Altered Cell Function

Question 1

What are the causes of cellular injury? (6)

Answer 1

Hypoxia (lack of oxygen).
Nutritional imbalances.
Chemical agents (alter permeability).
Physical agents (thermic, pressure, trauma).
Infectious agents (toxins).
Genetic cause (metabolism errors).

Question 2

What are free radicals/reactive oxygen species? And how are they able to cause cellular injury?

Answer 2

An electrically uncharged atom with an unpaired electron. Cause damage via lipid peroxidation, alteration of proteins/DNA, mitochondrial oxidative stress.

Question 3

How is calcium and mitochondria linked?

Answer 3

Calcium homeostasis is important as calcium can activate destructive enzymes in a mitochondria. This results in mitochondrion damage & ultimately less ATP production.

Question 4

What is the difference between apoptosis and necrosis?

Answer 4

Apoptosis - Programmed cell death.

Necrosis - cell death result of injury.

Question 5

What are the types of necrosis?

Answer 5

Coagulative, liquefactive, caseous, fat, gangrenous.