Cellular Functions and Pathophysiology Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive practice vocabulary flashcards covering cellular functions, components, tissue types, adaptation, and pathophysiology based on the NSG 811 lecture notes.

Pathophysiology

The systematic study of the functional changes in cells, tissues, and organs altered by disease and/or injury.

Differentiation

The process (also known as maturation) through which cells become specialized to perform specific functions.

Movement

A specialized cellular function where muscle cells generate forces that produce motion, such as limb movement.

Conductivity

A specialized cellular function characteristic of nerve cells that allows them to transmit electrical impulses.

Metabolic absorption

The ability of cells, specifically those in the intestine and kidney, to take in nutrients and other substances from their surroundings.

Secretion

The ability of certain cells, such as those in the adrenal gland, testis, and ovary, to produce and release hormonal steroids.

Excretion

A function where lysosomes containing enzymes break down large molecules into waste products that are released from the cell.

Respiration

The process where cells absorb oxygen to transform nutrients into energy in the form of $ATP$, occurring in the mitochondria.

Communication

A function that allows cells to signal one another to coordinate functions, such as pancreatic cells releasing insulin to signal muscle cells.

Plasma membrane

The cell's fortification that separates the interior of the cell from the outside environment and exerts influence on metabolic pathways.

Cytoplasm

The cell's environment; a fluid part enclosed by the membrane that contains the organelles.

Nucleus

The cell's brain, which contains most of the genetic material in the form of $DNA$.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

The cell's pipe system; smooth ER handles metabolic processes, while rough ER contains ribosomes for protein manufacturing.

Golgi apparatus

The cell's delivery center that tags vesicles and proteins to ensure they are carried to their correct destinations.

Centrosome

The cell's anchor that organizes and produces the microtubules of the cell's cytoskeleton.

Mitochondria

The cell's powerplant; these organelles produce energy ($ATP$) by breaking down carbohydrates and some lipids.

Ribosome

The cell's factories that translate $RNA$ into proteins.

Lysosome

The cell's stomach; vesicles filled with digestive proteins that break down substances into recyclable pieces.

Peroxisome

The cell's firemen; vesicles that defend or neutralize the cell from free radicals.

Cytoskeleton

The cell's shapeshifter; it modifies the cell's shape and ensures mechanical resistance to deformation.

Proteostasis

A state of cell balance concerning the processes of protein synthesis, folding, and degradation.

Extracellular matrix

A structure including collagen, elastin, and fibronectin that helps regulate cell growth and differentiation.

Basement membrane

Also called the basal lamina; a thin layer of connective tissue underlying the epithelium of many organs.

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs)

Cell surface proteins that bind to an adjacent cell and to components of the extracellular matrix.

Desmosomes

A type of cell junction that mediates the mechanical attachment of one cell to another.

Gap junctions

Protein channels that serve as communicating tunnels to directly coordinate the activities of adjacent cells.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that covers internal and external body surfaces and functions in protection, absorption, secretion, and excretion.

Connective tissue

Tissue that binds various tissues and organs together, providing support and serving as storage for excess nutrients.

Muscle tissue

Composed of myocytes; enables voluntary movement when attached to bones and involuntary movement in internal organs.

Neural tissue

Composed of neurons that receive and transmit electrical impulses rapidly across synapses.

Signal transduction

The process by which extracellular chemical messengers (ligands) convey instructions to the cell's interior for execution.

First messenger

An extracellular chemical messenger, such as a ligand, that binds to a membrane receptor to initiate a signal.

Second messenger

An intracellular messenger, such as $cAMP$ or $Ca^{++}$, that triggers a cascade of biochemical events within the cell.

G protein

An intermediary between a membrane receptor and enzymes like adenylyl cyclase or phospholipase C.

Anabolism

The energy-using process within cellular metabolism.

Catabolism

The energy-releasing process within cellular metabolism.

Passive transport

The movement of water and uncharged molecules through the membrane via osmosis, hydrostatic pressure, and diffusion without energy use.

Active transport

The movement of larger molecules or complexes into the cell that requires the expenditure of energy in the form of $ATP$.

Hydrostatic pressure

The mechanical force of water pushing against cellular membranes.

Phagocytosis

A type of endocytosis in which large particles, such as bacteria, are ingested through the formation of vacuoles.

Atrophy

A decrease in cellular size, commonly occurring in skeletal muscle, the heart, and the brain due to decreased workload or use.

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of cells caused by increased work demands or hormonal stimulation.

Hyperplasia

An increase in the number of cells caused by an increased rate of cellular division.

Dysplasia

Also known as atypical hyperplasia; an abnormal change in the size, shape, and organization of mature tissue cells.

Metaplasia

The reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another adult cell type that can better endure stress.

Interphase

The growth phase of the cell cycle where the cell prepares for division.

S phase

The synthesis phase of the cell cycle where $DNA$ is synthesized in the cell nucleus.

Necrosis

Cell death characterized by rapid loss of plasma membrane structure, organelle swelling, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Apoptosis

Regulated or programmed cell death characterized by the dropping off of cellular fragments called apoptotic bodies.

Frailty

A clinical syndrome in older adults associated with oxidative stress, malnutrition, and muscle changes, leaving one vulnerable to falls and disease.

Somatic death

Death of the entire organism, manifested by cessation of respiration and circulation, and signs like rigor mortis.

Rigor mortis

The postmortem stiffening of muscles occurring after somatic death.

Livor mortis

The postmortem discoloration of the skin following somatic death.