Introduction to Pathophysiology

Question 1

Define pathophysiology

Answer 1

The study of how a disease effects the body

Question 2

Define clinical presentation

Answer 2

Refers to how the disease effects the individual including signs and symptoms

Question 3

Define ‘signs’ of disease

Answer 3

Observations which are objective which may indicate disease presence

Question 4

Define ‘symptoms’ of diease

Answer 4

Individual sensations felt by the patient which are subjective

Question 5

Name the 11 organ systems

Answer 5

1. Cardiovascular
2. Respiratory
3. Urinary
4. Gastrointestinal
5. Reproductive
6. Muscular
7. Skeletal
8. Ingumentary
9. Nervous
10. Endocrine
11. Immune

Question 6

What is the predominant role of homeostasis?

Answer 6

To provide the optimum conditions for body cells

Question 7

Name 5 key conditions kept in homeostasis

Answer 7

Maintenance of body pH levels 
Maintenance of body temperature
Maintenance of fluid levels and electrolyte balance 
Providing oxygen where needed
Removing waste products where needed

Question 8

What happens during a homeostatic imbalance?

Answer 8

The body develops an illness or diease

Question 9

Briefly describe nerve signalling

Answer 9

A chemical messaged passed from one neuron to the next. Requires action potential to be reached. Chemical signal is in the form of neurotransmitters. A very fast but localised from of signalling.

Question 10

Briefly describe endocrine signalling

Answer 10

A message in the form of hormone is released from organs into the blood stream. Endocrine signalling is significantly slower however can be more widespread due to the hormones travelling in the blood.

Question 11

Where does local signalling occur?

Answer 11

Between cells which are located very closely together.

Question 12

Define atrophy and give an example

Answer 12

A decrease in the size of cells leading to skeletal muscle shrinkage in the body

Question 13

Define hypertrophy and give an example

Answer 13

An increase in cell size and volume for example cells within the prostate causing it to become enlarged

Question 14

Define hyperplasia and give an example

Answer 14

Increase in the number of cells present for example prostatic hyperplasia

Question 15

Define metaplasia and give an example

Answer 15

A cell of a specific type is replaced by a less specific cell type. For example in smokers, the mucous producing cilia in the respiratory system are replaced by non mucous releasing cells.

Question 16

Define dysplasia and give an example

Answer 16

Abnormal changes and variations in the shape and size of normal body cells which could lead to carcinoma for example cervical dysplasia leading to cervical cancer.

Question 17

Define and describe necrosis

Answer 17

A form of cell death. The cell is damaged by toxins or abnormal conditions within the body causing the cell membrane to deform and the cell contents to spill out.

Question 18

Define and describe apoptosis

Answer 18

A form of programmed cell death. Each type of cell has a specific programmed lifespan designed to control the population of the cell. The cell does not become damaged before it dies.

Question 19

The scientific study of the causes of diseases is called:

Answer 19

Aetiology

Question 20

The smallest living unit of the body is called:

Answer 20

Cell

Question 21

The working together of cells, tissues and organs is called:

Answer 21

Integration

Question 22

Endocrine signalling involves the release of:

Answer 22

Hormones

Question 23

The transmission of a molecular signal from a cells exterior to its interior is known as?

Answer 23

Signal transduction

Question 24

Pharmacokinetics is the study of?

Answer 24

The action of the body on drugs

Question 25

What can stimulate the process of apoptosis?

Answer 25

The immune system during times of infection.

Question 26

Define acute:

Answer 26

The rapid and sudden progression of an illness or disease

Question 27

Define chronic:

Answer 27

An ongoing illness with symptoms or signs which may become worse over time

Question 28

Define subacute:

Answer 28

A subjective category of illness which falls between acute and chronic.

Question 29

Define acute on chronic illness:

Answer 29

A rapid onset of disease or illness which is otherwise associated with a chronic condition.

Question 30

Define aetiology:

Answer 30

The cause of a disease

Question 31

Define congenital:

Answer 31

A disease which has been present from birth.

Question 32

Define neoplastic:

Answer 32

The changing of cells leading to the formation of a tumour

Question 33

Define idiopathic:

Answer 33

A spontaneous occurrence of disease with no particular cause

Question 34

Define iatrogenic:

Answer 34

A illness which is causes by medical intervention or treatment

Question 35

Define pathogenisis:

Answer 35

The biological mechanisms which take place within the body leading to disease development.

Question 36

Define exacerbation

Answer 36

An increase in the severity of the signs or symptoms of a disease or condition

Question 37

Define convalescence:

Answer 37

The gradual recovery of health following a disease or illness. Does not however the individual is not infectious to others.

Question 38

Define mortality:

Answer 38

The number of deaths within a group of individuals over a particular period of time due to an illness or disease

Question 39

Define morbidity:

Answer 39

The rate of a diseases occurrence within a population

Question 40

Define epidemiology:

Answer 40

The study of disease patterns within a population

Question 41

Define epidemic:

Answer 41

The rapid spread of an infectious disease or illness within a particular population

Question 42

Define pandemic:

Answer 42

The worldwide spread of a new infectious disease or a new strain of infectious disease.

Question 43

Define endemic:

Answer 43

An infectious disease which occurs in a particular population and does not spread out to others.