Basic concepts - Our biology

Basic Biology

The human body is complex. And to function correctly, it requires numerous processes to work together to ensure homeostasis, a steady state of functioning where the individual is at its optimum.

Structure and function are closely linked. To ensure our anatomy; that is the physical components that makes us exist and remain active, are correctly proportioned, multitude of substrates work together and in sync continuously.

An insight into biological processes is best considered from the the life of microscopic organisms. The smallest unit of a living thing is the cell. And the cell comprises organelles or components. Students of biochemistry will understand that these organelles when blended or squashed into liquid form, may be separated into different groups, water being the largest component. Other than water the components of the cell are carbohydrates, lipids or fat, proteins, and combinations of these two. Lipids or fat could be unstaturated or saturated depending on the types of bonds  between the key molecules, usually carbon. Similarly proteins are usually built-up from amino acids, the simplest unit, to form peptides, polypeptides and then proteins. Carbohydrates are in the same vein, derived from simple sugars. These could be monosacharides such as glucose or disaccharides such as fructose or sucrose. More complex sugars include glycogen or starch.

From these basic components cells form special molecules which become the building blocks of different parts of the cell e.g the cell membrane, transport proteins, storage vacoules, DNA or mitochondria;  or indeed specialised cells such as muscles, skin, neurones etc.

Moving on from the building blocks of the human body, it is perhaps useful to now consider how different parts of the body communicate or interact within itself and with the outside world to function effectively. 

Basic Physiology

The body relies on multiple processes working simultatneously. There is cell to cell communication within each organ and there are communications between distant organs such as the brain and the heart or the kidney and the lungs etc.

To understand function further, it is perhaps important to recognise how the human body is structured into systems. Each system essentially specialises in performing one main function but would also support the other systems in their individual processes. The interrelatedness of each system explains why a disease in one organ in a given system can overtime, lead to problems in other systems. 

Suffice it to say that of all the systems described in most biology textbooks the cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems are essential and indeed critical to life. The other systems serve to maintain a healthy state of functioning in addition to longevity and procreation.

Communication between organs and various systems is achieved through networks. The nervous system is subdivided into the central and the peripheral systems which is composed of two major types of nerves: Sensory and Motor neurones. The nervous system also has a voluntary (Musculoskeletal) system and an involuntary (autonomic) system. At the end of an impulse, neurochemicals are released unto the endorgan to trigger an effect.

Communication beyond the nervous system relies on a variety of mechanisms. These processes involve hormones which could be neuropeptides, glycopeptides or fatty molecules (steroids) or combination of these.

This is where it gets interesting.

Vitamins, Trace elements and micronutrients