Pathophysiology and Pharmacology Fundamentals

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular homeostasis, cellular adaptation, apoptosis vs. necrosis, and introductory principles of pharmacology based on lecture transcript notes.

Homeostasis

The process by which cells maintain internal balance and ordered physiology in order to survive.

Normal Plasma pH

The normal reference range for blood plasma pH in the human body, which is $7.35$ to $7.45$.

Normal Sodium Level

The normal reference range for sodium concentration in the human body, which is $135$ to $145$.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

A cellular transport mechanism that uses energy from ATP to pump $3$ sodium molecules out of the cell and $2$ potassium molecules in.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

The chemical energy currency produced in the mitochondria that is required for cellular functions such as muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and transport.

Aerobic Respiration

A cellular process requiring oxygen where glucose and oxygen produce carbon dioxide, water, and a high yield of ATP energy.

Anaerobic Respiration

A cellular process occurring in the absence of oxygen where glucose is converted into lactic acid, yielding a very small amount of ATP energy.

Oxygen Debt

The additional oxygen required after intense exercise to break down toxic lactic acid accumulated during anaerobic respiration.

Atrophy

A cellular adaptation in which cells decrease in size.

Hypertrophy

A cellular adaptation in which cells increase in size, such as muscle growth from weight lifting.

Dysplasia

A cellular adaptation where cells undergo changes in size, shape, and organization, often as a result of cellular damage.

Metaplasia

A cellular adaptation where mature cells are replaced by another cell type.

Hypoxia

A state of cellular injury caused by a lack of oxygen, often linked to impaired respiration or inadequate blood circulation.

Ischemia

Reduced arterial blood flow to tissues leading to oxygen deprivation and impaired ATP production.

Apoptosis

An energy-dependent, programmed cell death process in which cells shrink, DNA condenses, and intact membranes form apoptotic bodies that are phagocytosed without triggering inflammation.

Necrosis

An unprogrammed cell death process resulting from injury or pathogens, characterized by organelle swelling, cell membrane rupture, content leakage, and inflammation.

Generic Name

The nonproprietary, official name of a medication (e.g., acetaminophen) that is typically less expensive than its brand name counterpart.

Brand Name

The trademarked, proprietary name assigned to a drug by its manufacturing company (e.g., Tylenol).

Controlled Substances

Medications regulated by the government and FDA due to their high potential for abuse and dependency.

Expected Pharmacological Action

The specific physiological or biochemical response that a drug is designed to produce in the body.

Therapeutic Use

The specific clinical outcome or condition that a medication is intended to treat in a patient.

Adverse Drug Reaction

An unintended, unexpected, and harmful response to a medication occurring at standard therapeutic doses.

Side Effect

A predictable secondary effect of a drug that is documented during clinical trials (e.g., drowsiness from Benadryl).

Idiosyncratic Reaction

An unpredictable and rare response to a drug that differs from expected outcomes.

Tolerance

A reduced response to a drug following long-term, repeated use, requiring higher dosages to produce the desired therapeutic effect.

Cumulative Effect

An increased drug response occurring when the body cannot metabolize or excrete a drug efficiently, such as in patients with kidney damage.

Toxicity

A severe harmful effect caused by excessive levels of a drug in the body, which can be acute or chronic.