Practice Questions with Rationales
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which of the following is a characteristic of hypertrophy?
o A) Decrease in cell size
o B) Increase in cell size
o C) Increase in the number of cells
o D) Replacement of one cell type with another
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size.
Option A describes atrophy, option C describes hyperplasia, and option D
describes metaplasia.
2. What is the primary function of mitochondria in the cell?
o A) Protein synthesis
o B) Genetic material storage
o C) Energy production
o D) Lipid synthesis
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Mitochondria are responsible for energy
production. Option A is the function of ribosomes, option B is the function of the
nucleus, and option D is the function of the endoplasmic reticulum.
Short-Answer Questions
1. Explain the difference between apoptosis and necrosis.
Rationale: Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs in a
controlled manner, allowing the cell to die without causing harm to the
surrounding tissue. Necrosis, on the other hand, is uncontrolled cell death that
often results from injury or disease, leading to inflammation and damage to
surrounding tissues.
2. Describe the process of cellular adaptation and provide an example.
Rationale: Cellular adaptation is the process by which cells undergo changes in
response to stress or environmental changes. An example is hypertrophy, where
cells increase in size to meet increased functional demands, such as the
enlargement of muscle cells in response to weightlifting.
, Clinical Scenario
Case Study: A 55-year-old male presents with chest pain and shortness of breath.
He has a history of hypertension and smoking. Laboratory tests reveal elevated
cardiac enzymes.
Questions:
1. What is the likely diagnosis?
o Myocardial infarction (heart attack) due to ischemia and hypoxia.
2. What are the potential complications?
o Heart failure, arrhythmias, and further tissue necrosis.
3. What treatment options should be considered?
o Oxygen therapy, medications to reduce heart workload, and lifestyle changes to
address risk factors.
3. Which of the following best describes metaplasia?
o A) Increase in cell size
o B) Decrease in cell size
o C) Replacement of one cell type with another
o D) Abnormal cell growth
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Metaplasia involves the replacement of one
cell type with another. Option A describes hypertrophy, option B describes
atrophy, and option D describes dysplasia.
4. What is the primary cause of hypoxia in cells?
o A) Excessive free radicals
o B) Lack of oxygen
o C) Genetic defects
o D) Nutritional imbalances
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Hypoxia is primarily caused by a lack of
oxygen. Options A, C, and D can contribute to cell injury but are not the primary
cause of hypoxia.
5. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of
cells?
o A) Atrophy
o B) Hypertrophy
o C) Hyperplasia
o D) Dysplasia
, Rationale: The correct answer is C. Hyperplasia refers to an increase in the
number of cells. Option A describes a decrease in cell size, option B describes an
increase in cell size, and option D describes abnormal cell growth.
6. What is the role of the Golgi apparatus in the cell?
o A) Energy production
o B) Protein and lipid synthesis
o C) Genetic material storage
o D) Protein modification and packaging
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The Golgi apparatus is involved in the
modification and packaging of proteins. Option A is the function of mitochondria,
option B is the function of the endoplasmic reticulum, and option C is the function
of the nucleus.
7. Which type of cell death is characterized by inflammation and damage to
surrounding tissues?
o A) Apoptosis
o B) Necrosis
o C) Autophagy
o D) Pyroptosis
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Necrosis is characterized by inflammation and
damage to surrounding tissues. Apoptosis is a controlled form of cell death,
autophagy involves the degradation of cellular components, and pyroptosis is a
form of programmed cell death associated with inflammation.
8. What is the main function of the cell membrane?
o A) Energy production
o B) Protein synthesis
o C) Barrier and gatekeeper
o D) Genetic material storage
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The cell membrane functions as a barrier and
gatekeeper. Option A is the function of mitochondria, option B is the function of
ribosomes, and option D is the function of the nucleus.
9. Which of the following is a sign of cellular injury?
o A) Increased cell size
o B) Lipid accumulation
o C) Increased cell number
o D) Replacement of cell type
, Rationale: The correct answer is B. Lipid accumulation is a sign of cellular injury.
Option A describes hypertrophy, option C describes hyperplasia, and option D
describes metaplasia.
10.What is oxidative stress?
o A) Damage caused by lack of oxygen
o B) Damage caused by free radicals
o C) Damage caused by genetic defects
o D) Damage caused by nutritional imbalances
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Oxidative stress is damage caused by free
radicals. Option A describes hypoxia, option C describes genetic defects, and
option D describes nutritional imbalances.
11.Which cellular adaptation involves abnormal cell growth?
o A) Atrophy
o B) Hypertrophy
o C) Hyperplasia
o D) Dysplasia
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Dysplasia involves abnormal cell growth.
Option A describes a decrease in cell size, option B describes an increase in cell
size, and option C describes an increase in the number of cells.
12.What is the primary function of the nucleus in the cell?
o A) Energy production
o B) Protein synthesis
o C) Genetic material storage
o D) Lipid synthesis
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The nucleus stores genetic material. Option A
is the function of mitochondria, option B is the function of ribosomes, and option
D is the function of the endoplasmic reticulum.
13.Which of the following is a cause of cell injury?
o A) Hypoxia
o B) Increased cell size
o C) Increased cell number
o D) Replacement of cell type
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Hypoxia is a cause of cell injury. Options B,
C, and D describe cellular adaptations.
14.What is apoptosis?
o A) Uncontrolled cell death
