Cell physiology Flashcards
What is intracellular fluid?
water in the animal that is found inside the cell
What is extracellular fluid?
fluid outside the cell
What is interstitial fluid?
extracellular fluid specifically found in tissues
What are positively charged ions called?
cations
What are negatively charged ions called?
anions
Anions and cations are capable of conducting electrical current in solution so they are called…?
electrolytes All ions are called electrolytes
Acid and bases are also electrolytes because they can dissociate in water and can conduct an electrical pulse.
Acids are molecules that release protons and are called…
proton donors
Bases release hydroxyl ions, which readily bind to free hydrogen ions (protons) so they are called…
proton receivers
What two things happen when hydroxyl anion and a hydrogen cation unite?
water is formed and the acidity of the solution is reduced.
The more free protons or hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution, the greater is its __________?
Acidity
The greater the concentration of hydroxyl ions, the more ______ or _____ the solution becomes.
basic or alkaline
Tissue fluids are loaded with…?
electrolytes, fatty acids, vitamins, amino acids, regulatory hormones, and dissolved gasses
The cell membrane is generally considered to be ________ because it allows some molecules to pass through, but not others.
selectively permeable
In addition, the cell membrane may be impermeable to some substances and freely permeable to others
What is the concentration gradient?
the spectrum between the most concentrated region and the area that is least filled with molecules
Diffusion can be defined as …?
the process of moving down the concentration gradient (as molecules move from an area of high concentration to a region of low concentration they are said to be moving down the concentration gradient) Example: placing a drop of lemon in your tea - the drop spreads out until evenly distributed
What does the rate of diffusion depend on?
the temperture - diffusion occurs faster in a hot liquid than in a cold liquid
What determines whether or not a molecule may pass through the cell membrane by passive diffusion?
- Molecular size (water passes but glucose cannot)
- Lipid solubility (alcohol, steroids, and gases)
- molecular charge (channels selectively allow certain ions to pass - ex: chloride channels only permit chloride ions to pass)
What is facilitated diffusion?
the diffusion of some large molecules and non-lipid soluble molecules across the cell membrane with the assistance of an integral protein or carrier protein that is located in the bilayer. Requires no energy or ATP Example: movement of glucose into the cell
Facilitated diffusion can limited… how?
by the number of carrier proteins that are available
Hormones such as insulin, plays an important role in controlling the activity of the glucose-specific carrier proteins and can act on them to speed up their rate of transport.
What is Osmosis?
the passive movement of water through a semipermeable membrane into a solution in which the water concentration is lower (water seeks to dilute; it will go to the concentrated area to dilute it - higher concentration in the blood, water will leave to go to the blood
What is a concentration balance or equilibrium?
when the movement of water occurs to achieve the same concentration of solution on both sides of a semipermeable membrane
What is osmotic pressure?
the force of water moving from one side to the other
True or False Osmosis occurs in the opposite direction of diffusion and in osmosis the water, not the solute is moving.
True
True or False Osmosis requires a selective membrane, whereas diffusion does not.
True
When the extracellular fluid has the same concentration as the intracellular fluid it is called?
isotonic
If the extracellular fluid is _________, however, the inside of the cell is more concentrated than the outside (water flows into the cell and causes it to swell and possibly burst?
hypotonic
If the extracellular fluid is ____________ and more concentrated than the cytoplasm, water is excreted into the extracellular space, causing the cell to shrink and become shriveled.
hypertonic
The difference between the osmotic pressure of blood and the osmotic pressure of interstitial fluid or lymph is called the _______________.
oncotic pressure
What is subcutaneous edema?
when fluid leaks into the tissue under the skin
What is it called when fluid leaks into the abdomen?
ascites
Filtration is based on a ____________ gradient.
pressure
In filtration, what is the force that pushes a liquid?
hydrostatic pressure
EX: blood pressure - pressure generated by pumping heart
One of the best examples of filtration in animals is evident in the kidney - pushing fluid through, filtering it in the kidneys (water will go through)
Where is most of the water in animals found?
Most of the water in animals is found inside the cell and is called intracellular fluid.
What is diffusion? Is it an active or a passive membrane process?
Diffusion can be defined as the process of moving down the concentration gradient from an area of high concentration to a region of low concentration. Diffusion is a passive membrane process.
What molecules are more likely to diffuse into a cell? What three principles are involved?
Water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide are more likely to diffuse into a cell. The three principles involved are:
1. Molecular size: Very small molecules like water (H2O) may pass through cellular membrane pores (approximately 0.8 nm in diameter), but larger molecules like glucose cannot. 2. Lipid solubility: Lipid-soluble molecules (e.g., alcohol and steroids) and dissolved gases (e.g., oxygen [O2] and carbon dioxide [CO2]) can pass through the lipid bilayer with ease, whereas other molecules may not. 3. Molecular charge: Ions are small in size, but their charge prevents easy passage through the membrane pores. Specialized pores called channels selectively allow certain ions to pass through but not others.
How is facilitated diffusion different from simple diffusion? What is the limiting factor in the rate of facilitated diffusion?
Facilitated diffusion requires the assistance of an integral protein or carrier protein located in the bilayer. Small, lipid-soluble molecules, can pass through the cell membrane via simple diffusion. The limiting factor in the rate of facilitated diffusion is the number of available carrier proteins.
What effect does a hypotonic solution have on a cell? What passive membrane process causes this effect?
If the extracellular fluid is hypotonic, the inside of the cell is more concentrated than the outside. In this scenario, water flows into the cell and causes it to swell and possibly burst. This effect is due to the process known as osmosis.
What is the relationship between hydrostatic pressure and filtration?
Filtration is based on a pressure gradient. Liquids may be pushed through a membrane if the pressure on one side of the membrane is greater than that on the other side. The force that pushes a liquid is called hydrostatic pressure.
What is another name for hydrostatic pressure in the body?
Blood pressure
The movement of molecules and substances across the cell membrane is considered ______ when the cell is required to use energy.
active
Some molecules are unable to enter the cell via the passive routes, because….?
1- they are not lipid soluble and therefore cannot penetrate the lipid bilayer
2- they are too large to pass through a membrane pore
3- they are on the wrong side of the concentration gradient
What are the two processes used to actively move substances into or out of the cell?
1 - active transport
2 - cytosis