Silicosis and asbestosis are debilitating lung diseases caused by inhalation of silica particles and asbestos fibers respectively. These particles accumulate in the lungs' macrophages and lysosomes. Fibroblasts are then stimulated to deposit collagen nodules in the lungs, reducing capacity and impairing breathing, ultimately causing death. The fibers or particles physically abrade the lysosomal membrane, causing it to become leaky and allowing acid hydrolases to escape. This leads to cell death as the acid hydrolases digest cellular components.
Silicosis is a debilitating miners disease that results from the in.pdf
1. Silicosis is a debilitating miner's disease that results from the ingestion of silica particles (such
as sand or glass) by macrophages in the lungs. Asbestosis is a similarly serious disease caused by
inhalation of asbestos fibers. In both cases, the particles or fibers are found in lysosomes. and
fibroblasts, which secrete collagen, are stimulated to deposit nodules of collagen fibers in the
lungs, leading to reduced lung capacity, Impaired breathing, and eventually death. Part B What
effect do you think fiber or particle accumulation has on the lysosomes? The fibers or particles
may chemically modify the lysosomal membrane, causing it to become leaky. The fibers or
particles may physically mitigate the lysosomal membrane, causing it to become firm. The
fibers or particles may physically abrade the lysosomal membrane, causing it to become leaky.
The fibers or particles may chemically modify the lysosomal membrane, causing it to become
firm. Part C How might you explain the death of silica-containing or asbestos-containing cells?
Cell death is probably due to the adsorption of acid hydrolases on damaged lysosomes. Cell
death is probably due to the digestion of cellular components by acid hydrolases that escape from
damaged lysosomes. Cell death is probably due to the digestion of cellular components by alkali
that escape from damaged lysosomes. Cell death is probably due to the adsorption of cellular
components by acids that escape from damaged lysosomes.
Solution
Part B:
Correct answer is:The fibers or particles may physically abrade the lysosomal membrane,
causing it to become leaky.
Reason:The silica and asbestos particles wear away the lysosomal membrane which makes them
leaky.
Part C:
Correct answer is:Cell death is probably due to digestion of cellular components by acid
hydrolases that escape from damaged lysosomes.
Reason: Acid hydrolases released due to damaged lysosomal membrane causes autophagy of
cellular components.