Introduction to Human Disease

HSC 2524

Humberto López Castillo, MD, PhD, CPH, CMI-Spanish

Cell Properties and Function
Textbook, Chap. 2
Learning Objectives
• Describe primary parts of the human cell and their function
• Differentiate between basic and specialized human cell
functions
• Describe the basic principles of cellular homeostatic control
• Identify an example of negative feedback loop in human
physiology
• Explain the role of cell biology across the health sciences
spectrum
Cells
• Basic unit of life
• Preform basic functions necessary to survival
• Building blocks
• Discovery
• Invention of microscope
• Mid-17th century
• Advances in cell physiology
Parts of the Cell
Cell Basics
Plasma (Cell) Membrane
• Selective barrier
• Fluid
• Intracellular fluid (ICF)
• Extracellular fluid (ECF)
• Control of movement into and out of cell
Cell Basics
Nucleus
• Largest single organized unit in cell
• Storage of genetic material
• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
• Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
• Messenger RNA
• Ribosomal RNA
• Transfer RNA
Cell Basics
Cytoplasm
• Location
• Portion of cell not occupied by nucleus
• Composition
• Cytosol
• Organelles dispersed within
From your reading…
Which of the following is NOT a basic part of the human cell:
A. Cell Membrane
B. Cell Wall
C. Cytoplasm
D. Nucleus
Protein Synthesis
Key to life as we know it
Organelles
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
• Functions
• Protein synthesis
• Transportation of materials
• Structures
• Rough ER
• Ribosomes
• Smooth ER
Organelles
Golgi Complex and Lysosomes
• Golgi complex
• “Raw” proteins modified to final form
• Modified proteins sorted and distributed
Organelles
Lysosomes
• Lysosomes
• Digest and eliminate cellular waste
• Peroxisomes
• Contain powerful oxidative enzymes
Organelles
Vaults
• Shape
• Octagonal barrel-shaped structures
• Apparent function
• Transport messenger RNA or ribosomal units
• Transport vesicles
• Direct intracellular transportation
• Regulate cellular movements
• Play role in cell growth and division
Organelles
Mitochondria
• Role
• Derive energy from ingested nutrients
• Convert energy into usable form
• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Organelles
Mitochondria
• Glycolysis
• Not very efficient
• Citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle)
• Series of eight biochemical reactions
• ATP production
• Electron transport chain
• Essential for cellular respiration
Energy Production
Basic Cell Functions
• Necessary for survival of cell itself
• Include
• Obtaining nutrients and oxygen from the environment
• Converting nutrients and oxygen into energy
• Eliminating waste products of such conversions
• Synthesizing proteins for cell growth, structure, and function
• Controlling the exchange of materials in and out of the cell
• Moving materials around within the cell
• Monitoring the environment surrounding the cell
• Reproducing (except for nerve/muscle cell loss from disease/trauma)
Specialized Cell Functions
• Involve modification of basic cell function
• Contribute to survival of system or body
• Muscle cell contractions for movement
• Elimination of waste by kidney cells
• Secretion of digestive enzymes by specialized glands in the digestive
system
• Nerve cell messages to the brain in response to the surrounding
environment
From your reading…
Which of the following is NOT a level of cell organization:
A. Matrices
B. Organs
C. Systems
D. Tissues
Cell Organization
Tissues
• Muscle tissue • Epithelial
• Skeletal • Epithelial sheets
• Cardiac • Secretory glands
• Smooth • Exocrine or endocrine glands

• Nervous tissue • Connective

• Cells (neurons) • Loose connective tissue
• Cell body • Tendons
• Dendrites • Bones
• Axon • Blood
Cell Organization
Organs & Systems
• Two or more types of tissues
• Make up an organ
• Eleven major body systems
• Variety of intercoordinated systems
• Link together to form the whole body
Cell Exchanges
• External environment
• Extracellular fluid
• Plasma
• Interstitial fluid
• Systems that accomplish exchanges
• Digestive system
• Respiratory system
• Circulatory system
Homeostasis
• Maintenance of stable internal environment
• Factors
• Concentration of nutrients
• Concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Concentration of waste products
• Concentration of water and electrolytes
• Temperature
• Volume and pressure
• Redox
Negative Feedback Loop
• Common regulatory mechanism
From your reading…
The HeLa cells in the Case Study in your textbook were sourced
from:
A. Heduvine Lagerfeld
B. Helen Lambert
C. Henrietta Lacks
D. Hens and Lambs
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Questions?