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HUP3011 Human Pathology > Cell Adaptation > Flashcards

Cell Adaptation Flashcards

1
Q

Define cellular adaptation

A

In response to physiological or pathological stimuli, cells adapt by modifying metabolism (show new steady state) or growth pattern (show structural changes) to better equip them for survival

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2
Q

What are the three classes of cells once maturity is attained?

A
  1. Labile cells
  2. Stable cells
  3. Permanent cells
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3
Q

Define labile cells

A

Constantly divide to replenish those that are constantly lost
Short lifespan
High mitotic rate

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4
Q

Examples of labile cells

A

skin, mucous membranes, bone marrow, lymph nodes

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5
Q

Define stable cells

A

Able to divide, but will only do so occasionally
Long Lifespan
Low mitotic rate
These cells need to be specially stimulated to divide

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6
Q

Examples of stable cells

A

liver, kidney, glands, smooth muscle

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7
Q

Define permanent cells

A 
Have lost the ability to divide
Cells need to be maintained for life
Cells are lost progressively
Not replaced by regeneration
No/Little mitotic activity
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8
Q

Examples of permanent cells

A

Neurones, cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle

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9
Q

Striated muscle in an adult is an example of which cell type?

A

Permanent cells

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10
Q

What does increased cellular activity mean in terms of cellular adaptations?

A

Increase in size or number of cells

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11
Q

What does decreased cellular activity mean in terms of cellular adaptations?

A

Decrease in size or number of cells

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12
Q

What does alteration of cell morphology mean in terms of cellular adaptations?

A

Change in cell differentiation

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13
Q

What are the 11 types of growth variation?

A
  1. Hyperplasia
  2. Hypertrophy
  3. Atrophy
  4. Agenesis
  5. Aplasia
  6. Hypoplasia
  7. Metaplasia
  8. Dysplasia
  9. Hamartoma
  10. Choristoma
  11. Neoplasia
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14
Q

Define Hyperplasia

A

Hyperplasia is the increase in mass of an organ due to an increase in the number of its specialised constituent cells

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15
Q

Define physiological hyperplasia

A

Physiological: endometrium; pubertal/lactating breast

  • Hormonal: Growth factor dependent enlargement of striated muscle
  • Compensatory: remaining kidney after nephrectomy
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16
Q

Define pathological hyperplasia

A

Mainly due to altered hormones or growth factors

e. g. fibroadenosis of breast; prostate hyperplasia; thyroid hyperplasia
- Reactive: skin callous, lymph nodes/spleen after infection

17
Q

Define Hypertrophy

A

Hypertrophy is the increase in mass of an organ due to an increase in the size of its specialised cells

  • Skeletal muscle of athletes (physiological)
  • Heart muscle of hypertensive patients (pathological)
18
Q

Does smooth muscle undergo hyperplasia or hypertrophy?

A

It undergoes a mixture of both

19
Q

Define atrophy

A

Atrophy is the decrease in mass of an organ due to a decrease in the size and/or number of its specialised constituent cells

20
Q

What is the mechanism of atrophy?

A

APOPTOSIS

  • Increase in catabolism of cytoplasmic structural proteins (proteins link with ubiquitin and then degraded by a protease complex)
  • Removal of organelles by autophagy
21
Q

Define physiological atrophy and give some examples

A

INVOLUTION

  • Uterus after menopause/childbirth
  • Testes in old age
  • Thymus gland after childhood
22
Q

What are the 4 generalised pathological atrophy means and some examples?

A 
MALNUTRITION/STARVATION
- Kwashiorkor - protein deficiency
- Anorexia nervosa
MALIGNANT CACHEXIA
- Malignancy - tumours spread all over body
HYPOPITUITARISM
- Decreased growth hormone secretion
PROGERIA
- Increased ageing rate
23
Q

Define agenesis

A

Agenesis is the failure of an organ to develop at all from its primordia
- Complete failure to produce the embryonic cell mass destined to form an organ

24
Q

3 examples of agenesis

A 
ANENCEPHALY
- Lack of a cerebrum - fatal defect
AGENESIS OF KIDNEY
- unilateral or bilateral
AMELIA
- no limbs - thalidomide
25
Q

Define aplasia

A

Aplasia is a sudden cessation of growth leading to decreased mass of tissue and defective development of an organ
- Correctly formed embryonic mass fails to differentiate into a well developed organ

26
Q

Causes of aplasia

A
  • Drug therapy (chemotherapy)
  • Radiotherapy
  • Nuclear accidents
  • Nuclear bomb blasts
27
Q

What is thymus gland aplasia?

A

Occurs during childhood, depleted T-cells leading to immunodeficiency

28
Q

What is bone marrow aplasia?

A

Depleted blood cells, leading to aplastic anaemia

29
Q

Define hypoplasia

A

Hypoplasia is where tissues fail to attain full size (deficient growth) leading to decreased mass of tissue and incomplete development of an organ
- Organ-specific structures develop correctly, but are abnormally small and not fully functional

30
Q

What are 2 examples of hypoplasia

A

CRYPTOCHIDISM
- Maldescended testes causing sterility
MICROCEPHALY
- Hypoplasia of the brain - neurological deficit

31
Q

Define metaplasia

A

Metaplasia is where a fully differentiated adult cell changes into another more resilient, but less specialised, fully differentiated adult cell type in response to chronic injury

32
Q

What are 3 examples of metaplasia

A

SMOKERS AIRWAY - CIGARETTES
- Normal respiratory epithelium changes to stratified squamous epithelium
GALL BLADDER - GALL STONES
- Normal columnar epithelium changes to stratified squamous epithelium
URINARY BLADDER - URINARY CALCULI
- Normal transitional epithelium changes to stratified squamous epithelium

33
Q

Define dysplasia

A

Dysplasia is abnormal growth and differentiation with loss of regularity of cells, loss of normal orientation and relationship to one another, i.e. abnormal tissue organisation
- Dysplasia leads to a disordered, atypical, defective growth with a compromised function

34
Q

What are 3 causes of dysplasia

A 
ORAL CAVITY
- Smoking, ill-fitting dentures, diet
SMOKERS AIRWAY
- cigarettes
CERVIS OF UTERUS
- HPV and HSV II infection
35
Q

Define hamartoma

A

A hamartoma is a focal overgrowth of normal cells in a tissue in which these cells are usually present

36
Q

Define choristoma (ectopia)

A

A choristoma is a focal overgrowth of normal cells found in a tissue in which these cells are NOT usually present

37
Q

What is Meckel’s diverticulum?

A

It is a choristoma
It occurs in 2-3% of the population
2-3 cm blind pouch in the ileum; 20-30 cm from the ileocaecal valve
A persistence of the omphalomesenteric duct
Wall has gastric and pancreatic choristoma

38
Q

Define neoplasia

A

Neoplasia is the process which leads to the formation of an abnormal, uncontrolled new growth of tissue, which has no coordinated useful function in the body

  • The abnormal mass is called a neoplasm (tumour)
  • The study of neoplasia is termed oncology

HUP3011 Human Pathology (2 decks)

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