Chapter 7:

Introduction to Cell Physiology

Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chemotherapeutic Drugs #1
 Alter cellular function or disrupting cellular integrity,
causing cell death
 Prevent cellular reproduction, eventually leading to cell
death

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Chemotherapeutic Drugs #2
 To destroy organisms that invade the body
o Bacteria, viruses, parasites, protozoa, fungi
 To destroy abnormal cells within the body
o Neoplasms or cancers

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Chemotherapeutic Drugs #3
 May alter the cell membrane, causing the cell to rupture
and die
 May deprive the cell of certain nutrients, altering the
proteins that the cell produces and interfering with
normal cell functioning and cell division
 May affect the normal cells of patients to some extent as
well.

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Parts of Human Cell #1
 Nucleus
 Cell Membrane
 Cytoplasm

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Parts of Human Cell #2

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Cell Nucleus
 Contains genetic material
o Necessary for cell reproduction
o Regulates cellular production of proteins
 Each cell is “programmed” by the genes for the
production of specific proteins
o Allows the cell to carry out its function
o Maintains cell homeostasis or stability
o Promotes cell division

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Cell Membrane #1
 Surrounds the cell
 Separates the intracellular fluid from the extracellular
fluid
 Essential for cellular integrity

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Components of Cell Membrane
 Cell membrane is made up of lipids and proteins
 Several lipids make up the cell membrane
o Phospholipids
o Glycolipids
o Cholesterol
 Lipid layer provides a barrier for the cell and maintains
homeostasis of the cell

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Cell Membrane #2

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Receptor Sites
 Found on the cell membrane
 Specific receptor sites that allow interaction with various
chemicals

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Identifying Markers
 Surface antigens
 Important in the role of cellular immunity
 Histocompatibility proteins that allow for self-
identification
 The body’s immune system recognizes these proteins and
acts to protect self-cells and to destroy non-self-cells.

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Channels
 Channels or pores that allow for the passage of
substances into and out of the cell
 Some drugs are designed to affect certain channels
within the cell

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Question #1
Tell whether the following statement is true or false.

Each cell has a pre-ordained program produced by it’s

genes that allow for cell division.

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Answer to Question #1
True

Rationale: Each cell is “programmed” by the genes or

sequences of DNA that allow for cell division, produce
specific proteins that allow the cell to carry out its
function, and maintain cell homeostasis or stability.

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Organelles of the Cytoplasm
 Mitochondria
 Endoplasmic Reticulum
 Free Ribosomes
 Golgi Apparatus
 Lyposomes

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Cell Properties
 Endocytosis
o Involves incorporation of material into the cell
o Pinocytosis and phagocytosis occur
 Exocytosis
o Removing substances from a cell to pushing them
through the cell membrane and secrete the
substance outside the cell
o Hormones, neurotransmitters, and enzymes are
excreted into the body by this process

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Homeostasis of the Cell
 Passive Transport
o Happens without the expenditure of energy and can
occur across any semi-permeable membrane
o Occurs by diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion
 Active Transport
o Energy-requiring process
o Movement of particular substances against a
concentration gradient
o Important in maintaining cell homeostasis

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Passive Transport
 Diffusion
o Does not require energy
o The movement of solutes from a region of high
concentration to a region of lower concentration
across a concentration gradient
 Osmosis
o Does not require energy
o Movement of water from an area low in solutes to an
area high in solutes

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Phases of the Cell Cycle
 G0 Phase
o Resting phase
 G1 Phase
o Gathering phase
 S Phase
o Synthesizing phase
 G2 Phase
o Last substances needed for division are collected and
produced
 M Phase
o Actual cell division occurs, producing two identical
daughter cells
Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved
Question #2
What phase of the cell cycle follows the S phase?
a. Go phase
b. G1phase
c. G2 phase
d. M phase

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Answer to Question #2

C. G2 phase

Rationale: After the cellular DNA has doubled in

preparation for replication, the G2 phase begins. During
this phase, the cell produces all the substances required
for manufacture of the mitotic spindles.

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved

Cell Physiology

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved