Unit Objectives: Cellular Adaptation, Injury, and Death
Normal Cell Biology and Physiology Review:
1. Basic anatomy and function of:
a. Nucleus: The large, membrane-bounded organelle that contains the genetic material, in
the form of multiple linear DNA molecules organized into structures called
chromosomes
b. Mitochondria: Spherical or rod-shaped organelles found within the cytoplasm of
eukaryotic cells, and are referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell since they act as the
site for the production of high-energy compounds (e.g. ATP), which are vital energy
source for several cellular processes.
c. Golgi Apparatus - Packing Things Up
d. The Golgi apparatus or Golgi complex is found in most cells. It is another packaging
organelle like the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
e. Ribosome: A minute particle composed of protein and ribonucleic acid (RNA) that serves
as the site of protein synthesis.
f. Lysosome: The purpose of the lysosome is to digest things. They might be used to digest
food or break down the cell when it dies.
g. Receptors: How cells communicate to work together and control growth. Receive first
messengers from extracellular matrix and transfer the message to second messengers
to transmit message within cell.
h. Ion Pumps: move ions across the cell membrane (most important to us
Sodium/Potassium ATPase)
i. Cell Membrane
2. Define:
a. Replication: Occurs in the nucleus. Multiplication of usable DNA for Protein synthesis
b. Transcription: Transferring the DNA message onto mRNA
c. Translation Transferring of genetic code onto proteins
3. Describe: Genetic Expression
a. Different parts of the genome are expressed on each protein. It is regulated by the
nucleus of the cell.
4. Discuss ATP in terms of cellular energy and ion pumps
a. ATP degrades to ADT and to AMP. In the breaking of bonds free energy is released. The
energy can be used to ‘power’ ion pumps (ie. Na+/K+ pump). Without the movement of
sodium and potassium against the gradient, Sodium builds up inside the cell and causes
it to swell. If the pump is not reactivated it can cause the cell to lyse.
5. Use the terms intracellular and extracellular to describe first and second messengers
a. First messengers from the extracellular matrix to bind to intramembranous receptors.
The message is then passed into the cell and transmitted by second messengers via
intracellular matrix.
