Skin Color and Cancer in Zombies: A Pathophysiological Analysis

Skin Color as a Diagnostic Clue

We could argue that it is the first organ to undergo decomposition. Given what you know about blood flow in the integument, why might this be? Skin Color as a Diagnostic Clue The color of skin and mucous membranes can provide clues for diagnosing certain conditions. The skin signs we talked about in class were pallor, cyanosis, jaundice, and erythema.

Explain what each of these signs might indicate clinically and why. What “diagnostic clues” might a zombie exhibit and why? Skin Cancer Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes virtually all of the one million cases of skin cancer diagnosed annually in the United States. One-half of all cancers in the United States are skin cancers. There are three common forms of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinomas account for about 78% of all skin cancers.

The tumors arise from cells in the stratum basale of the epidermis and rarely metastasize. Squamous cell carcinomas, which account for about 20% of all skin cancers, arise from the stratum spinosum of the epidermis, and they have a variable tendency to metastasize. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are together known as nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Malignant melanomas, the most dangerous, arise from melanocytes and account for about 2% of all skin cancers What is cancer? Can a zombie have skin cancer? Why or why not? Chapter 10 & 12 – Muscular & Nervous Systems Zombies’ movements are usually stiff and lumbering. We will address the lack of coordination (lumbering) in chapter 14 (The Brain).

Below are some items to consider when addressing the spastic/rigid characteristics of skeletal muscle pathophysiology. Rigor Mortis (found in chapter 10) After death, cellular membranes become leaky.

Calcium ions leak out of the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the sarcoplasm. Given what you know about cross-bridge formation and detachment, how does this contribute to the rigidity of the zombie skeletal muscle?

Hypotonia and Hypertonia (found in chapter 10) Hypotonia refers to decreased or lost muscle tone. Such muscles are said to be flaccid. Certain disorders of the nervous system and disruptions in the balance of electrolytes may result in flaccid paralysis, which is characterized by loss of muscle tone, loss or reduction of tendon reflexes, and atrophy (wasting away) and degeneration of muscles. Hypertonia refers to increased muscle tone and is expressed in two ways: spasticity or rigidity.

Certain disorders of the nervous system and electrolyte disturbances such as those previously noted may result in this condition. Given what you know about the balance of electrolytes (sodium, calcium, and potassium) in the skeletal muscle fiber, would a zombie exhibit hypotonia or hypertonia? What would be the role of the events at the neuromuscular junction in this pathology?

Excitotoxicity (found in chapter 12) Glutamate is and excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. It causes excitatory post-synaptic potentials. A high level of glutamate in the interstitial fluid of the CNS causes excitotoxicity—destruction of neurons through prolonged activation of excitatory synaptic transmission.

The most common cause of excitotoxicity is oxygen deprivation of the brain due to ischemia (inadequate blood flow), as happens during a stroke. What is excitotoxicity? What is the most common cause of excitotoxicity? Does excitotoxicity contribute to the spastic/rigid movements of the zombie?

10 points each for a total of 60 points Recap of the Unit prompt:

1 point Normal physiology of the system (how is it supposed to work?) 

3 points Pathophysiology of the imbalance (what goes wrong?) 

3 points Can the zombie have this condition? 

3 points Why or why not?