,NSG530/NSG 530 Final Exam Advanced
Pathophysiology | Wilkes University | Q&A|
26/27 (PDF)
1. A cell with a mutation in the gene encoding telomerase would most directly experience which
consequence?
A) Accelerated apoptosis
B) Progressive shortening of chromosomal ends with each replication
C) Uncontrolled activation of oncogenes
D) Impaired mismatch repair during DNA synthesis
Correct Answer: Progressive shortening of chromosomal ends with each replication
Rationale: Telomerase maintains telomere length at chromosome ends. Its deficiency leads to
progressive telomere shortening with each cell division, eventually triggering cellular senescence or
apoptosis. Telomerase does not directly regulate apoptosis, oncogene activation, or mismatch repair,
which are controlled by other pathways.
2. Which cellular process is most directly dependent on the proper functioning of the Golgi apparatus?
A) ATP generation through oxidative phosphorylation
B) Post-translational modification and packaging of proteins for secretion
C) Synthesis of ribosomal RNA
D) Degradation of cellular debris via autophagy
Correct Answer: Post-translational modification and packaging of proteins for secretion
Rationale: The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins into vesicles for secretion or
intracellular transport. ATP generation occurs in mitochondria, ribosomal RNA synthesis in the
nucleolus, and autophagy involves lysosomes, not the Golgi apparatus.
3. A researcher observes that a population of cells has ceased dividing and exhibits flattened, enlarged
morphology. Which term best describes this state?
A) Neoplasia
B) Senescence
C) Hyperplasia
,D) Anaplasia
Correct Answer: Senescence
Rationale: Cellular senescence is a state of irreversible growth arrest characterized by flattened,
enlarged morphology and resistance to apoptosis. Neoplasia involves uncontrolled proliferation,
hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, and anaplasia refers to a lack of differentiation in malignant
cells.
4. In a patient with a genetic defect in the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase, which metabolic pathway
would be most directly impaired?
A) Glycolysis
B) Gluconeogenesis
C) Glycogenolysis
D) Pentose phosphate pathway
Correct Answer: Gluconeogenesis
Rationale: Glucose-6-phosphatase catalyzes the final step of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis,
converting glucose-6-phosphate to free glucose. A defect in this enzyme impairs the liver's ability to
release glucose into the bloodstream. Glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway do not require
this enzyme.
5. Which mechanism best explains why a patient with a defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane
conductance regulator (CFTR) has thick, viscous secretions?
A) Increased sodium reabsorption leading to decreased airway surface liquid
B) Impaired chloride secretion with compensatory increased sodium and water absorption
C) Excessive mucus production by goblet cells
D) Decreased activity of ciliary clearance mechanisms
Correct Answer: Impaired chloride secretion with compensatory increased sodium and water
absorption
Rationale: CFTR dysfunction impairs chloride secretion, leading to increased sodium and water
absorption across epithelial cells, reducing airway surface liquid and creating thick, viscous mucus.
While goblet cell hyperplasia and impaired ciliary clearance occur, they are secondary to the
electrolyte imbalance.
, 6. In the context of cellular adaptation, which process involves an increase in the number of cells in
response to increased functional demand?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number in response to a stimulus, such as hormonal
stimulation or increased workload. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, atrophy is a decrease in cell
size, and metaplasia is the replacement of one cell type with another.
7. A tissue sample from a patient with chronic irritation shows that the normal columnar epithelium
has been replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. This change is best described as:
A) Dysplasia
B) Anaplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Neoplasia
Correct Answer: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another, often
in response to chronic irritation. Dysplasia involves disordered cellular growth, anaplasia is a lack of
differentiation, and neoplasia is new, abnormal growth.
8. In a patient with a deficiency of the enzyme catalase, which type of cellular injury would be most
directly exacerbated?
A) Ischemic injury
B) Oxidative stress from hydrogen peroxide accumulation
C) Hypoxic injury
D) Calcium overload
Correct Answer: Oxidative stress from hydrogen peroxide accumulation
Rationale: Catalase converts hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. Its deficiency allows hydrogen
peroxide to accumulate, leading to oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. Ischemic injury,
hypoxic injury, and calcium overload involve different mechanisms.
Pathophysiology | Wilkes University | Q&A|
26/27 (PDF)
1. A cell with a mutation in the gene encoding telomerase would most directly experience which
consequence?
A) Accelerated apoptosis
B) Progressive shortening of chromosomal ends with each replication
C) Uncontrolled activation of oncogenes
D) Impaired mismatch repair during DNA synthesis
Correct Answer: Progressive shortening of chromosomal ends with each replication
Rationale: Telomerase maintains telomere length at chromosome ends. Its deficiency leads to
progressive telomere shortening with each cell division, eventually triggering cellular senescence or
apoptosis. Telomerase does not directly regulate apoptosis, oncogene activation, or mismatch repair,
which are controlled by other pathways.
2. Which cellular process is most directly dependent on the proper functioning of the Golgi apparatus?
A) ATP generation through oxidative phosphorylation
B) Post-translational modification and packaging of proteins for secretion
C) Synthesis of ribosomal RNA
D) Degradation of cellular debris via autophagy
Correct Answer: Post-translational modification and packaging of proteins for secretion
Rationale: The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins into vesicles for secretion or
intracellular transport. ATP generation occurs in mitochondria, ribosomal RNA synthesis in the
nucleolus, and autophagy involves lysosomes, not the Golgi apparatus.
3. A researcher observes that a population of cells has ceased dividing and exhibits flattened, enlarged
morphology. Which term best describes this state?
A) Neoplasia
B) Senescence
C) Hyperplasia
,D) Anaplasia
Correct Answer: Senescence
Rationale: Cellular senescence is a state of irreversible growth arrest characterized by flattened,
enlarged morphology and resistance to apoptosis. Neoplasia involves uncontrolled proliferation,
hyperplasia is an increase in cell number, and anaplasia refers to a lack of differentiation in malignant
cells.
4. In a patient with a genetic defect in the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase, which metabolic pathway
would be most directly impaired?
A) Glycolysis
B) Gluconeogenesis
C) Glycogenolysis
D) Pentose phosphate pathway
Correct Answer: Gluconeogenesis
Rationale: Glucose-6-phosphatase catalyzes the final step of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis,
converting glucose-6-phosphate to free glucose. A defect in this enzyme impairs the liver's ability to
release glucose into the bloodstream. Glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway do not require
this enzyme.
5. Which mechanism best explains why a patient with a defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane
conductance regulator (CFTR) has thick, viscous secretions?
A) Increased sodium reabsorption leading to decreased airway surface liquid
B) Impaired chloride secretion with compensatory increased sodium and water absorption
C) Excessive mucus production by goblet cells
D) Decreased activity of ciliary clearance mechanisms
Correct Answer: Impaired chloride secretion with compensatory increased sodium and water
absorption
Rationale: CFTR dysfunction impairs chloride secretion, leading to increased sodium and water
absorption across epithelial cells, reducing airway surface liquid and creating thick, viscous mucus.
While goblet cell hyperplasia and impaired ciliary clearance occur, they are secondary to the
electrolyte imbalance.
, 6. In the context of cellular adaptation, which process involves an increase in the number of cells in
response to increased functional demand?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: Hyperplasia
Rationale: Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number in response to a stimulus, such as hormonal
stimulation or increased workload. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, atrophy is a decrease in cell
size, and metaplasia is the replacement of one cell type with another.
7. A tissue sample from a patient with chronic irritation shows that the normal columnar epithelium
has been replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. This change is best described as:
A) Dysplasia
B) Anaplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Neoplasia
Correct Answer: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another, often
in response to chronic irritation. Dysplasia involves disordered cellular growth, anaplasia is a lack of
differentiation, and neoplasia is new, abnormal growth.
8. In a patient with a deficiency of the enzyme catalase, which type of cellular injury would be most
directly exacerbated?
A) Ischemic injury
B) Oxidative stress from hydrogen peroxide accumulation
C) Hypoxic injury
D) Calcium overload
Correct Answer: Oxidative stress from hydrogen peroxide accumulation
Rationale: Catalase converts hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. Its deficiency allows hydrogen
peroxide to accumulate, leading to oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. Ischemic injury,
hypoxic injury, and calcium overload involve different mechanisms.
