,NSG 530 Exam 1| Advanced Pathophysiology |
Wilkes University | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
(PDF)
1. Which of the following are the three major components of eukaryotic cells?
A) Nucleus, ribosomes, and cell membrane
B) Nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria
C) Nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
D) Cell membrane, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: Nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
Rationale: The three major components of eukaryotic cells are the nucleus (control center containing
DNA), the cytoplasm (contains water, electrolytes, proteins, and fats), and the cell membrane
(semipermeable phospholipid bilayer with protein receptor sites). Ribosomes and mitochondria are
organelles found within the cytoplasm, not primary cellular components.
2. Which organelle is responsible for creating ATP and is known as the "powerhouse of the cell"?
A) Ribosomes
B) Golgi apparatus
C) Lysosomes
D) Mitochondria
Correct Answer: Mitochondria
Rationale: Mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration and ATP production through oxidative
phosphorylation. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, the Golgi apparatus packages substances for excretion,
and lysosomes break down substances for reuse.
3. During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
,A) Prophase
B) G1 phase
C) S phase
D) Telophase
Correct Answer: S phase
Rationale: The S phase (synthesis phase) of interphase is when DNA replication occurs, duplicating the
genetic material in preparation for cell division. During G1, the cell grows and performs normal
functions; during G2, it prepares for mitosis. Prophase and telophase are stages of mitosis.
4. Which cellular structure contains digestive enzymes for intracellular digestion?
A) Peroxisomes
B) Lysosomes
C) Ribosomes
D) Proteasomes
Correct Answer: Lysosomes
Rationale: Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes (hydrolases) that break down cellular waste, foreign
particles, and damaged organelles through intracellular digestion. When released during cell injury,
these enzymes cause autodigestion (autolysis) of the cell.
5. What is the primary distinction between atrophy and hypertrophy at the cellular level?
A) Atrophy involves a decrease in cell number while hypertrophy involves an increase in cell number
B) Atrophy is a decrease in cell size while hypertrophy is an increase in cell size
C) Atrophy occurs only in muscle tissue while hypertrophy occurs only in cardiac tissue
D) Atrophy is reversible while hypertrophy is irreversible
Correct Answer: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size while hypertrophy is an increase in cell size
, Rationale: Atrophy is characterized by a decrease in cell size resulting from reduced workload,
denervation, ischemia, or malnutrition. Hypertrophy involves an increase in cell size due to increased
functional demand or hormonal stimulation. Both are adaptive cellular responses that can be reversible
if the stimulus is removed.
6. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Metaplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, typically occurring in
response to hormonal stimulation or increased functional demand. Unlike hypertrophy (cell
enlargement), hyperplasia involves cellular proliferation. It can be physiologic (e.g., uterine enlargement
during pregnancy) or pathologic.
7. A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease develops replacement of normal stratified
squamous epithelium with columnar epithelium in the lower esophagus. Which cellular adaptation best
describes this change?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Anaplasia
Correct Answer: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one differentiated cell type is replaced by another
cell type better suited to withstand adverse environmental conditions. In Barrett's esophagus, chronic
acid exposure causes squamous epithelium to be replaced by columnar epithelium, which is more
resistant to acid injury but carries an increased risk of malignancy.
Wilkes University | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition
(PDF)
1. Which of the following are the three major components of eukaryotic cells?
A) Nucleus, ribosomes, and cell membrane
B) Nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria
C) Nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
D) Cell membrane, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: Nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
Rationale: The three major components of eukaryotic cells are the nucleus (control center containing
DNA), the cytoplasm (contains water, electrolytes, proteins, and fats), and the cell membrane
(semipermeable phospholipid bilayer with protein receptor sites). Ribosomes and mitochondria are
organelles found within the cytoplasm, not primary cellular components.
2. Which organelle is responsible for creating ATP and is known as the "powerhouse of the cell"?
A) Ribosomes
B) Golgi apparatus
C) Lysosomes
D) Mitochondria
Correct Answer: Mitochondria
Rationale: Mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration and ATP production through oxidative
phosphorylation. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, the Golgi apparatus packages substances for excretion,
and lysosomes break down substances for reuse.
3. During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
,A) Prophase
B) G1 phase
C) S phase
D) Telophase
Correct Answer: S phase
Rationale: The S phase (synthesis phase) of interphase is when DNA replication occurs, duplicating the
genetic material in preparation for cell division. During G1, the cell grows and performs normal
functions; during G2, it prepares for mitosis. Prophase and telophase are stages of mitosis.
4. Which cellular structure contains digestive enzymes for intracellular digestion?
A) Peroxisomes
B) Lysosomes
C) Ribosomes
D) Proteasomes
Correct Answer: Lysosomes
Rationale: Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes (hydrolases) that break down cellular waste, foreign
particles, and damaged organelles through intracellular digestion. When released during cell injury,
these enzymes cause autodigestion (autolysis) of the cell.
5. What is the primary distinction between atrophy and hypertrophy at the cellular level?
A) Atrophy involves a decrease in cell number while hypertrophy involves an increase in cell number
B) Atrophy is a decrease in cell size while hypertrophy is an increase in cell size
C) Atrophy occurs only in muscle tissue while hypertrophy occurs only in cardiac tissue
D) Atrophy is reversible while hypertrophy is irreversible
Correct Answer: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size while hypertrophy is an increase in cell size
, Rationale: Atrophy is characterized by a decrease in cell size resulting from reduced workload,
denervation, ischemia, or malnutrition. Hypertrophy involves an increase in cell size due to increased
functional demand or hormonal stimulation. Both are adaptive cellular responses that can be reversible
if the stimulus is removed.
6. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Metaplasia
C) Hyperplasia
D) Dysplasia
Correct Answer: Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, typically occurring in
response to hormonal stimulation or increased functional demand. Unlike hypertrophy (cell
enlargement), hyperplasia involves cellular proliferation. It can be physiologic (e.g., uterine enlargement
during pregnancy) or pathologic.
7. A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease develops replacement of normal stratified
squamous epithelium with columnar epithelium in the lower esophagus. Which cellular adaptation best
describes this change?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Metaplasia
C) Dysplasia
D) Anaplasia
Correct Answer: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible change in which one differentiated cell type is replaced by another
cell type better suited to withstand adverse environmental conditions. In Barrett's esophagus, chronic
acid exposure causes squamous epithelium to be replaced by columnar epithelium, which is more
resistant to acid injury but carries an increased risk of malignancy.
