https://www.stuvia.com/user/profgoodluck
BIOL 331 / BIOL331 Module 1 (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Pathophysiology | Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A |
100% Correct – Portage Learning
What is the definition of "pathophysiology"?
Pathophysiology is defined as not only the cellular and organ changes that occur with
disease, but also the effects that these changes have on total body function.
Name the 5 etiologic factors and give an example if listed.
Etiologic factors are the causes of a disease.
1. Physical forces: trauma, burns, etc
2. Chemical agents: poisons, alcohol
3. Biological agents: bacteria, viruses
4. Genetic predisposition: inherent genes from both parents but you don't necessarily
develop the disease but are predispositioned to it
5. Nutritional excess or deficiencies: Iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism.
Nutritional excess in carbohydrates can lead to irritable bowel syndrome.
What are the 2 types of risk factors?
Congenital: present at birth
Acquired: occur after birth
What is the difference between morphology and histology?
Morphology is defined as the fundamental structure or form of cells or tissues. Histology
is the study of the cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues.
Describe the difference between signs and symptoms and give an example of each.
These both relate to manifestations of a disease. Signs is an objective manifestation
while symptoms are a subjective complaint. Signs are apparent to the physician,
symptoms are apparent to the patient.
What are 3 important processes when coming to a diagnosis?
Patient history, diagnostic testing, and a physical examination.
Explain validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity.
Validity: how a tool measures what it is intended to measure i.e. the correct tool to do
the job, such as using a blood pressure cuff to measure blood pressure
Reliability: likelihood of yielding the same result of a test, usually dependent on
someone's experience and skill level
Sensitivity: proportion of people with a disease who test positive
Specificity: people without the disease who test negative for it
,Define epidemiology and name some things that it tracks.
Epidemiology is the study of disease occurrence. It tracks the health of a community by
tracking age, race, nutritional habits and locations.
What is the difference between incidence and prevalence?
Incidence is the number of new cases in the population at a given time, prevalence is the
number of cases that exist in the population at a given time.
Define mortality and morbidity.
Mortality is the reason for death in a population. Morbidity is the effect of the illness on
someone's life, as it pertains to their quality of life.
Define primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and give an example of each.
Primary prevention is what a person does to prevent a disease from occurring, for
example eating healthy and exercising.
Secondary prevention is aiming to detect and treat diseases when they are either still
curable or asymptomatic. An example of this is a colonoscopy
Tertiary prevention is when a disease is diagnosed and clinical interventions happen to
cause further complications. For example, using medication to reduce the risk of future
heart attacks.
Why is evidence-based practice important?
Evidence-based practice is important because medical professions follow up-to-date
information and studies in order to treat diseases. This ensures that new treatment
options are followed, preventing physicians from using outdates practices that no longer
benefit the patient.
What are the 3 primary structures of the cell?
The nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane
What is the function of the nucleus?
The nucleus is the control center for the cell and contains most of the hereditary
material, DNA and RNA.
Name 3 structures within the nucleus.
Chromatin, nucleolus, and nuclear envelope
What are the roles of the ribosomes, rough ER, and smooth ER?
Ribosomes synthesize proteins.
Rough ER carries ribosomes and synthesizes lysosomal enzymes.
Smooth ER NO RIBOSOMES. Creates lipids, lipoproteins, and steroid hormones.
What is the function of the lysosomes, peroxisomes, and mitochondria?
Lysosomes break down proteins.
Peroxisomes break down free radicals through the secretion of an enzyme that breaks
down peroxides.
, Mitochondria are the power house of the cell. They transform organic compounds into
cellular energy.
What is contained in the cytoskeleton and what is its function?
The cytoskeleton contains a network of microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate
filaments, and thick filaments. They control cell shape and movement.
Explain microtubules.
Microtubules can disassemble at one location and reassemble at another, aiding in the
maintenance of cell form, intracellular transport, and the formation of cellular
structures.
Explain centrioles.
Centrioles are made of microtubules and aid during cell division by forming the mitotic
spindle and helping to separate and move the chromosomes.
Explain cilia.
The cilia are also made of microtubules and function in cell motility.
Give examples of where cilia and flagella are found in the human body.
Cilia are found in epithelial lining such as nasal passages. Flagella are only found in
sperm.
What are the 4 functions of the cell membrane?
The cell membrane separates the contents of a cell from its outside environment. It
regulates the materials coming into and going from the cell, it aids in cell division and
growth, and contains hormone receptors that facilitate the conduction of electrical
currents in nerve receptors.
Why do cells need to communicate with one another?
Cells need to communicate to sense and respond to changes in their environment, this
cannot be done without communication.
Name the 4 types of signaling.
Endocrine, paracrine, autocrine, and synaptic signaling
What is endocrine signaling?
hormones in the bloodstream signal for cells to act on the body
What is paracrine signaling?
enzymes metabolize chemical mediators and leads to cell acting on a nearby cell
What is autocrine signaling?
cell releases chemical into extracellular fluid that affects its own self
BIOL 331 / BIOL331 Module 1 (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Pathophysiology | Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A |
100% Correct – Portage Learning
What is the definition of "pathophysiology"?
Pathophysiology is defined as not only the cellular and organ changes that occur with
disease, but also the effects that these changes have on total body function.
Name the 5 etiologic factors and give an example if listed.
Etiologic factors are the causes of a disease.
1. Physical forces: trauma, burns, etc
2. Chemical agents: poisons, alcohol
3. Biological agents: bacteria, viruses
4. Genetic predisposition: inherent genes from both parents but you don't necessarily
develop the disease but are predispositioned to it
5. Nutritional excess or deficiencies: Iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism.
Nutritional excess in carbohydrates can lead to irritable bowel syndrome.
What are the 2 types of risk factors?
Congenital: present at birth
Acquired: occur after birth
What is the difference between morphology and histology?
Morphology is defined as the fundamental structure or form of cells or tissues. Histology
is the study of the cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues.
Describe the difference between signs and symptoms and give an example of each.
These both relate to manifestations of a disease. Signs is an objective manifestation
while symptoms are a subjective complaint. Signs are apparent to the physician,
symptoms are apparent to the patient.
What are 3 important processes when coming to a diagnosis?
Patient history, diagnostic testing, and a physical examination.
Explain validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity.
Validity: how a tool measures what it is intended to measure i.e. the correct tool to do
the job, such as using a blood pressure cuff to measure blood pressure
Reliability: likelihood of yielding the same result of a test, usually dependent on
someone's experience and skill level
Sensitivity: proportion of people with a disease who test positive
Specificity: people without the disease who test negative for it
,Define epidemiology and name some things that it tracks.
Epidemiology is the study of disease occurrence. It tracks the health of a community by
tracking age, race, nutritional habits and locations.
What is the difference between incidence and prevalence?
Incidence is the number of new cases in the population at a given time, prevalence is the
number of cases that exist in the population at a given time.
Define mortality and morbidity.
Mortality is the reason for death in a population. Morbidity is the effect of the illness on
someone's life, as it pertains to their quality of life.
Define primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and give an example of each.
Primary prevention is what a person does to prevent a disease from occurring, for
example eating healthy and exercising.
Secondary prevention is aiming to detect and treat diseases when they are either still
curable or asymptomatic. An example of this is a colonoscopy
Tertiary prevention is when a disease is diagnosed and clinical interventions happen to
cause further complications. For example, using medication to reduce the risk of future
heart attacks.
Why is evidence-based practice important?
Evidence-based practice is important because medical professions follow up-to-date
information and studies in order to treat diseases. This ensures that new treatment
options are followed, preventing physicians from using outdates practices that no longer
benefit the patient.
What are the 3 primary structures of the cell?
The nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane
What is the function of the nucleus?
The nucleus is the control center for the cell and contains most of the hereditary
material, DNA and RNA.
Name 3 structures within the nucleus.
Chromatin, nucleolus, and nuclear envelope
What are the roles of the ribosomes, rough ER, and smooth ER?
Ribosomes synthesize proteins.
Rough ER carries ribosomes and synthesizes lysosomal enzymes.
Smooth ER NO RIBOSOMES. Creates lipids, lipoproteins, and steroid hormones.
What is the function of the lysosomes, peroxisomes, and mitochondria?
Lysosomes break down proteins.
Peroxisomes break down free radicals through the secretion of an enzyme that breaks
down peroxides.
, Mitochondria are the power house of the cell. They transform organic compounds into
cellular energy.
What is contained in the cytoskeleton and what is its function?
The cytoskeleton contains a network of microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate
filaments, and thick filaments. They control cell shape and movement.
Explain microtubules.
Microtubules can disassemble at one location and reassemble at another, aiding in the
maintenance of cell form, intracellular transport, and the formation of cellular
structures.
Explain centrioles.
Centrioles are made of microtubules and aid during cell division by forming the mitotic
spindle and helping to separate and move the chromosomes.
Explain cilia.
The cilia are also made of microtubules and function in cell motility.
Give examples of where cilia and flagella are found in the human body.
Cilia are found in epithelial lining such as nasal passages. Flagella are only found in
sperm.
What are the 4 functions of the cell membrane?
The cell membrane separates the contents of a cell from its outside environment. It
regulates the materials coming into and going from the cell, it aids in cell division and
growth, and contains hormone receptors that facilitate the conduction of electrical
currents in nerve receptors.
Why do cells need to communicate with one another?
Cells need to communicate to sense and respond to changes in their environment, this
cannot be done without communication.
Name the 4 types of signaling.
Endocrine, paracrine, autocrine, and synaptic signaling
What is endocrine signaling?
hormones in the bloodstream signal for cells to act on the body
What is paracrine signaling?
enzymes metabolize chemical mediators and leads to cell acting on a nearby cell
What is autocrine signaling?
cell releases chemical into extracellular fluid that affects its own self
