Immunopathology Week 1 - Stressor and Tut Questions Flashcards
Define Homeostasis
Homeostasis is defined as a condition in which the internal
environment remains relatively constant within limits.
It requires the internal environment to:
* Contain optimum concentration of nutrients, water, gases and ions
* Have optimal temperature
* Have optimal pressure for cell function
Any imbalance in this environment can disturb homeostasis and may
cause ill health or death.
What is a stressor?
A physical, mental, or emotional factor that causes
bodily or mental tension.
Stressors may be:
* Internal (from within the body) or external (outside the
body)
* Identified easily (e.g motor vehicle accident) or more
‘hidden’ (e.g emotional/mental factors)
* Temporary or long-term in duration.
What is an injury?
INJURY is a pathological process in the tissue as a result of any stress
upon a it. There is disruption of its normal structure and/or function.
What are the causes of injury?
Injury can be a result of environmental
and/or genetic influences.
What are some environmental influences on health?
Physical Agents (e.g radiation, mechanical trauma)
* Chemical Agents (e.g lead, tobacco, toxins, dusts)
* Biological agents (e.g virus, bacteria, fungi)
* Nutritional deficiencies or excesses
* Oxygen deficiency
* Iatrogenic diseases (caused by the health
professions)
Why is Classification of disease useful?
- Communication with others
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Record keeping
- Research &
- Psychosocial and economical factors
What are the Classification of diseases?
- Classification is usually based on the cause (aetiology) of the disease.
Congenital (present at birth)
* Genetic (genes, DNA, chromosome)
* Non-genetic (infections, malformation)
Acquired (develops after birth)
* Mostly due to environmental cause
* May be classified in different ways but overlap exists between them.
