Pathophysiology: Week 1 Chapters 1-3
Exam - South College
Diseases at the cellular level
Diseases begin with disruption of cellular structure and function,
causing changes that can be detected and monitored.
Main cellular structures
Plasma membrane, sodium-potassium pump, mitochondria,
lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, secretory vesicles,
microtubules, microfilaments, and nucleus.
Function of the plasma membrane
It acts as a semi-permeable barrier; disruption affects cell
function. Its glycoproteins serve as antigens for immune
recognition.
,Sodium-potassium pump
It actively transports 3 sodium ions out and 2 potassium ions into
the cell using ATP, helping maintain resting membrane potential
and fluid volume.
Role of mitochondria
They produce ATP through aerobic metabolism and contain
maternal DNA; damage to mitochondrial DNA may contribute to
chronic diseases.
Aerobic vs Anaerobic metabolism
Aerobic yields 34 ATP and occurs with oxygen (Glucose to
pyruvate, which enters Krebs cycle); anaerobic yields 2 ATP and
produces lactic acid in hypoxic conditions (Glucose to pyruvate to
lactic acid).
Lysosomes
Organelles with digestive enzymes for autolysis and heterolysis; a
, deficiency can cause diseases like Tay-Sachs.
Proteasomes and peroxisomes
Proteasomes degrade proteins; peroxisomes break down free
radicals and fatty acids. Their dysfunction is linked to diseases
like cachexia and adrenoleukodystrophy.
Function of the endoplasmic reticulum
Smooth ER synthesizes lipids; rough ER synthesizes proteins. ER
stress is associated with metabolic disorders.
What are ribosomes?
"Protein factories." Hypoxia causes decreased protein synthesis.
Role of the Golgi apparatus
It processes, packages, and secretes proteins like hormones (e.g.,
ACTH, insulin).
Exam - South College
Diseases at the cellular level
Diseases begin with disruption of cellular structure and function,
causing changes that can be detected and monitored.
Main cellular structures
Plasma membrane, sodium-potassium pump, mitochondria,
lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, secretory vesicles,
microtubules, microfilaments, and nucleus.
Function of the plasma membrane
It acts as a semi-permeable barrier; disruption affects cell
function. Its glycoproteins serve as antigens for immune
recognition.
,Sodium-potassium pump
It actively transports 3 sodium ions out and 2 potassium ions into
the cell using ATP, helping maintain resting membrane potential
and fluid volume.
Role of mitochondria
They produce ATP through aerobic metabolism and contain
maternal DNA; damage to mitochondrial DNA may contribute to
chronic diseases.
Aerobic vs Anaerobic metabolism
Aerobic yields 34 ATP and occurs with oxygen (Glucose to
pyruvate, which enters Krebs cycle); anaerobic yields 2 ATP and
produces lactic acid in hypoxic conditions (Glucose to pyruvate to
lactic acid).
Lysosomes
Organelles with digestive enzymes for autolysis and heterolysis; a
, deficiency can cause diseases like Tay-Sachs.
Proteasomes and peroxisomes
Proteasomes degrade proteins; peroxisomes break down free
radicals and fatty acids. Their dysfunction is linked to diseases
like cachexia and adrenoleukodystrophy.
Function of the endoplasmic reticulum
Smooth ER synthesizes lipids; rough ER synthesizes proteins. ER
stress is associated with metabolic disorders.
What are ribosomes?
"Protein factories." Hypoxia causes decreased protein synthesis.
Role of the Golgi apparatus
It processes, packages, and secretes proteins like hormones (e.g.,
ACTH, insulin).
