Ch 1: Cellular Biology

Question 1

Define Eukaryotes

Answer 1

Cells of higher animals and plants, fungi, protozoa,
and most algae. These cells are larger and have membrane bound
intracellular compartments (organelles) and a well-defined nucleus

Question 2

Define Prokaryotes

Answer 2

Simple cells; no organelles and their nucleus is not well defined. Genetic
information is contained in a single circular chromosome.

Question 3

Define Tissue

Answer 3

Cells of one or more types are organized into tissues, and different
types of tissues compose organs. Organs are organized to function
as tracts or systems.

Question 4

What are the four basic types of tissues?

Answer 4

Epithelial, muscle, nerve, and connective tissues.

Question 5

Define Cell Atrophy

Answer 5

Decrease in cell size; shrinking cells—most common in skeletal muscle.

Decrease in cellular size caused by aging, disuse, or insufficient blood supply. Insufficient hormonal or neural stimulation also can cause atrophy

Question 6

Define Cell Hypertrophy

Answer 6

Increase in cell size—most common in heart and kidneys

An increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical stimuli (e.g., stretching, pressure, or volume overload) and results in increased size of the affected organ. Hypertrophy can be either physiologic or pathologic, depending on the circumstances.

Question 7

Define Cell Hyperplasia

Answer 7

Increase in number of cells—can occur in prostate

An increase in the number of cells is caused by an increased rate of mitosis (cell division). Hyperplasia can be physiologic (compensatory and hormonal) or pathologic hormonal.

Question 8

Define Dysplasia

Answer 8

Abnormal changes in size and shape—abnormal—can be found in the cervix.

An abnormal change in mature tissue cells’ size, shape, and organization. It is considered an atypical rather than a true adaptation response

Question 9

Define Metaplasia

Answer 9

Replacement of one mature cell with another type—can occur in the lungs after an insult like smoking—new cells do not secrete protective mucous

Reversible replacement of one mature cell type with another less mature cell type. It is found in association with tissue damage, repair, and regeneration.

Question 10

Difference between reversible and irreversible cellular injury?

Answer 10

Reversible: Cells will recover.
Irreversible: Cells will die.

Question 11

What are the mechanisms of injury for cells?

Answer 11

1. Hypoxia
2. Ischemia-Reperfusion
3. Free Radicals
4. Environmental Toxins/Heavy Metals

Question 12

What is the most common cause of cellular injury?

Answer 12

Hypoxia

Question 13

What is ischemia?

Answer 13

Cell death from loss of circulation.

Question 14

What is Ischemia-reperfusion injury

Answer 14

Cell injury and death caused by the restoration of blood flow and oxygen

Question 15

What is a free radical?

Answer 15

An electrically uncharged atom or group of atoms with an unpaired electron that damage

Question 16

What are examples of environmental toxins?

Answer 16

Air Pollution, Heavy Metals, and ETOH

Question 17

Unintentional vs Intentional injury?

Answer 17

Unintentional: accidental (Poisoning)
Intentional: purposeful (Suicide Attempt)

Question 18

Define blunt force trauma

Answer 18

Injuries resulting from an impact with a dull, firm surface or object. Individual injuries may be patterned (eg, characteristics of the wound suggest a particular type of blunt object) or nonspecific.

Question 19

Define sharp force trauma

Answer 19

Sharp force wounds are defined as incised wounds (cuts), penetrating incised wounds (stab wounds), chop wounds, non-human bites and venepunctures for medical or illicit use.

Question 20

What is Pathogenicity?

Answer 20

Disease-producing potential.

Question 21

Which of the following is the most common cause of cellular injury?

A) Hypoxia
B) Chemical injury from drugs
C) Free radical–induced injury
D) Chemical injury from pollutants

Answer 21

Correct Answer: A

Hypoxia is caused by decreased oxygen in the environment, decreased hemoglobin, decreased red blood cells, or cardiovascular collapse and is the most common cause of cellular injury. Chemical injuries and free radical-induced injuries are other types of cell injuries but are not the most common.

Question 22

Define necrosis

Answer 22

Sum of cellular changes after local cell death and the process of cellular self-digestion (autodigestion)

Question 23

Define Apoptosis

Answer 23

Programmed cellular death

Physiologic vs. pathologic
-Usually a normal part of the cell cycle
-Can occur as a result of cell injury
-Absence of apoptosis can result in extensive cell proliferation and
potential tumor generation

Question 24

Which type of necrosis best describes death of a cell from hypoxia, generally as a result of ischemia in the lower extremities?

A) Fat
B) Coagulative
C) Liquefactive
D) Gangrenous

Answer 24

Correct Answer: D

Gangrenous necrosis typically occurs in the lower extremities when blood vessels are blocked, and ischemia occurs. Hypoxia then ensues and bacteria invade. Coagulative necrosis occurs primarily in the kidneys, heart, and adrenal glands and is caused by protein degradation. Liquefactive necrosis results from ischemic injury to the neurons and glial cells. Fat necrosis occurs in the breast, pancreas, and other abdominal structures and is caused by the cellular dissolution of enzymes called lipases.

Question 25

Which statement is TRUE with regard to cellular change due to aging?

A) The cellular changes are reversible.
B) DNA becomes less susceptible to injurious stimuli.
C) The cellular changes proceed slowly and in small increments.
D) Lipid, calcium, and plasma proteins are less likely to be deposited in vessel walls.

Answer 25

Correct Answer C

Aging has been defined as the time-dependent loss of structure and function that proceeds slowly and in such small increments that it appears to be the result of the accumulation of small, imperceptible injuries—a gradual result of “wear and tear.” Cellular changes due to aging are irreversible. In the aged cell, DNA, RNA, cellular proteins, and membranes are more susceptible to injurious stimuli. With aging, lipid, calcium, and plasma proteins are deposited in vessel walls. These deposits cause serious basement membrane thickening and alterations in smooth muscle functioning, resulting in arteriosclerosis (a progressive disease that causes such problems as stroke, myocardial infarction, renal disease, and peripheral vascular disease).