Cellular component

The cell membrane is involved in interaction between cells allowing for the flow of ions and electrical impulses between neighboring cells. Cell-to-cell attachment via specific types of specialized junctions allows for the exchange of proteins and ions. One example is that of epithelial cells that exhibit gap junctions, tight junctions, and desmosomes. Some of these junctions can be mechanically active and contract after a mechanical loading. 

Cell membrane Lipid bilayer, containing surface proteins (peripheral proteins), proteins totally embedded in the membrane (intregal proteins), and glycoproteins partially embedded in the membrane Maintains ionic and chemical concentration gradients, cell-specific markers, intercellular communication, regulates cell growth and proliferation 

Cytosol or cytoplasm Water, ions, soluble proteins Contains enzymes and structures for generation of energy (ATPa) in the absence of oxygen (TCAb cycle), activation of amino acids, carrying out specialized cell functions 

Endoplasmic reticulum Membrane-enclosed channels Involved in transport of proteins for extracellular secretion and modification or detoxification of chemicals 

Mitochondria Contains membrane-lined channels to which enzymes are attached that generate ATP from glucose Involved in TCA cycle, respiratory chain, and oxidative phosphorylation 

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Conditions for the Separation of Selected Cellular Components by Centrifugation... 

Density Gradient Separation. Based on specific density, each cell in a test tube finds its own position (see Fig. 1), ie, red cells at the bottom, then granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, and plasma on top. Table 2 Hsts average mass density of the cellular components of blood. The actual numbers vary slightly from person to person. 

Fig. 5. Separation in Latham bowl (a) whole blood is pumped down the feed tube and enters bowl at bottom (b) centrifugal force spins denser cellular components outside, leaving plasma or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in inner band (c) when bowl is full, plasma flows out effluent tube, followed by platelets and then leukocytes, until bowl is almost completely full of ted cells (d) after draw is completed, bowl stops spinning and uncoUected components are...

Plasma Collection. Human plasma is collected from donors either as a plasma donation, from which the red cells and other cellular components have been removed and returned to the donor by a process known as plasmapheresis, or in the form of a whole blood donation. These are referred to as source plasma and recovered plasma, respectively (Fig. 1). In both instances the donation is collected into a solution of anticoagulant (146) to prevent the donation from clotting and to maintain the stabiUty of the various constituents. Regulations in place to safeguard the donor specify both the frequency of donation and the volume that can be taken on each occasion (147). 

T-Lymphocytes (4,5) and other cellular components of the immune system also have equally wide implications in regulation of the normal immune system. The T-lymphocytes play a central role in the body s response to harmful antigens and tumor—host interaction (4). Responses involve antigens derived from vimses, bacteria, parasites, and tumors. T-ceUs also participate in the immune surveillance response, where self-antigens are recognized, but usually sequestered within the cell and, when exposed, become markers of cellular damage. 

Dmg receptors are chemical entities which are typically, but not exclusively, small molecules that interact with cellular components, frequently at the plasma membrane level (1,2). There are many types of receptors heat, light, immune, hormone, ion channel, toxin, and vims are but a few that can excite a cell. The receptor concept can be appHed generally to signal recognition processes where a chemical or physical signal is recognized. This recognition is translated into response (Fig. 3) and the process can be seen as a flow of information. 

Centrifugation can be used either as a preparative technique for separating and purifying macromolecules and cellular components or as an analytical technique to characterize the hydrodynamic properties of macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. 

This thiol-disulfide interconversion is a key part of numerous biological processes. WeTJ see in Chapter 26, for instance, that disulfide formation is involved in defining the structure and three-dimensional conformations of proteins, where disulfide "bridges" often form cross-links between q steine amino acid units in the protein chains. Disulfide formation is also involved in the process by which cells protect themselves from oxidative degradation. A cellular component called glutathione removes potentially harmful oxidants and is itself oxidized to glutathione disulfide in the process. Reduction back to the thiol requires the coenzyme flavin adenine dinucleotide (reduced), abbreviated FADH2. 

FIGURE 1.2 Schematic diagram of potential drag targets. Molecules can affect the function of numerous cellular components both in the cytosol and on the membrane surface. There are many families of receptors that traverse the cellular membrane and allow chemicals to communicate with the interior of the cell. 

Cellular Components of Adaptive Immune Responses are T- and B-Lymphocytes whereas Humoral Components are Antibodies. 

Acetaminophen causes few adverse reactions when used as directed on the label or recommended by the primary health care provider. Adverse reactions associated with the use of acetaminophen usually occur with chronic use or when the recommended dosage is exceeded. Adverse reactions to acetaminophen include skin eruptions, urticaria (hives), hemolytic anemia, pancytopenia (a reduction in all cellular components of the blood), hypoglycemia, jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), hepatotoxicily (damage to the liver), and hepatic failure (seen in chronic alcoholics taking the drug). 

Administration of trimethadione (Tridione) may result in hematologic changes, such as pancytopenia (decrease in all the cellular components of the blood), leukopenia, aplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenia Also reported are various types of skin rashes, diplopia (double vision), vomiting, changes in blood pressure, CNS depression, photosensitivity, and fatal nephrosis. Because these dm have been associated with serious adverse reactions and fetal malformations, they should be used only when other less toxic dm are not effective in controlling seizures. The oxazolidinediones may precipitate a tonic-clonic seizure... 

Injuries from desiccation are likely to arise from a combination of physical damage to cellular components following water removal, structural and metabolic consequences of increased solute concentration and chemical damage resulting from metabolic disfunction induced by dehydration. 

Target tissue sections from animals sacrificed at 8 hr and later after dosing showed the presence of microspheres in the extravas-cular interstitial tissue. Changes in red blood cells and damage to other cellular components suggest that the cytotoxic properties of adriamycin have been retained. The microspheres appeared to still be intact for up to 72 hr. 

One fact does emerge from the assembled literature, despite its disarray. Palytoxin does not appear to act by binding to one single cellular component to trigger a cascade of responses. Original speculations that it might activate voltage-... 

Phospholipids form bilayers in aqueous media. The molecules form two approximately parallel rows with tails on the inside and heads toward the outside, in contact with the solution. This arrangement, shown in Figure 12-18. is analogous to the vesicles in Figure 12-17. The bilayer forms a closed sac that contains the aqueous cytoplasm and all the cellular components. Thus, a cell can be viewed as a large and complex vesicle. 

Transmethylation is important not only in the biosynthesis of cellular components but also in detoxification. Although the resulting metabolites are less toxic to the cell, they are often more lipophilic and may have serious adverse effects on other biota. Toxic volatile arsenic compounds... 

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