A disease process can be explained at molecular, cellular, histological, organ, and organ system levels. In this biological hierarchy, the cellular and molecular processes contribute significantly to the development of disease at the advanced macroscopic levels. The role of the immune system must be considered when describing disease processes because immunity is the custodian of biological wellness at the cellular level. This paper aims to describe the association between the cellular processes and the genetic environment in normal bio-physiological processes and their interactions with the immune system in disease states.
Most cells in the human body communicate, grow and multiply in a well-organized fashion to contribute to the proper functioning of the tissues, organs, and organ systems. Cells communicate with each other through molecules and second messenger molecules within the cells. This communication enables the cells to respond to noxious stimuli and initiate death when programmed. Additionally, this communication also enables the cells to maintain a balanced internal and external homeostasis and regulate their growth.
At the genetic level, these cells depend greatly on the master information and commands from the nucleic material from the nucleus and ribosomes to control cellular processes. How the cells react and normal and abnormal communication and growth depend on their genetic makeup. The role of mitochondria is vital in maintaining growth, metabolism, and cell death (Birsoy & Sancak, 2019). Cell division and energy production utilization require normal mitochondrial functioning
Genetic and epigenetic processes within the cell control the cellular processes. The cellular nucleus transcribes genetic information into the DNA through replication, after which the ribosomes will use this information to make proteins for intracellular and intercellular communication, growth, and multiplication. Therefore, alteration in the processes of gene transcription, DNA translation, and protein synthesis can cause ineffective communication, uncontrolled growth and multiplication, or even cell death. This can be explained by the impact of gene mutations on cancers and autoimmune diseases (Kumar et al., 2021). These genetic alterations and mutations can arise from the external environment through chemicals that interfere with the gene patterns, leading to wrong communication and disordered growth.
Genetics plays an important role in the disease process because it will determine how the cell prepares for defense against disease or responds when these disease states occur. Faulty genetic sequences can be transcribed and translated to pathogenic proteins. The role of genetics in disease processes can be multifaceted in that genetic mutations, genetic susceptibility, and variations in genetic expressions can be implicated in various diseases. Ultimately, it all narrows down the gene transcription and translations to control communication growth and response to disease.
The basic units of life are the cells; thus, they are fundamental in disease states. At the cellular level, abnormalities in communications and signaling, disordered growth patterns, disruption of normal cellular metabolisms and respiration, and inadequate defense against noxious stimuli and damage are pathogenetic processes that lead to disease (McCance & Huether, 2019). The involvement of more cells leads to tissue pathology, which leads to organ damage and systemic disease when the damage advances. The central role in this cascade is attributed to the cells’ abilities to control and maintain their normal physiologic processes, as described earlier.
Derangements in the aforementioned processes lead to altered physiology. Cellular structure, gene expression, protein activity, and cell metabolism constitute the key physiological processes that maintain cellular and multisystem functioning (Birsoy & Sancak, 2019). Damage to cellular physical structure leads to poor communication and cellular response to the damage that constitutes the disease process. Faulty gene expression can lead to uncooled cell growth, as seen with cancers and benign neoplasms (Mbemi et al., 2020). Altered cell metabolisms lead to cell death through programmed (apoptosis) and non-programmed (necrosis) cell death deaths.
When the immune cells fail to distinguish between the pathogen and host cells, it may attack the host cells, leading to autoimmune disorders. The immune system can also respond aggressivel
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