How Are Cells Damaged?
Cells, the fundamental building blocks of life, can be damaged in various ways. This damage can range from minor disruptions to complete destruction, leading to cell death or dysfunction.
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Physical Agents: Extreme temperatures (heat or cold) can literally "cook" or coagulate cell contents, rendering them non-functional. Radiation, such as UV or ionizing radiation, can also damage cellular components, including DNA. (Reference: Physical agents such as heat or radiation can damage a cell by literally cooking or coagulating their contents.)
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Chemical Agents: Toxins, poisons, and certain drugs can interfere with cellular processes, leading to damage or death. This can involve disruption of cell membranes, damage to DNA, or interference with metabolic pathways. (Reference: A cell injury that can be caused by an infection, a trauma, or a toxin and results in cell death.)
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Infectious Agents: Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites can invade cells, disrupting their normal function and potentially leading to cell death. This can involve direct damage to cellular components or the production of toxins by the infectious agent. (Reference: A cell injury that can be caused by an infection, a trauma, or a toxin and results in cell death.)
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Mechanical Trauma: Physical injury, such as a cut or bruise, can cause direct damage to cells in the affected area. This can involve rupture of cell membranes or disruption of cellular structures. (Reference: A cell injury that can be caused by an infection, a trauma, or a toxin and results in cell death.)
Internal Factors Causing Cell Damage
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Nutrient Deficiency: Lack of essential nutrients, such as oxygen or glucose, can deprive cells of the energy and building blocks needed for survival. This can lead to impaired function and eventually cell death. (Reference: Impaired nutrient supply, such as lack of oxygen or glucose, or impaired production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) may deprive the cell of essential materials needed to survive.)
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Genetic Damage: Mutations in a cell's DNA can disrupt normal cellular processes, leading to malfunction or uncontrolled growth (cancer). The body usually repairs DNA faults, but sometimes the damage is too severe. (References: The body normally eliminates cells with damaged DNA before they turn cancerous. But the body's ability to do so goes down as we age. It is usual for cells to repair faults in their genes. When the damage is very bad, tumour suppressor genes may stop the cell growing and…)
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Cellular Aging: As cells age, their ability to repair damage and function efficiently declines. This leads to an accumulation of damage and eventual cell death. (Reference: Cell death occurs when cells get old or damaged.)
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Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, are responsible for energy production. Damage to mitochondria can lead to impaired energy production and cell dysfunction. (Reference: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can cause lasting damage to energy production by mitochondria in many organs of the body.)
Types of Cell Death
Several distinct processes lead to cell death, including apoptosis (programmed cell death), necrosis (unprogrammed cell death), and autophagy (self-eating). Apoptosis is a regulated process of cell suicide, crucial for development and eliminating damaged cells. Necrosis is typically a consequence of injury or infection and is characterized by cell swelling and rupture. (Reference: Apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis are the main types of cell death.)
