Intracellular accumulations

Question 1

Define intracellular accumulations

Answer 1

This is an abnormal accumulation of fat, proteins and carbohydrates in the cytoplasm of a parenchymal(tissues that produce a specific function). This is due to the lack of enzyme activity

Question 2

What are the four types of intracellular protein degeneration?
And describe each characteristic

Answer 2

Granular degeneration= muddy or dim swelling, due to presence of electrodense granules in the cytoplasm

Hyaline-drop degeneration= this forms protein granules into the cytoplasm. It is found in the kidney, liver and myocardium. It stains pink, this is a sign of necrosis

Hydropic= This due to the accumulation of water in the cell, the cell will appear swollen, blood vessels are compressed and balloon like. This accumulation maybe due to toxins, chemicals, poisons, burns or fever.

Ultrastructural changes in hydropic swelling include the following:
• Dilation of endoplasmic reticulum.
• Mitochondrial swelling.
• Blebs on the plasma membrane.
• Loss of fibrillanty of nucleolus.

Keratoid (horney)= This is an increase level of keratin in the cell. Leucoplakia means hyperkeratosis in mucosa.
Under a microscope they may appear pink.

Due the all of these characteristics being protein they will all stain some time of pink due to them being acidophillic.

Question 3

What and how is intracellular fatty degenerations caused

Answer 3

This is due to an abnormal accumulation of fat in the cell. This is found in Parenchymal cells. Factors that can affect intracellular fatty degeneration are:

1. Excess alcohol consumption (most commonly).
2. Chronic cardiovascular and chronic pulmonary insufficiency.
3. Cachexia, avitaminosis.
4. Infections (e.g. diphtheria, tuberculosis).
5. Late period of pregnancy.
6. Starvation.
7. Malnutrition.
8. Hepatotoxins (e. g. carbon tetrachloride, chloroform).
9. Certain drugs (e. g. administration of oestrogen, steroids, tetracycline)

Question 4

What are the types of intracellular fatty degeneration

Answer 4

Fat stains such as Sudan 3, (stains red ), Osmic Acid or Osmium Tetroxide (stains black)

Fatty degeneration of the liver (goose liver)= The outer appearance is yellow, and bulges. Microscopically it can form numerous lipid vacuoles in the cytoplasm. These vacuoles may get bigger to form macrovascular.

Fatty degeneration of the heart (Tigers heart)= This is when the chambers become stretched, you will observe fatty vacuoles

Fatty degeneration of the Kidneys (Large white Kidney)= The kidney will enlarge The cortical substance is grey with yellow drops.
Outcomes of fatty degenerations are seldom reversible. Necrosis or sclerosis may develop.

Question 5

What are the three types of intracellular carbohydrate degeneration

Answer 5

Periodic acid–Schiff= Is used to detect polysaccharides for example Glucagon. Stains pink/red??

Polysaccharides (glycogen)= This is due to an accumulation of glycogen in the cells. Associated in diabetic patients. Found in liver, and kidneys (loop of henley)

2. Mucopolysaccharides.
3. Glycoproteides (mucin, mucoid).