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1: Cell Physiology

  • Page ID
    114540
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    • 1.1: Objectives
      This page outlines key learning objectives related to cell structure and function, emphasizing the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus. It covers the fluid mosaic model, transport mechanisms, organelle functions, metabolism, and historical milestones in cell discovery. Additionally, it discusses the importance of homeostasis and cell specialization, categorizes organelles, distinguishes protein types, and details metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and respiration.
    • 1.2: The Cell Membrane
      This page explains the role of the cell membrane as a barrier that separates a cell's interior from the outside environment. It regulates substance movement and is characterized as semipermeable or selectively permeable, allowing it to control the entry and exit of materials.
    • 1.3: Membrane Transport
      This page explains the cell membrane's selective permeability, crucial for managing ion, nutrient, and waste concentrations. Small nonpolar substances pass through the lipid bilayer easily, while water-soluble molecules need transporter proteins. It outlines transport methods: passive transport (no energy) and active transport (requires ATP), and notes that a deeper dive into membrane proteins will follow before discussing these transport processes in detail.
    • 1.4: Electrical Activity of the Cell Membrane
      This page discusses how differing ion distributions create a charge at the cell membrane, which is essential for electrical signals such as action potentials in neurons and muscle fibers. It emphasizes the role of ion channels and energy-dependent pumps in generating transmembrane potential and action potentials.
    • 1.5: The Cytoplasm and Cellular Organelles
      This page explains that cells contain a cytoplasmic compartment with cytosol and various organelles that support biochemical reactions. The cytosol's composition varies by cell type, and eukaryotic cells have multiple organelles with specific functions, collectively known as the cytoplasm. The nucleus acts as the control center, storing most of the cell's DNA.
    • 1.6: Cellular Metabolism
      This page explains that the human body is about two-thirds water and contains proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, minerals, and vitamins. Metabolism is divided into catabolism, which breaks down food for energy, and anabolism, which uses that energy to build molecules. These processes are interrelated, with catabolism providing energy for anabolism. The metabolic rate is influenced by age, gender, activity level, genetics, and lifestyle choices.
    • 1.7: References
      This page provides a comprehensive compilation of scholarly works focused on human biology, emphasizing cell membranes, membrane proteins, and cellular processes such as diffusion and endocytosis. It includes historical texts by Hooke and van Leeuwenhoek, recent academic resources from OpenStax, and references on biochemistry and physiology covering topics like the citric acid cycle and protein synthesis.


    This page titled 1: Cell Physiology is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Chaya Gopalan (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI)) .