Study Guide Unit 1 NU 545 | Actual Questions &
Complete Detailed Answers | 2026/2027 Update
1. What is metabolic absorption? -- (Chap. 1 - Page 2)
a. Take in and use nutrients and other substances from their surroundings
(ex: cells of intestines or kidneys)
2. What uses oxygen to remove hydrogen atoms in an oxidative reaction? --
(Chapter 1 PP - Page 5)
a. Peroxisomes contain enzymes that use O2 to remove hydrogen in
oxidative reactions to produce hydrogen peroxide
3. During cell injury what is released that is capable of cellular autodigestion?
(Page 5 and ch 1 powerpoint) -- Lysosomal enzymes
4. Where is the genetic info contained in the cell? - Nucleus
5. Cell membranes contain which major chemical components? - lipids and
proteins
6. What allows potassium to diffuse in and out of cells? (Chapter 1 - Page 25)
a. The Na+-K+-ATP pump. Uses direct energy of ATP; found in excitable
tissues (muscles/nerves) & also in kidneys & salivary glands. Involves the
movement of Na+ & K+ against a concentration gradient.
b. Protein enzyme ATPase allows potassium to move in and out of the cell.
c. Mediated transport = channel protein through which ions can diffuse (K+
leak channel)
7. How is the cell protected from injury? -- plasma membrane.
8. In cirrhosis, what does cholesterol have to do with the erythrocytes?
a. Associated with chemical changes that result in structural & metabolic
abnormalities of the erythrocyte membrane leading to cell shape changes
& hemolytic anemia.
b. Increase in unesterified serum cholesterol owing to lecithin cholesterol
acyl transferase (LCAT) deficiency in cirrhosis leads to expansion of the
lipid bilayer & macrocytosis without megaloblastic changes in precursors.
Substitutions of phosphatidyl choline (PC) moieties in the erythrocyte lipid
bilayer lead to echinocytes (disaturated PC) or to stomatocytes
, (diunsaturated PC). In some patients, high density lipoprotein (HDL)
abnormalities lead to erythrocyte surface changes causing rapid formation
of echinocytes.
c. Alters fluidity & function of cell membrane as well as intercellular transport
9. What is platelet-derived growth factor? (Chapter 1 - Page 34)
a. Stimulates proliferation of connective tissue cells and neuroglial cells
10.What is cell communication? How does it occur? (Chapter 1 - Page 15 & 17)
a. Required for homeostasis, regulate cellular growth/division and
development/organization into tissues, and coordinate cellular function.
b. Occurs in 3 ways:
i. Contact signaling by plasma membrane bound receptors - they
display plasma membrane bound signaling molecules (receptors)
that affect the cell itself and other cells in direct physical contact
ii. Remote signaling - via chemical signals that must enter the distant
cells to affect the receptors inside of the distant cell (most common)
iii. Via protein channels (gap junctions) that directly coordinate the
activities of adjacent cells. (must be touching)
iv. Alterations in cellular communication affect disease onset and
progression. If a cell cannot perform gap junction communication,
normal growth control and cell differentiation is compromised,
causing cancerous cell development.
11.What is chemical signaling? -- (Chapter 1 - Page 18 figure 1.14)
a. Involves the secretion of chemicals, such as hormones, neurohormones,
paracrine, autocrine, and neurotransmitters. Chemical signaling may occur
through the bloodstream or in small discrete spaces
12.How is glucose transported from the blood to the cell? (Chapter 1 - Page 27.
Table 1.4)
a. Passive transport: protein channel / Active transport: symport with Na +
13.Understand the transportation of potassium and sodium across plasma
membranes. (Chapter 1 - Page 25-26. **Figure 1.27)
a. The NA-K antiport (opposite directions) system uses direct energy of ATP
to move cations
b. ATPase is the transporter protein
c. Concentration of ATPase in plasma membranes is directly related to NA-K
transport activity
d. Process
, i.
3 NA+ ions bind to NA-binding sites on the inside of the cell ii.
ATP molecule produced by cell’s mitochondria binds to carrier iii.
Carrier changes shape, releases 3 NA+ ions outside the cell and
attracts K+ ions to k binding sites on the outside of cell
iv. Carrier returns to original shape, releasing 2 K+ ions and the
leftover ATP molecule inside the cell.
v. Carrier can now repeat cycle
14.What is active transport? -- transport of molecules into/out of the cell using
energy.
15.What are cytokines? (Page 34) -- Also called growth factors that stimulate an
increase in cell mass or cell growth by fostering the synthesis of proteins and
other macromolecules and inhibiting their breakdown
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
16.Do all cells continue to replicate and divide?
a. - No, all types of cells undergo mitosis during formation of the embryo, but
adult cells including: nerve cells, lens cells, & muscle cells, lose the ability
to replicate.
b. When a need arises for new cells, as in the repair of injured cells,
previously non-dividing cells must be rapidly triggered to reenter the cell
cycle.
c. Neurons are fixed at birth & are unable to be replaced.
17.When normal columnar ciliated epithelial cells of the bronchial lining are
replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells, the process is called? (unit
2 powerpoint)
a. Metaplasia - the reversible replacement of one mature cell by another.
b. They lose protective ability because new cells can’t secrete mucus/make
cilia
c. Bronchial metaplasia can be reversed if induction stimulus removed such
as smoking
18.What is the relation between ischemia and ATP? (Page 50) -- Reduces ATP
levels, causing a failure of the plasma membrane’s sodium-potasium pump and
sodium-calcium exchange mechanism. (go to page 50 for whole explanation)
19.When does sodium enter the cell and cause swelling? See page 50 - same
paragraph as #18
20.What are free radicals in relation to cell damage? Progression of diseases?
(Page 50) --
Complete Detailed Answers | 2026/2027 Update
1. What is metabolic absorption? -- (Chap. 1 - Page 2)
a. Take in and use nutrients and other substances from their surroundings
(ex: cells of intestines or kidneys)
2. What uses oxygen to remove hydrogen atoms in an oxidative reaction? --
(Chapter 1 PP - Page 5)
a. Peroxisomes contain enzymes that use O2 to remove hydrogen in
oxidative reactions to produce hydrogen peroxide
3. During cell injury what is released that is capable of cellular autodigestion?
(Page 5 and ch 1 powerpoint) -- Lysosomal enzymes
4. Where is the genetic info contained in the cell? - Nucleus
5. Cell membranes contain which major chemical components? - lipids and
proteins
6. What allows potassium to diffuse in and out of cells? (Chapter 1 - Page 25)
a. The Na+-K+-ATP pump. Uses direct energy of ATP; found in excitable
tissues (muscles/nerves) & also in kidneys & salivary glands. Involves the
movement of Na+ & K+ against a concentration gradient.
b. Protein enzyme ATPase allows potassium to move in and out of the cell.
c. Mediated transport = channel protein through which ions can diffuse (K+
leak channel)
7. How is the cell protected from injury? -- plasma membrane.
8. In cirrhosis, what does cholesterol have to do with the erythrocytes?
a. Associated with chemical changes that result in structural & metabolic
abnormalities of the erythrocyte membrane leading to cell shape changes
& hemolytic anemia.
b. Increase in unesterified serum cholesterol owing to lecithin cholesterol
acyl transferase (LCAT) deficiency in cirrhosis leads to expansion of the
lipid bilayer & macrocytosis without megaloblastic changes in precursors.
Substitutions of phosphatidyl choline (PC) moieties in the erythrocyte lipid
bilayer lead to echinocytes (disaturated PC) or to stomatocytes
, (diunsaturated PC). In some patients, high density lipoprotein (HDL)
abnormalities lead to erythrocyte surface changes causing rapid formation
of echinocytes.
c. Alters fluidity & function of cell membrane as well as intercellular transport
9. What is platelet-derived growth factor? (Chapter 1 - Page 34)
a. Stimulates proliferation of connective tissue cells and neuroglial cells
10.What is cell communication? How does it occur? (Chapter 1 - Page 15 & 17)
a. Required for homeostasis, regulate cellular growth/division and
development/organization into tissues, and coordinate cellular function.
b. Occurs in 3 ways:
i. Contact signaling by plasma membrane bound receptors - they
display plasma membrane bound signaling molecules (receptors)
that affect the cell itself and other cells in direct physical contact
ii. Remote signaling - via chemical signals that must enter the distant
cells to affect the receptors inside of the distant cell (most common)
iii. Via protein channels (gap junctions) that directly coordinate the
activities of adjacent cells. (must be touching)
iv. Alterations in cellular communication affect disease onset and
progression. If a cell cannot perform gap junction communication,
normal growth control and cell differentiation is compromised,
causing cancerous cell development.
11.What is chemical signaling? -- (Chapter 1 - Page 18 figure 1.14)
a. Involves the secretion of chemicals, such as hormones, neurohormones,
paracrine, autocrine, and neurotransmitters. Chemical signaling may occur
through the bloodstream or in small discrete spaces
12.How is glucose transported from the blood to the cell? (Chapter 1 - Page 27.
Table 1.4)
a. Passive transport: protein channel / Active transport: symport with Na +
13.Understand the transportation of potassium and sodium across plasma
membranes. (Chapter 1 - Page 25-26. **Figure 1.27)
a. The NA-K antiport (opposite directions) system uses direct energy of ATP
to move cations
b. ATPase is the transporter protein
c. Concentration of ATPase in plasma membranes is directly related to NA-K
transport activity
d. Process
, i.
3 NA+ ions bind to NA-binding sites on the inside of the cell ii.
ATP molecule produced by cell’s mitochondria binds to carrier iii.
Carrier changes shape, releases 3 NA+ ions outside the cell and
attracts K+ ions to k binding sites on the outside of cell
iv. Carrier returns to original shape, releasing 2 K+ ions and the
leftover ATP molecule inside the cell.
v. Carrier can now repeat cycle
14.What is active transport? -- transport of molecules into/out of the cell using
energy.
15.What are cytokines? (Page 34) -- Also called growth factors that stimulate an
increase in cell mass or cell growth by fostering the synthesis of proteins and
other macromolecules and inhibiting their breakdown
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
16.Do all cells continue to replicate and divide?
a. - No, all types of cells undergo mitosis during formation of the embryo, but
adult cells including: nerve cells, lens cells, & muscle cells, lose the ability
to replicate.
b. When a need arises for new cells, as in the repair of injured cells,
previously non-dividing cells must be rapidly triggered to reenter the cell
cycle.
c. Neurons are fixed at birth & are unable to be replaced.
17.When normal columnar ciliated epithelial cells of the bronchial lining are
replaced by stratified squamous epithelial cells, the process is called? (unit
2 powerpoint)
a. Metaplasia - the reversible replacement of one mature cell by another.
b. They lose protective ability because new cells can’t secrete mucus/make
cilia
c. Bronchial metaplasia can be reversed if induction stimulus removed such
as smoking
18.What is the relation between ischemia and ATP? (Page 50) -- Reduces ATP
levels, causing a failure of the plasma membrane’s sodium-potasium pump and
sodium-calcium exchange mechanism. (go to page 50 for whole explanation)
19.When does sodium enter the cell and cause swelling? See page 50 - same
paragraph as #18
20.What are free radicals in relation to cell damage? Progression of diseases?
(Page 50) --
