Key Concepts from Burn Patient Care and Cell Biology

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and key concepts related to burn patient care and the biology of cells as discussed in the lecture.

Burn Patient Risks

The two biggest concerns for burn patients are infection and dehydration.

Functions of Skin

The skin serves as protection against water loss and infection.

Wound Healing Process

Involves growth factors produced by damaged cells and plasma, which bind to receptors and activate signaling pathways.

Cell Signaling Pathways

Mechanisms such as G proteins and cyclic AMP are involved in signal transduction in cells.

Transcription Factor Role in Healing

Transcription factors bind to DNA and change patterns of transcription during the wound healing process.

Cancer Cell Behavior

Cancer cells can exhibit similar behavioral changes to normal cells responding to injury, such as increased motility and dividing uncontrollably.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from their original location to other parts of the body.

Types of Skin Cancer

The three main types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

Eccrine Sweat Glands

These glands are responsible for sweating primarily when the body is hot.

Apocrine Sweat Glands

Mostly located in armpits and inguinal areas; these glands produce sweat when a person is nervous.

Keratin Function

Keratin makes the epidermis of skin tougher and more resistant to abrasion.

Melanin Role

Melanin protects the skin against ultraviolet radiation.

Signs of Dehydration

When skin pinching does not return quickly to its original state, it may indicate dehydration.

Cell Cycle Checkpoints

Normal cells have checkpoints during mitosis to ensure DNA is replicated and chromosomes are properly aligned; cancer cells often bypass these checkpoints.

Apoptosis

A process where normal cells undergo programmed cell death if they cannot fix detected issues during the cell cycle.

Key Hormone for Calcium Balance

Vitamin D is essential for calcium homeostasis and bone strength.

Negative Feedback Loop

A process that returns a system to its set point, such as glucose regulation by insulin.

Positive Feedback Loop

A process that amplifies changes or moves a system away from its set point, such as during childbirth.