Help settling dispute

[TallScrubs]

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Hello all, I wanted to pose a question for all of you to help settle a dispute between a fellow class member and myself.



.What would be the effects of a congenital defect in which a child was born without a.) a thymus; b.) a spleen; c.) macrophages ? Which do you think would have the most severe consequences, and why?.


One of us said the lack of thymus would be most costly, the other said macrophages...what do you guys think?
..

 

[cbrons]

Hello all, I wanted to pose a question for all of you to help settle a dispute between a fellow class member and myself.



.What would be the effects of a congenital defect in which a child was born without a.) a thymus; b.) a spleen; c.) macrophages ? Which do you think would have the most severe consequences, and why?.


One of us said the lack of thymus would be most costly, the other said macrophages...what do you guys think?

No Thymus = inability to produce T-lymphocytes. Adaptive immune system? ****ed.

No spleen = inability to recycle iron, destroy dead/old RBCs, and I'm pretty sure some other functions... spleen holds reserve blood and performs certain immune functions

no macrophages = lots of bad **** would happen. Can't phagocytize cellular debris in certain areas of the body, I'm sure much worse stuff.

This seems like a question from undergrad. biology so I felt like I could chime in but I'm sure these medical students can add a lot more.

 

[TallScrubs]

it's actually ugrad immunology.

 

[J-Rad]

Try Googling "congenital..." "...absence of thymus", "...asplenia", and "macrophage defect". You'd find that one probably stands out from an immune standpoint and all three can have significant non-immune issues. And do your own homework.

 

[TallScrubs]

Try Googling "congenital..." "...absence of thymus", "...asplenia", and "macrophage defect". You'd find that one probably stands out from an immune standpoint and all three can have significant non-immune issues. And do your own homework.

Thank you for the help

 

[bigDinLV]

If it is an essay type question it sounds like they just want to see your understanding of each thing.

Hope you did well.

 

[Luv2Cut]

Ha ha. This is funny. Reminds me of a time a couple of my classmates were arguing about calcium metabolism during 2nd year. We had a breakout study room and thats all they argued about all evening (we studied together and pimped each other all the time). They carried this on for a couple of days.

I got used to hearing from both of them for months this phrase, "ACTUALLYA its works like this...." or "Hmm your half right, ACTUALLY..."

Both those guys are ER docs now and they didn't remember argueing about it.