Cell injury and adaptation

In this talk, we turn our attention to cell injury and adaptation framing our discussion around the balance between cellular survival, adaptation and injury in response to various stresses. The different causes and mechanisms underlying cell injury, the ways cells adapt to sub-lethal stress, including hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy and metaplasia and the distinction between reversible and irreversible injury with outcomes ranging from recovery to cell death and organ dysfunction. Cells exist in a delicate balance exposed to various physiological and pathological stimuli. When stressed, cells attempt to adapt. But excessive or prolonged stress may lead to injury or death. Understanding cellular responses to harmful stimuli from initial adaptation to severe injury is fundamental to pathophysiology. This lecture will explore types, mechanisms, adaptation, reversible versus irreversible injury and cell death. Cell injury results from diverse stimuli categorized as physical, chemical or biological insults. Physical injuries such as trauma, temperature extremes or radiation disrupt cellular integrity. Chemical injuries from toxins, drugs or excess oxygen interfere with metabolism or cell structures. Hypoxia, a lack of adequate oxygen is a major cause underlying events like myocardial infarction and stroke. Biological agents, nutritional imbalances,