Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS): Description, Causes, Treatment

Brief overview What is APS? APS is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces defensive substances (antibodies) against the body’s own cells. Blood clots occur, which can result in severe complications. Causes: The causes of APS are not clearly understood. Risk factors: Other autoimmune diseases, pregnancy, smoking, infections, estrogen-containing drugs, obesity, genetic predisposition. … Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS): Description, Causes, Treatment

Collagenosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

A so-called collagenosis is a special autoimmune disease. In the context of an autoimmune disease, the body’s own tissue is seen by the immune system of the human body as a so-called foreign body. What is collagenosis? Collagenosis is considered by leading medical experts to be a serious disease of connective tissue. Because several organs … Collagenosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Passive Mass Transfer: Function, Role & Diseases

Passive mass transport is the diffusion of substrates across a biomembrane. This diffusion occurs along the concentration gradient and does not require energy. The diffusion process may be impaired in the intestines of HIV patients, for example. What is passive mass transfer? Passive solute transport is the diffusion of substrates across the biomembrane of cells … Passive Mass Transfer: Function, Role & Diseases

Semipermeability: Function, Role & Diseases

Semipermeability refers to biomembranes that are selectively permeable to certain substances and cannot be passed by other substances. Semipermeability is the basis of osmosis and characterizes the cells of all living things. Disturbances in semipermeability have devastating consequences for electrolyte and water balance in cellular compartments. What is semipermeability? Semipermeability refers to biomembranes that are … Semipermeability: Function, Role & Diseases

Mononuclear Phagocyte System: Function, Role & Diseases

The term mononuclear phagocyte system encompasses all body cells that are capable of phagocytosis and are thus part of the immune system. The cells are capable of taking up disease germs, cellular degradation products, and foreign particles, rendering them harmless, and transporting them away. Progenitor cells, which develop into phagocytosis-capable cells only after appropriate stimulation, … Mononuclear Phagocyte System: Function, Role & Diseases

Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Antiphospholipid syndrome, also known as Hughes syndrome, causes disorders in the clotting process of the blood. Affected individuals suffer from thrombosis more quickly; the condition also often leads to complications during pregnancy. What is antiphospholipid syndrome? Antiphospholipid syndrome is a disorder that causes the body to mistakenly make antibodies against proteins that are not hostile. … Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Membrane Permeability: Function, Role & Diseases

Membrane permeability characterizes the permeability of molecules through cell membranes. All cells are demarcated from intercellular space by biomembranes and simultaneously contain cell organelles that are themselves surrounded by membranes. The permeability of membranes is necessary for the smooth flow of biochemical reactions. What is membrane permeability? Membrane permeability characterizes the permeability of molecules through … Membrane Permeability: Function, Role & Diseases