Final answer:
Atrophy is the shrinkage of cells, hypertrophy is the increase in cell size, hyperplasia is the increase in cell number, metaplasia is the reversible change in cell type, and dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in cell shape and organization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Atrophy:
Atrophy refers to the shrinkage or decrease in size of cells, tissues, or organs due to a decrease in cell number or cell size. An example of atrophy is muscle wasting that occurs when a limb is immobilized.
Hypertrophy:
Hypertrophy is the increase in the size of cells, tissues, or organs due to an increase in cell number or cell size. An example of hypertrophy is the enlargement of skeletal muscles in response to strength training.
Hyperplasia:
Hyperplasia refers to the increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue. It can occur as a result of increased cell division and can lead to the enlargement of the affected tissue.
Metaplasia:
Metaplasia is the reversible change of one cell type to another in response to certain stimuli or conditions. It often occurs in response to injury or irritation. An example of metaplasia is the transformation of the respiratory epithelium in the bronchi of smokers.
Dysplasia:
Dysplasia refers to abnormal changes in cell size, shape, and organization. It can be a precursor to cancer and is often detected through histological examination.