Cell Physiology and Body Fluids (Lecture 3)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from cell physiology, body fluids, and membrane transport discussed in the lecture.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Fluid inside cells (cytoplasm); high in potassium, magnesium, hydrogen phosphate, and sulfate.

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Fluid outside the cells; includes interstitial fluid and intravascular fluid.

Interstitial Fluid

Fluid that surrounds cells but is not inside veins or vessels.

Intravascular Fluid

Fluid within the circulatory system (blood plasma and lymph).

Osmolality

Measure of solute concentration in a fluid; high osmolality means more solutes and influences water movement to maintain balance.

Electrolyte

Ions (cations and anions) such as Na+, K+, Cl−, Mg2+ essential for body processes; concentrations expressed as milliequivalents per liter.

Isotonic Solution

Fluid with osmolality similar to blood; causes no net water movement; example: 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline).

Hypotonic Solution

Lower osmolality than blood; water moves into cells, potentially causing swelling.

Hypertonic Solution

Higher osmolality than blood; water moves out of cells, causing shrinkage.

Diffusion

Movement of solute from high to low concentration; passive process that may involve solvents and solutes depending on the situation.

Facilitated Diffusion

Passive diffusion that uses membrane proteins (channels/carriers) to move substances across the membrane without energy.

Passive Diffusion

Movement of molecules across a membrane from high to low concentration without energy input.

Osmosis

Passive movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated solution; requires osmotic pressure.

Oncotic Pressure (COP)

Colloid osmotic pressure; pressure exerted by plasma proteins (e.g., albumin) pulling water into the blood from tissue space.

Albumin

Major plasma protein contributing to COP; decreased levels can lead to edema or ascites due to fluid shifting into tissues.

Crystalloid

IV fluid with small solutes that can cross vascular walls; isotonic, hypotonic, or hypertonic (example: lactated Ringer's or normal saline).

Colloid

IV fluid with large molecules suspended in isotonic crystalloid; too large to cross vascular walls; must be given IV to stay in vasculature.

Edema

Abnormal excess accumulation of fluid in tissues; can be pulmonary (lungs) or cutaneous (skin).

Ascites

Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity due to fluid balance disruption and often low plasma protein (albumin).

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Hormone released in response to high blood osmolality; promotes water reabsorption by kidneys, aiding osmoregulation.

Resuscitation Fluid Therapy

Fluids given to rapidly increase intravascular volume and blood pressure, e.g., in hypovolemic shock.

Replacement Fluid Therapy

Fluids given to correct dehydration and replace ongoing losses.

Maintenance Fluid Therapy

Isotonic crystalloids given at a maintenance rate to support hydration when the patient is not drinking.

Membrane Permeability

Property of membranes to be freely permeable, selectively permeable, or impermeable to substances.

Mitosis Phases

Phases of cell division: Prophase, Prometaphase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase (with cytokinesis occurring after).

DNA Replication Steps

Unwinding of DNA, priming of a template, elongation by DNA polymerase, proofreading, and ligation at replication forks.

Protein Synthesis Steps

Transcription of DNA to mRNA in the nucleus; Translation of mRNA to protein at ribosomes in the cytoplasm.