The body itself continues to amaze me in many different ways. In particularly our immune system that works hard to maintain our chemical balance each day for us to function. The brain in particular, which as many magnificent components upon, I choose to go more in depth of a type of barrier that saves our life’s each day.
The Blood- Brain Barrier depends on endothelial cells. Thus, having to depend on these types of cells, they form a type of wall of capillaries along our brain. This wall holds together so tightly that majority of factors cannot surpass it. The wall separates the blood, cerebral spinal fluid and the central nervous system in our bodies. One advantage of this wall is that it blocks off viruses, bacteria, and harmful chemicals. Who wouldn’t want this type of function within our bodies to help us? It is a natural resource among humans. The Blood- Brain Barrier is super important to our health. One disadvantage stated within our book is that since the wall is so tightly compacted within the barrier it can also keep out the nutrients we need for our brain. For example, if we have a disease pertaining to our brain and we need a certain medication administrated; the wall is so tightly compacted we wouldn’t be able to do so. This video below will demonstrate more in detail what the Blood- Brain Barrier is really about.
This picture demonstrates the Blood- Brain Barrier among the brain.
In your opinion, how do you feel about the blood- brain barrier? What do you think what would happen if this barrier didn’t exist?
I also was really interested in the topic of the blood brain barrier. Honestly, it is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, if we didn't have this barrier, disease would ravage all that we have up in our skulls. On the other hand, disease that made its way in just won't get out. The video you posted about the dye is impeccable. It shows just how "knowledgeable" our brain really is. It is my deepest hope however that scientists find a way to transmit the drugs we need and save lives suffering from brain disease from now and in the future.
ReplyDeleteThere was one interesting information about the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) that continually sticks in my head... That is even though we are able to fight diseases, and viruses in the body, that does not equally mean it leaves our body for good... No sir.. Once virus enters, that thing stays with us for life. It will remain dormant. However there is a possibility that it can result into a progressive disease in the future! The phenomenon to thank for this occurrence is none other than the BBB! I think if it did not exist, well we would not be here. It's a result of natural selection and evolution. This BBB can only be found in vertebrates, i.e. us!
ReplyDeleteIt would be very interesting if we could somehow control what goes in and out of the BBB (Blood-Brain Barrier). Without it, we would be prone to many more diseases an illnesses. It sucks that we can't use some of our drugs on the brain because it would probably be really beneficial to curing illness and disease. Although, it's pretty freakin' awesome that we can count on our brain to not let us drop dead. If I had to choose whether or not our brain was picky, I would definitely leave it the way it is.
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