Cell Biology Quiz on Cellular Characteristics

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic of epithelial or haematopoietic cells in their normal state?

They are predominantly in the G0 phase.

They do not engage in proliferation.

They undergo limited cell division.

They are actively dividing through the cell cycle: G1 – M - G1. (correct)

Which type of cell population is characterized by a resting state in G0 and can proliferate when necessary?

Haematopoietic cell populations

Epithelial cell populations

Permanent cell populations

Stable cell populations (correct)

What is the term used for an increase in cell number within a tissue or organ?

Hyperplasia (correct)

Atrophy

Metaplasia

Hypertrophy

What causes physiological hyperplasia in the female breast?

Hormonal stimulation during puberty and pregnancy Signup and view all the answers

Pathological hyperplasia is often associated with which of the following factors?

Excessive hormone or growth factor stimulation Signup and view all the answers

What is hypertrophy primarily characterized by?

Increased cell size Signup and view all the answers

Which cells are generally associated with permanent cell populations and exhibit limited proliferative response?

Cardiac myocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is atrophy primarily defined as?

Decrease in the size of a cell or tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of receptors in cellular communication?

They convert signals from one form to another. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of receptor is important for cell proliferation?

Receptor tyrosine-kinases Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of GTP-binding proteins in cell signaling?

They act as molecular switches. Signup and view all the answers

What critical checkpoint occurs towards the end of the G1 phase in the cell cycle?

Restriction (R) point Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is classified as a local mediator in cellular signaling?

Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary activity occurring during interphase of the cell cycle?

DNA replication and protein synthesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about labile cell populations is true?

They include stem cells that divide persistently. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to G-proteins when they hydrolyze GTP to GDP?

They turn themselves off. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of hypertrophy in striated muscle cells?

Synthesis of more cellular structural components Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario is an example of physiological hypertrophy?

Uterine enlargement during pregnancy Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes atrophy?

Shrinkage in the size of the cell by loss of substance Signup and view all the answers

Metaplasia involves which type of cellular change?

Replacement of one adult cell type with another Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential cause of atrophy?

Loss of innervation Signup and view all the answers

Why can metaplasia be considered a double-edged sword?

It may provide survival advantages but can predispose to cancer. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about pathological hypertrophy is true?

It is often a response to increased functional demand. Signup and view all the answers

What might trigger the process of metaplasia in epithelial tissues?

Chronic irritation from harmful stimuli Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cellular Adaptations

Cellular adaptations are crucial responses to changing physiological conditions or stimuli.
Objectives for this session include describing cell signaling pathways,introducing the cell cycle, and focusing on adaptive responses in cell growth and differentiation.

Control of Cell Growth

Cells in multicellular organisms communicate via chemical signals.
Hormones act over long distances.
Local mediators are secreted into the local environment (paracrine/autocrine).
Some cells communicate directly through cell-to-cell contact.

Cell Signaling Pathways

Extracellular signaling molecules bind to receptors to stimulate cells.
Each receptor recognizes a specific protein (ligand).
Receptors convert signals from one form to another.

Signaling Molecules

Hormones, such as insulin and cortisol, are signaling molecules.
Local mediators, including EGF, PDGF, FGF, TGFβ, cytokines (e.g., interferons, TNF), are also signaling molecules.

Receptors

Two main receptor types are important in cell growth: G-protein-linked receptors and enzyme-linked receptors.

G-protein-linked Receptors

These receptors activate GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins).
G-proteins act as molecular switches, turning on for brief periods while bound to GTP.
They switch off by hydrolyzing GTP to GDP.

Enzyme-Linked Receptors

These receptors possess intracellular domains with enzyme functions, often receptor tyrosine-kinases.
Activated by growth factors, playing crucial roles in cell proliferation.
Some activate a small GTP-binding protein, Ras (important in cancer).

The Cell Cycle

The eukaryotic cell cycle involves distinct phases, most dramatically nuclear (mitosis) and cytoplasmic (cytokinesis) division, labeled M phase.
The rest, interphase, appears uneventful; but within it, DNA replicates, genes are transcribed, and proteins are synthesized for cell growth.
The restriction (R) point, towards the end of G1, is a vital checkpoint.
Progression past the R point is governed by phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb).

Cell Populations (Labile, Stable, Permanent)

Labile: Stem cells actively divide to replace lost cells (e.g., epithelial, hematopoietic).
Stable: Cells resting in G0 but can rapidly proliferate when needed, including hepatocytes and fibroblasts.
Permanent: Cells (e.g., neurons, cardiac myocytes) unable to effectively divide in response to cell loss.

Growth and Differentiation Responses

Hyperplasia: Increase in cell numbers above normal in tissues or organs.
Hypertrophy: Increase in cell size, leading to larger tissue or organs.
Atrophy: Decrease in cell size and organ size due to loss of cell substance.
Metaplasia: Reversible change of one differentiated cell type to another.

Hyperplasia: Causes

Can only occur in labile or stable cell populations.
May arise from physiological (e.g., hormonal) or pathological (e.g., excessive hormone/growth factor stimulation) factors.
Physiological: hormonal effects during puberty/pregnancy; compensatory growth after tissue loss.
Pathological: excessive hormones/growth factors, often associated with cancer risk (e.g., prostate, endometrium).

Hypertrophy: Causes

Occurs usually in permanent cells.
Due to synthesis of more cellular structural components.
Results from physiological (e.g., hormonal stretching of uterus) or pathological (e.g., increased workload on heart) stimuli.

Atrophy: Causes

Reduced workload, immobilization, loss of innervation, reduced blood supply, inadequate nutrition, loss of endocrine stimulation, and aging.

Metaplasia: Causes

Adaptive response to certain stimuli.
New cell type better suited to the stimulus; may later, though, develop into cancer.
Often occurs in response to chronic irritation or injury.
Example: squamous metaplasia in the respiratory system of smokers.

Metaplasia: Types

Squamous metaplasia in the respiratory system of smokers.

Additional Cellular Processes

Aplasia: Complete failure of tissue or organ development.
Hypoplasia: Incomplete development of tissue or organ.
Dysplasia: Abnormal maturation of cells within a tissue.

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Description

Test your knowledge of cellular characteristics, including topics like hyperplasia, hypertrophy, and the role of receptors in cellular communication. This quiz covers essential concepts related to epithelial and haematopoietic cells, their behaviors, and signaling mechanisms. Perfect for students studying cell biology and its implications in physiology.