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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Hyperplasia and Hypertrophy?

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Hyperplasia and hypertrophy are two distinct processes that lead to the growth of cells and tissues. The main differences between them are:

  1. Mechanism: Hypertrophy refers to the increase in the size of individual cells, while hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of cells.
  2. Tissue Type: Hypertrophy typically occurs in relatively permanent tissues without stem cells, such as cardiac, nerve, and adult skeletal muscle tissue. In contrast, hyperplasia occurs in organs with stem cells that can undergo cellular differentiation, such as the intestines, skin, lining of the intestines, liver, and bone marrow.
  3. Stimuli: Hypertrophy is usually triggered by increased demand placed on an organ or tissue, while hyperplasia can be caused by either compensatory (in response to regeneration) or hormonal factors.
  4. Muscle Growth: In the context of muscle growth, hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size of individual muscle fibers, whereas hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of muscle fibers. Hyperplasia in humans is still controversial and may contribute very little (<5%) to absolute muscle growth.

In summary, hyperplasia and hypertrophy are two distinct processes that lead to the growth of cells and tissues. Hyperplasia involves an increase in the number of cells, while hypertrophy involves an increase in the size of individual cells. These processes occur in different types of tissues and are triggered by different factors.

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  • What is the Difference Between Hyperplasia and Hypertrophy?
  • Comparative Table: Hyperplasia vs Hypertrophy

    • Comparative Table: Hyperplasia vs Hypertrophy

    Here is a table comparing the differences between hyperplasia and hypertrophy:

    Feature Hyperplasia Hypertrophy
    Definition Increase in the number of cells due to cell proliferation. Increase in the size of individual cells without cell division.
    Stimulus Excessive cell stimulation. Increased demand.
    Cell Type Occurs in labile cells or stable cells. Occurs in non-dividing cells, such as permanent cells like cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle.
    Organ Occurs in organs with stem cells that can undergo cellular differentiation, like the intestines. Typically occurs in relatively permanent tissues without stem cells, like cardiac, nerve, and adult skeletal muscle tissue.
    Examples 1. Hormonal hyperplasia (e.g., growth of the uterus during pregnancy). 2. Compensatory hyperplasia in organs that regenerate, like the skin, lining of the intestines, the liver, and bone marrow. 1. Physiological (e.g., muscular hypertrophy due to increased workload). 2. Pathological (e.g., changes in gene expression).

    In summary, hyperplasia is characterized by an increase in the number of cells due to cell proliferation, while hypertrophy involves the enlargement of individual cells without cell division. These processes are stimulated by different factors, with hyperplasia being mainly incited by excessive cell stimulation and hypertrophy being mainly incited by increased demand.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.