What is hypertrophy primarily characterized by?

Hypertrophy is primarily characterized by an increase in cell size, which occurs in response to various stimuli such as increased workload, hormonal signaling, or stress. This physiological response allows cells to enhance their functional capabilities, which is often seen in muscle tissues during resistance training or in the heart under conditions of increased demand, such as hypertension.

The process involves the growth of the cellular components, such as organelles and cytoplasm, leading to larger individual cells. This is different from hyperplasia, which involves an increase in the number of cells, and is distinct from atrophy, where there is a decrease in cell size or overall organ size. Additionally, while metaplasia can involve a change in cell type, this does not pertain to hypertrophy and highlights the unique nature of this particular adaptation.