Tutor profile: Dalton S.

What white blood cell is responsible for controlling allergic reactions?

The white blood cell most commonly associated with allergies are basophils. While eosinophils can also contribute to allergic responses, basophils respond to foreign pathogens, or allergens, by producing histamines which increase capillary permeability and causes blood vessel dilation, increased heartbeat, itchy and watery eyes, and swelling and inflammation in the skin.

What is the difference between diabetes mellitus type I and type II?

Both forms of diabetes mellitus (or DM) deal with a failure to regulate blood sugar levels via the hormone called insulin. The types differ in the way insulin in the body is disregulated. DM type I comes from a failure of beta cells within the pancreases to produce insulin. This is mostly associated with childhood diabetes, since symptoms usually manifest during childhood. DM type II begins with a resistance of body cells to insulin, meaning the pancreas has to make more and more insulin until finally it's not able to produce enough to stimulate cells to take up sugar. This is usually due to excessive body weight, poor diet, and a lack of physical exercise.

What are the differences between a plant and animal cell?

Plant and animal cells have a lot in common since they are both eukaryotic cells, however there are several key differences. Plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall that keeps the cell in place and helps support it, which enables the plant cells to be larger than animal cells. In addition, plant cells have large compartments called vacuoles that store resources for long periods of time, just in case the paint needs it. Animal cells contain organelles referred to as lysosomes which have enzymes that digest large materials that come into the cell, while plant cells rarely, if ever, have them.