What are the differences between reversible and irreversible cell injury?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation
Reversible cell injury
Irreversible cell injury

Definition

Reversible cell injury is defined as cellular injury that can regain homeostasis and return to a morphologically and functional normal state

Is an injury to a cell that causes morphological changes that are permanent, and typically to the inner mechanisms of the cell

Duration of injury

Reversible cell injury an typically be stopped by removing or destroying the stimulus causing damage

Irreversible cell injury progresses and cannot return to normal state

Type of injury involved

Is typically the result of the beginning stages of lack of oxygen (hypoxia) and lack of blood flow to cells

It involves more agents such as viruses, genetic disadvantages, or immunological stimuli

Cellular Response

Reversible cell injury results in cellular swelling, cellular blebbing, fat accumulation

Results in acidosis of the cellular environment, destruction of vital organelles and damage to membranes

Tissue response

Reversible cell injury causes noticeable swelling and increase in surface area at tissues

Irreversible cell injury causes necrosis and cell death

Recovery

Reversible cell injury is pharmacologically treatable and recovery is possible

Irreversible cell injury causes permanent cell loss and death

Mitochondrial changes

Causes swelling and accumulation of phospholipid rich densities

Causes swelling and leakage of cytochrome C into the cell cytoplasm

Nucleus/chromatin response

Causes the formation of fibular elements in the nucleus

Causes the dissolution of chromatin

Basis of differentiation	Reversible cell injury	Irreversible cell injury
Definition	Reversible cell injury is defined as cellular injury that can regain homeostasis and return to a morphologically and functional normal state	Is an injury to a cell that causes morphological changes that are permanent, and typically to the inner mechanisms of the cell
Duration of injury	Reversible cell injury an typically be stopped by removing or destroying the stimulus causing damage	Irreversible cell injury progresses and cannot return to normal state
Type of injury involved	Is typically the result of the beginning stages of lack of oxygen (hypoxia) and lack of blood flow to cells	It involves more agents such as viruses, genetic disadvantages, or immunological stimuli
Cellular Response	Reversible cell injury results in cellular swelling, cellular blebbing, fat accumulation	Results in acidosis of the cellular environment, destruction of vital organelles and damage to membranes
Tissue response	Reversible cell injury causes noticeable swelling and increase in surface area at tissues	Irreversible cell injury causes necrosis and cell death
Recovery	Reversible cell injury is pharmacologically treatable and recovery is possible	Irreversible cell injury causes permanent cell loss and death
Mitochondrial changes	Causes swelling and accumulation of phospholipid rich densities	Causes swelling and leakage of cytochrome C into the cell cytoplasm
Nucleus/chromatin response	Causes the formation of fibular elements in the nucleus	Causes the dissolution of chromatin

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