PATH 3610 Lecture 1: Unit 01 – Cell Degeneration and Death
Document Summary
Response is in attempt to maintain normal cell function. When adaptive ability is exceeded = cell death. Disease = malfunctioning organs = sick and injured cells. Multiple biochemical alterations may be triggered by any one injurious insult. The body can do this to maintain homeostasis. Necrosis can only happen in living organism- local cell death (not death of whole body or somatic death) Most important targets of injurious stimuli: mitochondria (site of atp generation, cell membranes (integral to cell and organelle homeostasis, protein synthesis, cytoskeletonm, cell genetic apparatus. Atp = main energy source of the cell. Each of the effects resulting from impaired energy production has potential to worsen the scenario. Cell injury might continue to point where cell injury becomes irreversible. Effects of defective energy production will first affect cells with highest basal metabolic rate (ones with highest demand for oxygen brain cells)