[02] Biophysical Properties of Cells and Tissues Flashcards
What are biophysical properties in the context of cells and tissues?
They are properties related to the physical characteristics and behaviors of cells and tissues, such as electrical conductivity, mechanical stiffness, and thermal properties.
What does electrical conductivity refer to in cellular biophysics?
It refers to how well a cell or tissue can transmit electrical signals.
Define “mechanical stiffness” in the context of cells and tissues.
It is the degree to which a cell or tissue resists deformation in response to an applied force.
How does thermal properties relate to cells and tissues in biophysics?
It refers to how cells and tissues respond to changes in temperature, including heat production and dissipation.
Why are biophysical properties of cells and tissues important?
Understanding these properties can provide insights into cell function, health, and responses to external forces or stimuli.
What techniques are used to measure the biophysical properties of cells and tissues?
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) 2. Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) 3. Thermal imaging
Define “Atomic force microscopy (AFM)”.
It is a type of scanning probe microscopy that provides a 3D profile of a surface at the nanoscale, used to measure mechanical properties of cells.
What is Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)?
It is a measurement technique that characterizes a cell or tissue’s ability to impede electrical current, used to study cellular responses.
How does thermal imaging contribute to the study of biophysical properties?
It measures heat produced by cells and tissues, providing insights into metabolic activity and response to environmental changes.
What role do these biophysical properties play in understanding diseases?
Changes in these properties can indicate disease or injury, helping in diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression.
How do biophysical properties relate to drug testing?
Drugs can affect biophysical properties of cells, so studying these changes can help assess drug efficacy and safety.
Why is the study of cell membrane biophysics important?
It helps in understanding how cells interact with their environment and respond to signals.
What biophysical properties might a cancer cell exhibit?
They might show altered electrical properties, increased stiffness, or altered thermal properties due to increased metabolic activity.
How do mechanical properties of cells contribute to our understanding of cell behavior?
They can provide insights into cell migration, division, and interactions with their environment.
Why is understanding the biophysical properties of tissues important in regenerative medicine?
It can guide the design of scaffolds and other materials to promote tissue regeneration and healing.
How do biophysical properties contribute to our understanding of the nervous system?
Neurons transmit information via electrical signals, so studying their electrical properties is critical to understanding how they function.
What is an example of a technique used to study the biophysical properties of cells?
Patch-clamp technique, used to study ion channels in cell membranes, is one example.
How does biophysics contribute to our understanding of heart function?
The heart’s function relies on electrical signals and mechanical forces, so studying these biophysical properties is key to understanding heart function and disease.
What is the relationship between biophysics and tissue engineering?
Understanding the biophysical properties of tissues can guide the design of engineered tissues that mimic the function of natural tissues.
