L-Fields tell Stem Cells where to go
E. W. Russell in Design for Destiny 1971 doesn’t mention stem cells because his book predates knowledge of stem cells I think, but I’ll check. In any case, he DOES describe the problems with evolution “theory” and the complexity of cells and organs and their formation and provides L-field theory as a way to explain how stem cells would “know” where to go. There is a chapter where he describes the dying molecule that’s being replaced as talking to the new molecule coming in to replace it and saying goodbye and good luck in the sewers.
Russell also cites authorities/writers in biology who make good arguments that pure chemistry cannot account for the complexity of life like the book “Human Destiny” by Dr. Pierre Lacompte de Noiiy. He cites G.D. Wasseran, a Britih mathematician says L-fiels or what he calls M-fields for mophogenetic , exists in latent form in space ready to enter a bound state. There are many other excellent cross references.
All of this is well worth the read to anyone in life-extension/anti-aging, even cryonics off all kinds, in chapter 3 First Clues, p. 39 of Design for Destiny which doesn’t appear to be in print anymore with the last available copies snatched by me from Amazon, though available in archive.org in digital form.
Rick to GG [to the reader, not GG-- I’m setting GG up here because I already have the L-field explanation which is more elegant and likely by the fact that GG’s complicated explanation is rather hilarious and increasingly unlikely as it goes on and on. It (GG) then divorces itself from it’s own answer saying that it’s own answer is inadequate. Here we go:
Rick to GG
List 10 human body organs and groups of cells that renew themselves naturally via stem cells and state the probably complete cycle of renewal by time in days.
GG
Okay, here are 10 human body organs or groups of cells that renew themselves naturally via stem cells, along with their approximate renewal cycles:
**Organ/Tissue** | **Renewal Cycle (Approximate)** | **Notes**
---|---|---|
1. **Skin (Epidermis)** | 45-75 days | Keratinocytes, the main cells of the epidermis, are constantly replaced. Time depends on age, location, and other factors.
2. **Red Blood Cells** | 100-120 days | Replaced by new cells from bone marrow.
3. **Small Intestine Lining** | 2-4 days | The cells lining the villi are constantly sloughed off and replaced.
4. **White Blood Cells (various types)** | Varies widely (hours to years) | Neutrophils last only 1-2 days, while lymphocytes have variable lifespans. Renewal cycle of a specific type of cell is relevant here.
5. **Platelets** | 7-10 days | Cell fragments that help in blood clotting.
6. **Hair** | Continual growth (cycles of growth, rest, and shedding) | Individual hairs have their own cycles, so there's no overall "renewal" time for all hair. Scalp hair growth averages 1-2 cm per month.
7. **Sperm** | 72 days | Produced continuously in the testes, but it takes around this long for a sperm cell to mature.
8. **Liver** | 300-500 days | Liver cells have very slow turnover and regeneration of the liver can occur throughout a lifetime but is significantly slower in older individuals.
9. **Taste Buds** | 10-14 days | Sensory receptor cells in the mouth.
10. **Lungs (Alveolar Cells)** | 8 days | The alveolar epithelial cells have a fast self-renewal capacity that is responsible for rapid recovery following acute lung injury.
**Important Considerations:**
* **Individual Variation:** Renewal rates can vary significantly from person to person depending on age, genetics, health status, and environmental factors.
* **Overlapping generations:** Cell renewal has overlapping generations meaning the number of days until all cells are replaced with stem cell-derived ones.
* **Stem Cell Location:** In each tissue, there are specific stem cell niches or locations where stem cells reside and generate new cells.
* **Regulation:** Renewal is tightly regulated by complex signaling pathways involving growth factors, hormones, and other molecules. Disruptions in these pathways can lead to diseases such as cancer.
* **Not Complete Replacement:** Some organs/tissues don't completely replace all cells within a given timeframe. For example, some cells in the heart and brain have very slow turnover rates and can last a lifetime.
* **Complex Processes:** Renewal is not just about creating new cells. It also involves cell death (apoptosis), differentiation (cells becoming specialized), and migration to the correct location within the tissue.
**Disclaimer:** This information is for general knowledge and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
Follow up question: When stem cells replace old cells, how do they know to install themselves exactly time for when the old cell leaves?
That's a fantastic question! The process of stem cells replacing old cells is highly orchestrated and relies on a complex interplay of signaling molecules, cellular communication, and programmed cell death (apoptosis). Here's a breakdown of how stem cells "know" when and where to replace old cells:
**1. Detection of Damage or Cell Death:**
* **Damage Signals:** When a cell is damaged or stressed, it releases various "danger signals" or alarmins. These signals can include things like:
* **ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate):** Released from damaged cells, ATP can act as a signaling molecule, attracting immune cells and stem cells.
* **HMGB1 (High-Mobility Group Box 1):** A DNA-binding protein that is released from damaged or dying cells and acts as an inflammatory signal.
* **Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS):** While often damaging, low levels of ROS can also act as signaling molecules.
* **Apoptotic Signals:** Cells undergoing programmed cell death (apoptosis) release specific "eat-me" signals that attract phagocytes (cells that engulf and remove cellular debris). One example is **phosphatidylserine** that is exposed on the outer surface of the cell membrane. Importantly, apoptosis doesn't trigger inflammation in the same way as necrosis (cell death due to injury), making it a clean way to signal for replacement.
* **Changes in the Extracellular Matrix (ECM):** The ECM surrounding cells can also change with age or damage. These changes can alter cell-ECM interactions, sending signals that influence stem cell behavior.
**2. Stem Cell Activation and Migration:**
* **Quiescence and Activation:** Many adult stem cells reside in a quiescent (dormant) state. The signals released by damaged or dying cells, or changes in the ECM, activate these stem cells.
* **Chemotaxis:** Activated stem cells respond to chemoattractant signals released from the damaged area. Chemotaxis is the directed movement of cells along a concentration gradient of a specific chemical. Examples of chemoattractants include growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines.
* **Niche Interactions:** Stem cells often reside in specialized microenvironments called "niches." These niches provide support and regulatory signals. Damage to the niche itself can also trigger stem cell activation and migration.
**3. Proliferation and Differentiation:**
* **Growth Factors:** Once at the site of damage, stem cells are exposed to a variety of growth factors (e.g., epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)). These growth factors stimulate cell division (proliferation) and differentiation.
* **Transcription Factors and Gene Expression:** Growth factors and other signals activate specific transcription factors within the stem cells. These transcription factors bind to DNA and regulate the expression of genes that control cell fate, leading the stem cell to differentiate into the appropriate cell type.
* **Cell-Cell Communication:** Neighboring cells also play a crucial role in guiding stem cell differentiation through direct cell-cell contact and paracrine signaling (release of signaling molecules that act on nearby cells).
**4. Integration and Function:**
* **Cell-Cell Adhesion:** The newly differentiated cells must integrate into the surrounding tissue. This involves the formation of specific cell-cell junctions (e.g., adherens junctions, tight junctions, gap junctions) and adhesion molecules that anchor the new cell to its neighbors.
* **ECM Interactions:** The new cells also interact with the ECM, which provides structural support and cues for proper function.
* **Functional Integration:** The new cells must now perform the functions of the cells they replaced. This requires the correct expression of genes encoding for specific proteins and the establishment of appropriate cellular pathways.
**Timing and Precision:**
The precise timing of stem cell replacement is critical and is governed by several factors:
* **Signal Strength and Duration:** The concentration and duration of the signals released from damaged or dying cells play a crucial role. A strong, sustained signal might indicate extensive damage, requiring a larger and more rapid stem cell response.
* **Feedback Loops:** Negative feedback loops help to regulate the stem cell response. For example, once the damaged tissue is repaired, the signals that activated the stem cells are reduced, slowing down or stopping further stem cell activity.
* **Cellular Clocks:** Cells have internal "clocks" that regulate the timing of various cellular processes, including division and differentiation. These clocks are influenced by both internal genetic programs and external environmental cues.
* **Niche Regulation:** The stem cell niche itself plays a crucial role in regulating the timing of stem cell activation and differentiation.
**In Summary:**
Stem cells don't just randomly replace old cells. They are carefully guided by a complex system of signals, communication, and internal programming that ensures the right cells are replaced at the right time and in the right place. This orchestrated process is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis, repairing damage, and ensuring the proper functioning of our bodies.
It's worth noting that the specific mechanisms involved in stem cell replacement vary depending on the tissue and the type of stem cell involved. The field of stem cell biology is constantly evolving, and researchers are continuing to uncover new details about how these remarkable cells function.
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