Write an essay about the cell membrane
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Essay: The Cell Membrane – Gateway to Cellular Function
The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a vital structure that plays a crucial role in the functioning of all living cells. This semipermeable barrier acts as a gateway, regulating the passage of substances in and out of the cell while maintaining cellular integrity. The composition, structure, and functions of the cell membrane are essential for cellular homeostasis and proper physiological processes.
Composition and Structure of the Cell Membrane
The cell membrane is primarily composed of a phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules with hydrophilic heads facing outward towards the aqueous environment and hydrophobic tails facing inward, creating a selective barrier. Proteins within the membrane serve diverse functions, including transport of molecules, cell signaling, and structural support. Cholesterol molecules are interspersed within the lipid bilayer, contributing to membrane stability and fluidity. Carbohydrates attached to proteins and lipids form glycoproteins and glycolipids, playing roles in cell recognition and communication.
Functions of the Cell Membrane
1. Selective Permeability:
The cell membrane exhibits selective permeability, allowing the passage of specific molecules while restricting the entry of others. Small, non-polar molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide can diffuse freely across the membrane, while larger or polar molecules require transport proteins for facilitated diffusion or active transport.
2. Cellular Communication:
Proteins on the cell membrane act as receptors for signaling molecules, hormones, and neurotransmitters. Binding of these ligands to specific receptors initiates intracellular signaling cascades that regulate various cellular processes such as gene expression, metabolism, and cell growth.
3. Cell Adhesion and Recognition:
Cell adhesion molecules on the membrane facilitate cell-cell interactions and adherence to extracellular matrix components. These interactions are crucial for tissue organization, immune response, and embryonic development. Carbohydrate residues on the membrane play a role in cell recognition and immune response modulation.
4. Transport of Molecules:
Integral membrane proteins function as transporters, channels, or pumps that facilitate the movement of ions, nutrients, and waste products across the membrane. Active transport mechanisms require energy expenditure to move molecules against their concentration gradient, maintaining cellular ion balance and homeostasis.
Role of the Cell Membrane in Cellular Function
The integrity and functionality of the cell membrane are essential for cellular survival and physiological processes. Disruption of the membrane structure or function can lead to cellular dysfunction, disease states, and even cell death. The cell membrane acts as a protective barrier against external threats, regulates cellular communication and signaling, and ensures proper transport of essential molecules for metabolic processes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cell membrane is a dynamic and multifunctional structure that serves as the cornerstone of cellular biology. Its composition, structure, and functions are intricately involved in maintaining cell homeostasis, communication, and transport processes. Understanding the significance of the cell membrane in cellular function is fundamental to unraveling the complexities of biological systems and advancing our knowledge of life processes at the molecular level. By serving as the gatekeeper of the cell, the membrane embodies the interconnectedness of living organisms with their environment and underscores the importance of cellular membranes in sustaining life itself.
