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What are the effects of chemicals in food and drink on cellular function? …
What are the
effects
of
chemicals in food and drink
on
cellular function
?
Stimulants
Sugar
When the body gets glucose from foods, the pancreas releases insulin, signaling cells to absorb the glucose. This fuels cells throughout the body, resulting in an increase in energy.
Simple carbs which quickly provides energy (sugar rush)
Excessive sugar consumption may be detrimental to mitochondria. High sugar levels may reduce their efficiency and energy output
The effect of sugar on immune cell function: Culture immune cells (such as T cells or macrophages) and expose them to different concentrations of sugar solutions. The cells' ability to phagocytose (engulf and digest) bacteria can be measured by counting the number of bacteria remaining after a certain period of exposure.
The effect of sugar on red blood cell (RBC): Expose RBCs to different concentrations of sugar solutions and measure the release of hemoglobin from the cells. A spectrophotometer can be used to measure the absorbance of the hemoglobin in the solution, which will indicate the amount of hemoglobin released.
RBCs are not the same as other cell types, and the results may not be directly applicable to other cellular function or cell types.
The experiment only tests the effect of sugar on RBC membrane integrity and does not investigate other cellular functions.
The experiment only tests the effect of sugar on immune cell function and does not investigate other cellular functions.
Caffiene
Increases levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. By blocking adenosine, caffeine lets neurotransmitters that stimulate the brain move about freely
Increased alertness, improved cognitive function and reduced fatigue
Inhibits the signaling of the chemical adenosine, which is responsible for bringing heart rate back to normal, meaning that elevated heart rates and high levels of respiration are maintained
Caffeine has been reported to affect cell cycle function, induce programmed cell death or apoptosis and perturb key regulatory proteins, including the tumor suppressor protein
Testing the effect of caffeine on plant growth: Individuals grow plants in different concentrations of caffeine and observe the effect on their growth. The height and biomass of the plants can be measured, as well as the number of leaves and their chlorophyll content.
Investigating the effect of caffeine on yeast growth: Yeast cells can be cultured in different concentrations of caffeine and their growth rates can be measured. Spectrophotometry can be used to measure yeast cell density over time and observe how caffeine affects their growth.
Yeast cells are not human cells, so the results may not be directly applicable to human cellular function.
The growth of yeast cells may not accurately reflect the effect of caffeine on other types of cells.
Different plants may respond differently to caffeine, so the results may not be generalizable to all plant species.
Other factors such as temperature, light, and nutrients can also affect plant growth, so it may be difficult to isolate the effects of caffeine.
Guarana
Reduce fatigue, boost energy and aid learning and memory
Linked to better heart health, weight loss, pain relief, healthier skin, lower cancer risk and a decreased risk of age-related eye diseases
Insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate and blood pressure
As Guarana contains caffeine, these side effects apply to both stimulants
Chemicals in Food/Drink
Alcohol
Ethanol
Ethanol disrupts the physical structure of cell membranes. The most fluid membranes, including those that are low in cholesterol, are the most easily disordered by ethanol.
Energy Drink
Taurine
Taurine interacts with ion channels, stabilizes membranes, and regulates the cell volume. These actions confirm its high concentrations in excitable tissues like retina, neurons, and muscles.
Food Colouring
Carotenoids
Supplementation with carotenoids can affect cell growth and
modulate gene expression and immune responses.
Soft Drinks
Phosphoric acids
Adequate phosphorus balance is vital for maintaining basic cellular functions, ranging from energy metabolism to cell signalling. In addition, many intracellular pathways utilize phosphate ions for important cellular reactions; therefore, homoeostatic control of phosphate is one of the most delicate biological regulations.
Foods
Fruit
Naturally-occurring chemicals, such as rutin and glycine
Artificial chemicals like ethephon chloroethyl phosphonic acid and calcium carbide
Fats/Oils
Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms, and in some cases contain phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur and other elements
Dairy
Dominated by carbohydrates (primarily lactose, glucose, and galactose), inorganic ions (potassium and calcium), organic acids (citrate)
Watermelon
Citrulline
Test the effect of citrlulline on blood pressure. Give particapants varying amounts of citrulline consistently and a control (placebo) group for a set amount of houts. Measure blood pressure before and after to see if it had an effect.
One limitation of this experiment is that it is a short-term study and only measures the acute effects of citrulline on blood pressure. Citrulline supplementation may have different effects on blood pressure in the long term or with chronic use, which this experiment cannot find