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Introduction to Cell Physiology
Chemotherapeutic Agents
- Alter cellular function or disrupt cellular integrity, causing cell death
- Prevent cellular reproduction, eventually leading to cell death
Chemotherapeutic Drugs
- Destroy organisms that invade the body
- Bacteria, viruses, parasites, protozoa, fungi
- Destroy abnormal cells within the body
Parts of a Human Cell
- Nucleus
- Cell membrane
- Cytoplasm
Structure of a Cell
Stucture of a Cell
Cell Nucleus
- Contains genetic material
- Necessary for cell reproduction
- Regulates cellular production of proteins
- Each cell is “programmed” by the genes for the production of specific proteins
- Allows the cell to carry out its function
- Maintains cell homeostasis or stability
- Promotes cell division
Cell Membrane
- Surrounds the cell
- Separates the intracellular fluid from the extracellular fluid
- Essential for cellular integrity
Structure of a Lipid Cell Membrane
Structure of a Lipid Cell Membrane
Organelles of the Cytoplasm
- Mitochondria
- Endoplasmic reticulum
- Free ribosomes
- Golgi apparatus
- Lysosomes
Components of Cell Membrane
- Cell membrane is made up of lipids and proteins
- Several lipids make up the cell membrane
- Phospholipids
- Glycolipids
- Cholesterol
- Lipid layer provides a barrier for the cell and maintains homeostasis of the cell
Receptor Sites
- Found on the cell membrane
- Specific receptor sites allow interaction with various chemicals
Identifying Markers
- Surface antigens
- Important in the role of cellular immunity
- Histocompatibility proteins allow for self-identification
- The body’s immune system recognizes these proteins and acts to protect self-cells and to destroy non–self-cells
Channels
- Channels or pores allow for the passage of substances into and out of the cell
- Some drugs are designed to affect certain channels within the cell
Cell Properties
- Endocytosis
- Involves incorporation of material into the cell
- Pinocytosis and phagocytosis occur
- Exocytosis
- Allows a cell to move a substance to the cell membrane and secrete the substance outside the cell
- Hormones, neurotransmitters, and enzymes are excreted into the body by this process
Homeostasis of the Cell
- Passive transport
- Happens without the expenditure of energy and can occur across any semipermeable membrane
- Occurs by diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion
- Active transport
- Energy-requiring process
- Movement of particular substances against a concentration gradient
- Important in maintaining cell homeostasis
Passive Transport
- Diffusion
- Does not require energy
- The movement of solutes from a region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration across a concentration gradient
- Osmosis
- Does not require energy
- Movement of water from an area low in solutes to an area high in solutes
Phases of the Cell Cycle
- G0 phase
- G1 phase
- S phase
- G2 phase
- Last substances needed for division are collected and produced
- M phase
- Actual cell division occurs, producing two identical daughter cells
Cell Cycle
Cell Cycle
Cell Physiology
- May alter the cell membrane, causing the cell to rupture and die
- May deprive the cell of certain nutrients, altering the proteins that the cell produces and interfering with normal cell functioning and cell division
- May affect the normal cells of patients to some extent
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Tags
abnormal cells, cell membrane, cell receptor, cell reproduction, cellular function, cellular immunity, cellular integrity, cellular production, cellular reproduction, chemotherapeutic agents, chemotherapeutic drugs, extracellular fluid, intracellular fluid, introduction to cell physiology, lipid layer, lipids and proteins, membrane phospholipids, parts of a human cell nucleus, self identification, structure of a cell