Introduction To Cell Physiology
Introduction To Cell Physiology
Introduction To Cell Physiology
Chemotherapeutic Agents
Alter cellular function or disrupt cellular
integrity, causing cell death
Prevent cellular reproduction, eventually
leading to cell death
Chemotherapeutic Drugs
Destroy organisms that invade the body
Bacteria, viruses, parasites, protozoa, fungi
Destroy abnormal cells within the body
Neoplasms and cancers
Structure of a Cell
Cell Nucleus
Contains genetic material
Necessary for cell reproduction
Regulates cellular production of proteins
Each cell is programmed by the genes for the
production of specific proteins
Allows the cell to carry out its function
Maintains cell homeostasis or stability
Promotes cell division
Copyright 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Cell Membrane
Surrounds the cell
Separates the intracellular fluid from the
extracellular fluid
Essential for cellular integrity
Receptor Sites
Found on the cell membrane
Specific receptor sites allow interaction with
various chemicals
Identifying Markers
Surface antigens
Important in the role of cellular immunity
Histocompatibility proteins allow for selfidentification
The bodys immune system recognizes these
proteins and acts to protect self-cells and to
destroy nonself-cells
Copyright 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Channels
Channels or pores allow for the passage of
substances into and out of the cell
Some drugs are designed to affect certain
channels within the cell
Cell Properties
Endocytosis
Involves incorporation of material into the cell
Pinocytosis and phagocytosis occur
Exocytosis
Allows a cell to move a substance to the cell
membrane and secrete the substance outside the
cell
Hormones, neurotransmitters, and enzymes are
excreted into the body by this process
Copyright 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Passive Transport
Diffusion
Does not require energy
The movement of solutes from a region of high
concentration to a region of lower concentration
across a concentration gradient
Osmosis
Does not require energy
Movement of water from an area low in solutes
to an area high in solutes
Copyright 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Cell Cycle
Cell Physiology
May alter the cell membrane, causing the cell to
rupture and die
May deprive the cell of certain nutrients,
altering the proteins that the cell produces and
interfering with normal cell functioning and cell
division
May affect the normal cells of patients to some
extent
Copyright 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Chapter 8
Anti-infective Agents
Mechanisms of Action
Interfere with biosynthesis of the bacterial cell
wall
Prevent the cells of the invading organism from
using substances essential to their growth and
development
Interfere with steps involved in protein synthesis
Anti-infective Activity
Anti-infectives vary in their effectiveness against
invading organisms
Some are selective: they are effective only for a
small number of organisms
Bactericidal: kill the cell
Bacteriostatic: prevent reproduction of the cell
Resistance
Anti-infectives act on a specific enzyme system
or biological process; many microorganisms that
do not act on a specific system are not affected
by the particular drug
This is considered natural or intrinsic resistance
to that drug
Acquired Resistance
Microorganisms that were once sensitive to the
particular drug have begun to develop acquired
resistance
This results in serious clinical problems
Preventing Resistance
Limit the use of antimicrobial agents to the
treatment of specific pathogens sensitive to the
drug being used
Make sure doses are high enough, and the
duration of drug therapy long enough
Be cautious about the indiscriminate use of antiinfectives
Copyright 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Sensitivity of Pathogen
Shows which drugs are capable of controlling the
particular microorganism
Important to be done for microorganisms that
have known resistant strains
Along with a culture, identifies the pathogen and
appropriate drug for treatment
Combination Therapy
Use of a smaller dosage of each drug
Some drugs are synergistic
In infections caused by more than one organism,
each pathogen may react to a different antiinfective agent
Sometimes, the combined effects of the different
drugs delay the emergence of resistant strains
Copyright 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Adverse Reactions to
Anti-infective Therapy
Kidney damage
Gastrointestinal (GI) tract toxicity
Neurotoxicity
Hypersensitivity reactions
Superinfections
Copyright 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.