What would be the effect of extended weightlessness on the skeletal system?

REPLY TO 2 OTHER STUDENTS
The questions we had to answer:
you must post to at least TWO (2) other students with genuine, thought provoking responses (minimum 100 words each).
1. Explore the statement, Multiple pregnancies will result in the mother losing all the enamel from her teeth and calcium from her bones. Is this all true, all false, or only
partly true?
2. Prepare a list of the hormonal abnormalities that can affect the growth of bones, both
in children and in adults.
3. If air pollution becomes much worse, could it have an effect on bone development? Why?
4. Calcium plays an important role in bone formation. What other roles does calcium play in the body?
5. Full-contact sports seem to be a part of the curriculum for primary-school-age children. In terms of bone development, is this wise?
6. Prehistoric remains of animals consist almost exclusively of bones and teeth. Why?
7. If bone tissue is so hard, how can we move teeth from one location in the jaw to another?
8. Why are infections more common with compound fractures than with simple fractures?
9. What would be the effect of extended weightlessness on the skeletal system? How can these effects be minimized or at least reduced?
10.Ask students to consider the consequences of bones that did not form medullary cavities during development but instead, stayed filled in throughout.

Student A)

3. If air pollution becomes much worse, could it have an effect on bone development? Why?
Our bones are constantly being built up and broken down, osteoblasts are cells that build up the bone whereas osteoclasts tear down so the cell can start over. However when particulate matter or pollutants are breathed in may lead to an interference with your bodies complex process. Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury can actually get into the bones and stay there. Many metals like these can be toxic and effect vitamin D concentrations, suppress osteoblasts, and stimulate osteoclasts which remind you osteoclasts are the tear down cells. Studies found a relationship between long term air pollution and osteoporosis, the first study was people who lived in the northeast and mid-Atlantic portions of the US over an eight year period. Analysis determined those who lived in locations with a higher concentration of a smaller particulate matter in the air were more likely to be admitted to the hospital for osteoporosis related bone fractures, but among low income neighborhoods the risk was even higher. And the second study revealed that among 692 middle aged low income men from the Boston area, which had higher small particulate matter and black carbon concentrations tended to have a lower blood levels of parathyroid hormone. This hormone is responsible for regulating calcium levels in the blood and rebuilding the bone, which in return led to more bone loss over time in the femurs and radii.
9. What would be the effect of extended weightlessness on the skeletal system? How can these effects be minimized or at least reduced?
Zero gravity is the effects of gravity not being felt, if you ask me not bearing weight on my feet sounds great, however going long term without gravity can lead to many health problems. Calcium in the bones can secrete out through the urine, and bones and muscles can weaken, some of these cases have been linked with osteoporosis: a loss in bones density and strength. Have you ever head the saying Use it or lose it? Well for this scenario thats exactly how it goes. Astronauts on average can lose about 1% to 2% of their bone density every month. With bones constantly reshaping themselves in relation to the stress that is put on them by outside forces, so when zero gravity is the norm for the astronauts the bones can weaken because they have not been supporting the body against gravity. To help reduce and counter these effects astronauts will typically spend roughly two hours a day exercising and can include cardio, and weightlifting. However even with this routine it still takes months of rehabilitation to adjust back to earth after a typical six month mission.

Student B)

Why are infections more common with compound fractures than with simple fractures?
Fractures are damages in the bones, which can be from a fall or an accident that damages the structural integrity of the bone due to shear impact of force that the body absorbs. A simple fracture, or closed fracture, is a fracture in which the injured bone cracks or breaks but does not pierce the skin. Therefore, leaving the internal environment of the body in a more protected atmosphere. A compound fracture, or open fracture, is a fracture in which the injured bone sticks through the skin. This leaves the body open to its outside environment and can be more serious. Once the skin is broken, bacteria from dirt and other contaminants can enter the wound and cause an infection. With a compound fracture the damage to the soft tissues around the bone, muscles, tendons, nerves, veins, and arteries can also be extensive. The more damage to the bone and soft tissue the greater the risk for infection. The compound fracture would then be assessed by a doctor, then cleaned and the bone would be put back together most often by surgery.
What would be the effect of extended weightlessness on the skeletal system? How can these effects be minimized or at least reduced?
Space, the final frontier. The effect of extended weightlessness on the skeletal system can lead to significant bone loss. Bones are living tissue that constantly reshape themselves in response to stresses that are placed on them. In other words, what you do daily, helps to shape your bones. The reshaping of bones is done by two types of bone cells that are in the body. One bone cell is called an osteoblast which helps to build up bones, and the other is called an osteoclast which breaks bones down. The two often balance each other out. When stresses on bones are reduced, the removal by the osteoclasts will increase and the osteoblasts will decrease. This leads to too little bone which can more easily break. So, in prolonged weightlessness, bone mass decreases because the lack of stress on the bones slows the formation of osteoblast cells. The fewer bone-building cells, along with bone-destroying activity, gives a net loss of bone mass. This is why it is important to take care of your bones. Some ways an astronaut can limit bone loss is by getting enough calcium in their diet, limiting the intake of carbonated beverages because these types of drinks take away the important minerals required by bones and decreases bone density. Lastly, exercise. Exercise helps increase bone mass and strengthens muscles to help provide a buffer against bone loss. In doing these simple prevention factors, when an astronaut comes back to earth their bone loss is not as significant.

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