Physiology

Physiology of The Cell

By
Prof.Dr/ AZZA Megahed
 Structure of the cell
– Intended learning outcomes of course (ILOs)
• Knowledge and understanding:

1-Define:- the differences between cells, tissue,

organs
2 – List:- the composition of cell membrane and
protoplasm
3- Describe: - the cellular functions in respect to the cell
membrane structures
4- Differentiate:- between:
-1ry and 2ry active mechanism
- Simple and facilitated diffusion

.
 Introduction
• Medical physiology: is the study of the
normal functions of organs and systems
e.g. the mechanisms of action, regulation the activities in
normal and derangement of functions.
• Applied physiology:
It is the physiology applied to a certain specialty of
medicine e.g. sport medicine, cardiology, ophthalmology,
ect.

• The cell is the basic unit of structure and

function of living organism.
• Tissues :
are group of cells , identical in :
structure and function e.g muscular tissue, renal
tissue.
• Organs :
are collection of different tissues execute the
functions of the organ……. e.g. liver, heart.
System:
Organs are integrated in functions e.g digestive
system, respiratory system
Cells → tissues→ organs→ systems→ body
• Organ system
 Characteristics of cells
• All cells are alike in:
• Chemical construction
• Cell division& new cells can be generate
• The sum of their activity determine the
organism activity
 Structure of the cell
[1] Cell membrane
[2] Protoplasm:
consists of:-
Cytoplasm ,
organelles, nucleus
& 5 basic
substances: water 70%
Protein 20%
electrolyte K+,Na+,Cl-
lipid 2%
CHO 1%
 The cell membrane
(plasma membrane)
• Structure:
1) Phospholipid 2)Protein 3) glycocalyx
Functions of plasma membrane
Phospholipid:

Bilayer each one has head & tail

1- head (Lipid+ phosphate group)

so,
it is hydrophilic =H2o soluble

2- Tail FA hydrophobic= Fat soluble

Functions of plasma membrane proteins:
Two types:
a- integral protein : act as channels,pump
penetrate the whole thickness of the membrane
b- peripheral protein :- act as enzyme,
receptor attached only to outer or inner surface
 Functions of membrane glycocalyx:
CHO combine to protein or lipid
1-Glycocalyx of some cells attached to that of other cell.
2-They act as receptors for hormones e.g. insulin.
3- cell recognition (Immune function)
 The cytoplasm

Cytosol Dispersed particles

large small
Glucose H2o organelles Phospholipid
Protein (ER, Golgi,…) cholestrol
electrolytes
 Transport mechanisms across the cell
membrane
Passive Active

Diffusion Osmosis special

a -Simple diffusion 1ry 2ry

b-Facilitated diffusion
(affected by: conc ,MW
Temp, Cross section
Distance, electric charge, Biological factors
 I- Passive transport

(a) Simple diffusion (b) Facilitated diffusion

- Through the lipid bi-layer - Through protein channels
- Through protein channels - Carrier -mediated
- No Carrier, No energy - No energy
 Types of diffusion
(a) Simple diffusion (b) Facilitated diffusion
-no carrier protein
The rate of diffusion-is influenced by
1-Concentration gradient D α Conc
2-Cross-sectional area
3-Temperature D αT
4-Molecular weight
5-Distance through which diffusion occurs
6-Electrical gradient
7-Biological factors
(02, N2, alcohol and steroids diffuse easily)
-Through the lipid bi-layer e.g. fat soluble substance
- Through protein channels : Leakage & Gated
e.g H2o soluble substance
Leakage- Protein channels

- no gate
-contain water
-Its diameter 7angestrom
-has –ve charge
 Gated- Protein channels

Voltage-gated Ligand-gated
opened or closed by opened or closed by
change of electrical charge across CM binding protein channel
with hormone or ChT
• Blue …leakage channel
red.. ….Na channel has 2 gates (activated outside& inactivated inside)
green ….K channel
 (b) Facilitated diffusion
- Through protein channels
- Carrier –mediated
for configurator or property change
- No energy
-Maximum diffusion is reached by full
saturation of Carrier proteins
 II-Osmosis
• the diffusion of water across cell membrane
from an area of low to an area of high solute
concentration)

Osmotic pressure:
the minimum pressure stop diffusion of
solvent.
 Active transport
the transport of molecules across the cell
membrane against an electrochemical or
concentration gradient.
needs :
 carrier.
 energy
 Enzyme:
ATPase
(conversion of ATP to ADP
 Types of Active transport

1ry 2ry

.
 Normal active transport (Na-K
energy, usually as ATP. ATPase) makes

Example: a strong Na gradient,

Na-K ATPase:  which in turn, powers many
o Present in every cell secondary active transport
mechanisms.
o Pumps 3 Na ions out in
exchange for 2 K ions  Example:
pumped in
Na-Glucose cotransport.
1ry active transport 2ry active transport
Na- glucose transport
Endocytosis and Exocytosis.
a) Endocytosis
• A special type of active transport
• by which, large particles enter the cell,
It include :
a- Pinocytosis (cell drinking).
b- Phagocytosis (cell eating)
 b) Exocytosis
(cell vomiting)

• Special active process,

• By which cell can :-
a-Remove waste b-Secrete hormones.
c-Release chemical transmitters, e.g.
Acetyl choline
 Test your self
Identify the mechanism of transport
across CM
Answer
Thanks