Level A1 – BeginnerCEFR A1
2 min
71 words
- Scientists study cells in tissues.
- They study why fibrosis can start suddenly.
- Fibrosis is too much scarring in organs.
- Groups of cells can switch from healthy to sick fast.
- A mechanical tipping point makes the switch happen.
- The switch depends on how far cells are apart.
- Collagen fibers help send force signals between cells.
- More collagen crosslinking makes cells activate and stiffen tissue.
- This change is like water freezing to ice.
Difficult words
- fibrosis — a disease with too much scar tissue in organs
- scarring — thick tissue that forms after an injury
- tissue — a group of cells in a body parttissues
- collagen — a protein that makes body tissue strong
- activate — to make cells start working or change
- stiffen — to become harder or less flexible
- tipping point — the moment when a small change causes a big switch
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Discussion questions
- Do you have a scar?
- Have you learned about cells at school?
- Do you know when water freezes to ice?
