When you scrape your knee, your body initiates a healing process through several key steps:
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Cell Signals: Damaged cells and nearby tissues send out signals for help.
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Turning on Genes: These signals activate specific genes, like switching on lights to produce healing proteins.
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Making mRNA: Activated genes are copied into messenger RNA (mRNA), which serves as instructions for protein production.
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Building Healing Proteins: mRNA exits the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm, where ribosomes translate it into proteins essential for healing, such as collagen and enzymes that reduce swelling.
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How Proteins Help: These proteins repair tissue, decrease inflammation, and prevent infection, ultimately aiding in the recovery of your skin.
In essence, gene expression and protein synthesis are vital for healing a scraped knee.