Regeneration

The process of regeneration differs in organisms. It is different in the case of a plant than that of an animal. There are various types to it. It can be explained through a regeneration simple definition and a regeneration ts diagram.

Regeneration Simple Definition

In simple words, the auto-healing process of the body can be called regeneration. Scientifically speaking, the natural process by which the body of an organism replaces or repairs damaged tissue, cell, organ, and a separate body part as a whole, is called regeneration. In other words, re-growing of a lost body part or repairing of injured cells or tissues can be termed as regeneration.

Types of Regeneration

Regeneration is of two types:

• Reparative 
• Restorative

If Regeneration is broadly categorized based on the cell mechanisms, then the two main types of Regeneration are:

Morphallaxis

Morphallaxis is a restorative type of Regeneration. Morphallaxis happens when an organism loses a body part. The body with the process of Morphallaxis restores new tissues from the remaining tissue. This process does not involve any kind of cell proliferation. The perfect example for Morphallaxis regeneration would be Hydra. If a hydra is cut into two pieces, then individual pieces will grow on their own into a new hydra smaller in size than the parental hydra. After the process of Regeneration is complete, both the smaller hydra will start growing on their own to the original size like that of the parental Hydra.

Epimorphosis

Epimorphosis is a reparative type of Regeneration.This kind of Regeneration involves active cell proliferation. In this process, the older cells and neurons get repaired by new cells or neurons. This happens by the proliferation of the existing stem cell or progenitor cell.  An example of epimorphosis type of regeneration is Planarian, a type of flatworm. 

When any site of their body is injured, a group of pre-existing cells which are called the neoblasts, proliferate and move towards the injured site of the body and repair the damaged cells at the injured site. This group of cells that moved towards the injured site forms a mass of proliferating cells which are called Regeneration Blastema. This Regeneration Blastema is the specialized structure that forms the regenerative structure at the injured site.

Which Organisms can regenerate?

Mainly three types of organisms can Regenerate namely; Plants, Animals, and Human Beings. It is a very prominent process in animals like starfish, echinoderms, amphibians, reptiles, etc. Animals like starfish can regrow a lost arm. 

Regeneration in Plants

Regeneration in plants is the main reason behind plant tissue culture.Organogenesis (formation of organs) and embryogenesis (when a somatic cell (xylem, phloem) transforms into an embryonic stem cell.Plant Regeneration through the process of somatic embryogenesis plays a huge role in agricultural biotechnology.

Sometimes we see that when a part or suppose a branch of a plant is cut down. A few days later small sprouts come out of the portion which has been cut down. This is the result of organogenesis. On the other hand, we often see that in many plants, if the branch is cut down and that branch is planted on the soil, a few days later roots will grow out, forming into a new plant itself. This is a perfect example of somatic embryogenesis.

Regeneration in Hydra

Hydra remains to be one of the best examples of Regeneration in ages. Regeneration in hydra is mainly restorative regeneration. If a hydra is cut into two pieces from the middle after a few days, then the two separate pieces will start growing on their own. The new hydra will be smaller in size than the original parental hydra. With passing time, the hydra will draw nutrients and grow up to the size of a full-grown hydra. 

Regeneration in Human Beings 

Regeneration is a common process in human beings. Both types of Regeneration that are restorative and reparative regeneration take place in the human body. If a part of the human liver is cut down, within a period the part of the liver which was cut down will start to grow and then eventually develop into a fully grown liver. This is a restorative type of Regeneration in Human Beings.

We see that our dear skin cells are replaced by new skin cells, this is an example of reparative regeneration. This process of Regeneration keeps us looking at you with wrinkle-less skin. When the regenerating power of the body decreases the body starts growing old with wrinkles, folds, and spots on the skin. 

Another importance of Regeneration can be, if you have a cut on your knee, blood will come out of the wound, and then eventually white liquid substance will ooze out of the wound. After a few days, the wounded area will dry up and finally, the wound will be invisible. This process is possible because of the body’s Regenerating power. The main reason behind this power is WBCs that are White Blood Cells. These cells carry out different types of cell reparative processes in the body.

Conclusion

It is very much evident that Regeneration plays a huge role in the repairing and restoring of body cells, tissues, organs of the organism.  If the process of Regeneration stops in human beings it becomes difficult for them to heal from any wounds and the chances of an infection increase.