Chapter 03 - Basic Cell Physiology

Question 1

acidosis

Answer 1

A pathologic condition resulting from the accumulation of acids in the body.

Question 2

alkalosis

Answer 2

A pathologic condition resulting from the accumulation of bases in the body.

Question 3

anion

Answer 3

An ion that contains an overall negative charge.

Question 4

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Answer 4

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that signals the kidneys to prevent excretion of water.

Question 5

buffers

Answer 5

A substance or group of substances that controls the hydrogen levels in a solution.

Question 6

capillary beds

Answer 6

The terminal ends of the vascular system where fluids, food, and wastes are exchanged between the vascular system and the cells of the body.

Question 7

cation

Answer 7

An ion that contains an overall positive charge.

Question 8

cellular perfusion

Answer 8

The ability of a cell to take in and maintain water levels.

Question 9

concentration gradient

Answer 9

The natural tendency for substances to flow from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, either within the cell or outside the cell.

Question 10

depolarization

Answer 10

The rapid movement of electrolytes across a cell membrane that changes the cells overall charge. This rapid shifting of electrolytes and cellular charges is the main catalyst for muscle contractions and neural transmissions.

Question 11

diffusion

Answer 11

A process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Question 12

edema

Answer 12

The presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid i the extracellular spaces of body tissues, causing swelling of the affected area.

Question 13

electrolytes

Answer 13

Charged atoms or compounds that result from the loss or gain of an election. Electrolytes are ions that the body uses to perform certain critical metabolic processes.

Question 14

fluid reserves

Answer 14

Areas in the body from which fluid can be “borrowed” to maintain vascular volume.

Question 15

hydrophilic

Answer 15

Water-loving

Question 16

hydrophobic

Answer 16

Water-fearing

Question 17

hyperkalemia

Answer 17

High levels of potassium.

Question 18

hypercalcemia

Answer 18

High serum calcium levels.

Question 19

hypertonic solution

Answer 19

A solution that has a higher concentration of sodium that does the cell; the increased extracellular osmotic pressure lets water flow into the cell, causing it to swell and possible burst.

Question 20

interstitial

Answer 20

Water between the vascular system and the surrounding cells (for example, between the membranes of two cells located outside the vascular compartment in the body).

Question 21

intravascular

Answer 21

The water portion of the circulatory system surrounding the blood cells (for example, in the heart, arteries, or veins).

Question 22

ions

Answer 22

Charged atoms or compounds that result from the loss or gain of an electron.

Question 23

hypocalcemia

Answer 23

Low serum calcium levels.

Question 24

hypokalemia

Answer 24

Low levels of potassium.

Question 25

isotonic solution

Answer 25

A solution that has the same concentration of sodium as does the cell. In this case, water does not shift, and no change in cell shape occurs.

Question 26

lysis

Answer 26

The rupturing of a cell caused by either the presence of certain enzymes or the uncontrolled influx of material into the cell.

Question 27

metabolic

Answer 27

The breakdown of ingested foodstuffs into smaller and smaller molecules and atoms that are used as energy sources for cellular function.

Question 28

osmosis

Answer 28

The diffusion of water across a cell membrane.

Question 29

osmotic pressure

Answer 29

Pressure created against the cell wall by the presence of water.

Question 30

pH

Answer 30

A measure of acidity of a solution.

Question 31

phospholipid bilayer

Answer 31

The cell membranes double layer, consisting of a hydrophilic outer layer composed of phosphate groups, and a hydrophobic inner layer made up of lipids, or fatty acids. It is this structure and composition that allows the cell membrane to have selective permeability.

Question 32

selective permeability

Answer 32

The ability of the cell membrane to selectively allow compounds into the cell based on the cells current needs.

Question 33

sodium/potassium (NA+/K+) pump

Answer 33

The mechanism by which the cell brings in two potassium (K+) ions and releases three sodium (NA+) ions.

Question 34

tonicity

Answer 34

The osmotic pressure of a solution, based on the relationship between sodium and water inside and outside the cell, that takes advantage of their chemical and osmotic properties to move water to areas of higher sodium concentration.