biology 102 disc ***ZEEK THE GEEK***

Within the bark of trees and large plants there is a specialty dividing cell type called ‘Cambium.’ These cells exist between the wood and bast tissue used to transfer water and help with secondary growth of stems and roots while also, provide assist in the plant’s overall thickness (The Editors of Encycolopaedia Britannica, 1998). The result is a tree that is capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions, root its’ self in arduous terrain, and take the beating of almost anything nature throws at it. This cell is also unique because it technically falls into the category of an “initial” cell with the next generation of ‘daughter cells’ nearly undistinguishable. Another aspect of Cambium is its ability to grow on top of its’ self. Eventually this leads to the rings of a tree that can then be studied by Biologists to tell timeline of that tree, age, and environmental factors (GardenGuides.com).

References

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Cambium. Retrieved January 23, 2017, from https://www.britannica.com/science/cambium

GardenGuides.com. (n.d.). How Do Tree Growth Rings Form? Retrieved January 23, 2017, from http://www.gardenguides.com/126976-tree-growth-rings-form.html

JACOB:

Cardiomyocytes, or cardiac muscles, are a subclass of muscle cells, or myocytes, specifically those found in the walls of the heart.These cells are developed from myoblasts which originate in the mesoderm. They have a striated appearance due to the regularly alternating proteins that form them, as well as a single dark dot per cell that is their single, centrally located nucleus. The main unique characteristic of cardiomyocytes compared to other cells is that they contract independently of any external stimulation, following their own internal rhythms. This allows them to perform their vital function without relying on the functions of other organs. These cells attach to each other with specialized cell junctions, called intercalated discs, to form long, branching fibers, creating a mechanical and electrochemical path to propagate and synchronize the rhythms that control their contraction between large groups of cells. This allows them to coordinate their actions and successfully pump blood throughout the body. (OpenStax, 2014)