A2429C Human Systems in Health and Disease Case Study Assignment Questions | RP

Assignment Questions. Answer ALL THREE questions.

Case Study 1 (Total 20 marks)

A. A patient with an autoimmune disorder has been reported to have damaged pancreatic cells, which are responsible for releasing glucagon. Predict how damage to the cells will impact blood glucose regulation and justify your reasoning. (10 marks)

NOTE: Your discussion should cover:

• Anatomy and Physiology related to glucagon secretion
• How the absence of glucagon affects blood glucose homeostasis
• Justification for why both insulin and glucagon are necessary for proper regulation

B. A patient suffering from liver disease has difficulty maintaining normal blood glucose levels. Draw a flowchart to illustrate how liver function contributes to glucose homeostasis and explain the process. Additionally, suggest dietary and lifestyle interventions to support glucose levels in this condition. (10 marks)

NOTE: Your discussion should cover:

• Role of the liver in glucose level homeostasis
• How liver dysfunction affects insulin sensitivity
• Dietary and lifestyle changes

Case Study 2 (Total 20 marks)

A. Skeletal muscle contraction depends on the interaction of actin and myosin filaments. Discuss how muscle contraction would be affected if calcium ion release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is impaired due to a mutation in the ATPase Ca²⁺ transporter. Justify your answer by relating it to the sliding filament theory. (10 marks)

NOTE: Your discussion should cover:

• Role of calcium in muscle contraction
• Effect of impaired calcium release
• Relation to the sliding filament theory

B. A patient with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder, experiences progressive muscle weakness in the limbs and other body parts.

Explain how myasthenia gravis may result in muscle weakness. Suggest a possible treatment approach and how it would improve muscle function. (10 marks).

NOTE: Your discussion should cover:

• Impact on the neuromuscular junction
• Effect of myasthenia gravis on muscle function
• Common treatment approach and its mechanism of action
• Improvement in muscle function

Case study 3 (Total 20 marks)

A. A 60-year-old patient, Tim, has a history of hypertension and presents with symptoms including shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling in the lower legs. Scans reveal that the left side of the heart is failing to pump blood effectively, and there is increased venous pressure.

Explain how the heart’s dysfunction leads to these symptoms, referring to the physiological mechanisms involved. (10 marks)

NOTE: Your discussion should cover:

• The affected structure of the circulatory system
• The role of the left ventricle in circulation and the consequences of its dysfunction
• How heart failure leads to the symptoms described

B. Ross, a 40-year-old patient, has persistent leg swelling, recurrent lower limb infections, and difficulty breathing when lying flat. Diagnostic imaging shows lymphatic obstruction and fluid buildup in the tissues. Ross has the same symptoms of fluid retention, swelling, and breathing difficulties as per Tim in part (A).

Explain how lymphatic obstruction can be differentiated from heart failure based on physiological mechanisms, diagnostic findings, and the clinical presentation. (10 marks)

NOTE: Your discussion should cover:

• Physiological differences between circulatory and lymphatic dysfunction
• Diagnostic tests and clinical signs that help distinguish between the two conditions
• Possible reason underlying the clinical presentation of swelling