Cells, Tissues and Skin Review

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts related to cells, tissues, and skin, focusing on structure, function, and physiological processes.

What is the primary function of cellular organelles?

Cellular organelles perform specific functions that contribute to the overall operation and maintenance of the cell.

What are the four primary tissue types in the human body?

Epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue.

What does the plasma membrane do?

The plasma membrane serves as a selectively permeable barrier that regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell.

Define simple diffusion.

Simple diffusion is the movement of substances from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration without the aid of proteins.

What is osmosis?

Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration.

What is the significance of resting membrane potential?

Resting membrane potential is the voltage across the plasma membrane of a cell that allows for the generation of electrical signals in nerve and muscle cells.

What are the major functions of skin?

Skin functions include protection, sensation, temperature regulation, metabolic functions, and excretion.

How do cells repair themselves?

Cells repair themselves through a process involving inflammation, organization or proliferation, and maturation or remodeling.

What differentiates a hypertonic solution from a hypotonic solution?

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of impermeable solutes compared to the cell, resulting in cell shrinkage, while a hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of impermeable solutes, causing cell swelling.

What role do lysosomes play in a cell?

Lysosomes contain enzymes that digest biological material, including proteins and debris, and help recycle molecules.