Pathology Definition - Is the cytoplasm of injured cells acidic or alkaline?
Is the cytoplasm of injured cells acidic or alkaline?
Cell injury is accompanied by the lowering of intracellular pH from the normal neutral to the acidic
range. For example, the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation promotes anaerobic glycolysis,
which is accompanied by accumulation of lactic acid in the cytoplasm. Phosphates released from
phospholipids and ATP contribute further to the acidification of the cytoplasm. Acidic milieu inhibits
the activity of most enzymes except those in the lysosomes, which function most efficiently in the
acid pH. The release of acid hydrolases from the lysosomes may further contribute to cell injury.
Cell injury is accompanied by the lowering of intracellular pH from the normal neutral to the acidic
range. For example, the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation promotes anaerobic glycolysis,
which is accompanied by accumulation of lactic acid in the cytoplasm. Phosphates released from
phospholipids and ATP contribute further to the acidification of the cytoplasm. Acidic milieu inhibits
the activity of most enzymes except those in the lysosomes, which function most efficiently in the
acid pH. The release of acid hydrolases from the lysosomes may further contribute to cell injury.
