Central Concepts Of Pathophysiology In
NSG5531 Exam Study Guide
Nucleus - ANSWER Contains nuclear envelope, nuclear pore complexes, RNA, DNA,
histone proteins; functions in cell division and control of genetic information.
Ribosomes - ANSWER RNA protein complexes; free vs. attached ribosomes; synthesize
proteins.
Endoplasmic reticulum - ANSWER Network of tubular or saclike channels; smooth vs.
rough ER; site of protein synthesis and senses cellular stress.
Lysosomes - ANSWER Saclike structures from Golgi; primary vs. secondary lysosomes;
functions in intracellular digestion, autodigestion, and autophagy.
Mitochondria - ANSWER Surrounded by double membrane; cristae increase inner
membrane surface area; responsible for cellular respiration, energy production, and
oxidative phosphorylation.
Plasma membranes - ANSWER Control composition of enclosed space; enclose cell;
provide selective transport system, cell-to-cell recognition, mobility, shape.
Membrane composition - ANSWER Bilayer of lipids and proteins; fluid structure; lipids
are amphipathic; proteins are polypeptides with various functions.
Cellular receptors - ANSWER Proteins on plasma membrane, cytoplasm, or nucleus;
bind with ligands; determine cell response to binding.
Extracellular matrix - ANSWER Meshwork of fibrous proteins in gel-like substance;
includes collagen, elastin, fibronectin, proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid; regulates cell
growth, movement, and differentiation.
Cellular Communication - ANSWER Maintains homeostasis; regulates growth, division;
coordinates functions through contact-dependent, paracrine, autocrine, hormonal,
neurohormonal signaling.
Metabolism - ANSWER Chemical tasks maintaining cellular functions; includes
anabolism (energy using) and catabolism (energy releasing); ATP role in energy storage
and transfer.
Food and production of cellular energy - ANSWER Includes digestion, glycolysis,
oxidation, oxidative cellular metabolism, citric acid cycle, and oxidative
phosphorylation.
Membrane transport - ANSWER Passive (diffusion, filtration, osmosis) and active
transport mechanisms; involves solutes, electrolytes, non-electrolytes.
, Osmotic pressure - ANSWER Pressure opposing water movement due to concentration
gradient; oncotic pressure from colloids; osmolarity and osmolality measure solution
concentration.
Tonicity - ANSWER Effective osmolality of a solution; isotonic, hypertonic, hypotonic
solutions have different concentrations.
Active transport of Na+ and K+ - ANSWER Antiport system moving Na+ out and K+ into
cell using ATP; electrogenic process with electrical potential difference.
Cellular Reproduction - ANSWER Includes mitosis, cytokinesis, chromatin,
chromosomes, chromatids, and cell cycle phases (G1, S, G2, M).
Growth factors - ANSWER Cytokines stimulating cellular growth and regeneration;
platelet-derived growth factor is an example.
Cellular Adaptation - ANSWER Cell response to injury through atrophy, hypertrophy,
hyperplasia, metaplasia, and dysplasia.
Cellular Injury - ANSWER Leads to tissue and organ damage; can be reversible or
irreversible, acute or chronic, involving necrosis, apoptosis, accumulation, or
calcification.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion - ANSWER One of the biochemical mechanisms
of cellular injury.
Mitochondrial damage - ANSWER A factor contributing to cellular injury.
Calcium level alterations - ANSWER A mechanism that can lead to cellular injury.
Necrosis - ANSWER A type of cellular death that includes inflammatory changes.
Apoptosis - ANSWER A type of cellular death without inflammatory changes.
Pyknosis - ANSWER The shrinking of the nucleus in the process of necrosis.
Karyorrhexis - ANSWER The fragmentation of the nucleus in necrosis.
Karyolysis - ANSWER The nuclear dissolution and chromatin lysis in necrosis.
Somatic Death - ANSWER The death of the entire person without an inflammatory
response.
Algor mortis - ANSWER Postmortem change characterized by reduced temperature.
Livor mortis - ANSWER Postmortem change involving purple skin discoloration.
Rigor mortis - ANSWER Postmortem change leading to muscle stiffening.
Edema - ANSWER Accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces.
NSG5531 Exam Study Guide
Nucleus - ANSWER Contains nuclear envelope, nuclear pore complexes, RNA, DNA,
histone proteins; functions in cell division and control of genetic information.
Ribosomes - ANSWER RNA protein complexes; free vs. attached ribosomes; synthesize
proteins.
Endoplasmic reticulum - ANSWER Network of tubular or saclike channels; smooth vs.
rough ER; site of protein synthesis and senses cellular stress.
Lysosomes - ANSWER Saclike structures from Golgi; primary vs. secondary lysosomes;
functions in intracellular digestion, autodigestion, and autophagy.
Mitochondria - ANSWER Surrounded by double membrane; cristae increase inner
membrane surface area; responsible for cellular respiration, energy production, and
oxidative phosphorylation.
Plasma membranes - ANSWER Control composition of enclosed space; enclose cell;
provide selective transport system, cell-to-cell recognition, mobility, shape.
Membrane composition - ANSWER Bilayer of lipids and proteins; fluid structure; lipids
are amphipathic; proteins are polypeptides with various functions.
Cellular receptors - ANSWER Proteins on plasma membrane, cytoplasm, or nucleus;
bind with ligands; determine cell response to binding.
Extracellular matrix - ANSWER Meshwork of fibrous proteins in gel-like substance;
includes collagen, elastin, fibronectin, proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid; regulates cell
growth, movement, and differentiation.
Cellular Communication - ANSWER Maintains homeostasis; regulates growth, division;
coordinates functions through contact-dependent, paracrine, autocrine, hormonal,
neurohormonal signaling.
Metabolism - ANSWER Chemical tasks maintaining cellular functions; includes
anabolism (energy using) and catabolism (energy releasing); ATP role in energy storage
and transfer.
Food and production of cellular energy - ANSWER Includes digestion, glycolysis,
oxidation, oxidative cellular metabolism, citric acid cycle, and oxidative
phosphorylation.
Membrane transport - ANSWER Passive (diffusion, filtration, osmosis) and active
transport mechanisms; involves solutes, electrolytes, non-electrolytes.
, Osmotic pressure - ANSWER Pressure opposing water movement due to concentration
gradient; oncotic pressure from colloids; osmolarity and osmolality measure solution
concentration.
Tonicity - ANSWER Effective osmolality of a solution; isotonic, hypertonic, hypotonic
solutions have different concentrations.
Active transport of Na+ and K+ - ANSWER Antiport system moving Na+ out and K+ into
cell using ATP; electrogenic process with electrical potential difference.
Cellular Reproduction - ANSWER Includes mitosis, cytokinesis, chromatin,
chromosomes, chromatids, and cell cycle phases (G1, S, G2, M).
Growth factors - ANSWER Cytokines stimulating cellular growth and regeneration;
platelet-derived growth factor is an example.
Cellular Adaptation - ANSWER Cell response to injury through atrophy, hypertrophy,
hyperplasia, metaplasia, and dysplasia.
Cellular Injury - ANSWER Leads to tissue and organ damage; can be reversible or
irreversible, acute or chronic, involving necrosis, apoptosis, accumulation, or
calcification.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion - ANSWER One of the biochemical mechanisms
of cellular injury.
Mitochondrial damage - ANSWER A factor contributing to cellular injury.
Calcium level alterations - ANSWER A mechanism that can lead to cellular injury.
Necrosis - ANSWER A type of cellular death that includes inflammatory changes.
Apoptosis - ANSWER A type of cellular death without inflammatory changes.
Pyknosis - ANSWER The shrinking of the nucleus in the process of necrosis.
Karyorrhexis - ANSWER The fragmentation of the nucleus in necrosis.
Karyolysis - ANSWER The nuclear dissolution and chromatin lysis in necrosis.
Somatic Death - ANSWER The death of the entire person without an inflammatory
response.
Algor mortis - ANSWER Postmortem change characterized by reduced temperature.
Livor mortis - ANSWER Postmortem change involving purple skin discoloration.
Rigor mortis - ANSWER Postmortem change leading to muscle stiffening.
Edema - ANSWER Accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces.
