learned in Biology. It relates to cardiovascular because it relates to blood clots and how they are formed. In class, we learned that blood clots can inhibit the flow of blood, which could cause a heart attack. It relates to the skeletal system because blood is made in the bone marrow, which is in the bones. With the discovery of this protein, doctors could be able to prevent heart disease in patients.
If the JAM-A protein is a powerful clot inhibitor, then how do people with high amounts of these proteins not have excessive bleeding when they have a cut/injury? Does it interfere with the clotting process of damaged blood vessels?
ReplyDeleteIf someone has a disease where it takes a long time for the blood to clot such as hemophilia, could doctors take away some of their JAM-A or disable it?
ReplyDelete