Lecture 7: Physiology I

Course Teacher: Ms. Fizza Zia

Email: Fizzazia@neduet.edu.pk
Review of Previous Lecture
• Central Dogma
• Events involved in protein synthesis
• Structure of Plasma Membrane
• Functions of Lipid Bilayer & membrane
proteins
• Membrane fluidity
Learning Objectives
• To understand cell to cell adhesions
• To study different means of cell
adhesions
• To understand membrane
permeability
• To study membrane potential
 How cells fulfill Life
Processes of Living Organisms
• Cell replication
• Nutrition
• Respiration
• Excretion
• Respond to environment
• Movement
• Grow in number and size
Cell to Cell Adhesions
• Plasma membrane also participates
in cell to cell adhesions.
• Cells are held together by
- Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs)
- Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
- Specialized cell Junctions
Cell Adhesion Molecules
(CAMs)
• Join adjacent cells together
• Belong to 4 major
Protein families
- Cadherins
- Integrins
- Ig Superfamily
- Selectins
Extracellular Matrix
• Serves as biological glue
• Meshwork of fibrous proteins
• Secreted by fibroblasts
Types of protein fibers
• 3 types of proteins
- Collagen
- Elastin
- Fibronectin
 Video Animation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=EqnDH1yes2I
Cell Junctions
• Consist of multiprotein complexes
• 3 types
- Desmosomes
- Tight junctions
- Gap junctions
 Desmosomes
• Strongest cell to cell connections
• 2 components
- Plaque
- Filaments
• Most abundant
in skin, uterus and
heart
 Tight Junctions
• Bind adjacent cells firmly
• Found in sheets
of epithelial tissue
• Impermeable
• Prevent
undesireable leaks
 Gap Junctions
• Exists between adjacent cells
• Cells are linked by connexons
• Connexon contains 6 protein subunits
• Permeable to
small molecules
• Abundant in
cardiac & smooth
muscles.
 Video Animation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=gJ9WTD0XEnc
Membrane Permeability
• Selective Permeability
• Permeable to non-polar molecules
• Impermeable to ions and large
molecules
• Slightly permeable to small polar
molecules
• Transmembrane proteins increase
permeability
Gradients across Plasma
Membrane
• Concentration gradient
• Electrical gradient
• Electrochemical gradient

a b c
Electrochemical Gradient
Membrane Potential
• Separation of opposite
charges across the
plasma membrane
• Separated charges have
the potential to do work
• Measured in millivolt
(mV)
Concept of Potential
• Fundamental to understanding much of
physiology

No membrane potential exists

Concept of Potential
(Contd..)

Membrane potential exists

 Concept of Potential
(Contd..)

Membrane potential accumulates along

surface of membrane
 Concept of Potential
(Contd..)
• Membrane itself is not charged
• Magnitude of potential depends on
number of opposite charges separated
 Video Animation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=kQ_3mI0WYi0&t=8s
Key Takeaways..
• Cell to cell adhesions
• Cells are held together by 3 means
• Desmosomes, tight junctions and
gap junctions
• Membrane Permeability
• Membrane Potential
 References
1. Principles of Anatomy and
Physiology, Tortora & Derrickson,
13th Edition @ 2011
2. Human Physiology: From Cells to
Systems, Lauralee Sherwood, 9th
Edition @ 2014