NU 545 Pathophysiology (Units 1–7 Study
Guide) 2026/2027 Complete Exam Bundle |
University of South Alabama
Unit 1: Cellular Foundations (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
1. Which of the following is the primary mechanism of hypoxic cellular injury?
A) Increased oxidative phosphorylation
B) Depletion of ATP due to impaired mitochondrial function
C) Enhanced Na⁺/K⁺ pump activity
D) Overproduction of reactive oxygen species
Answer
Answer B: Depletion of ATP due to impaired mitochondrial function
Rationale
Hypoxia disrupts mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, reducing ATP production and leading to
cellular swelling and dysfunction .
Question 2
2. What distinguishes apoptosis from necrosis?
A) Apoptosis is uncontrolled and triggers inflammation
B) Necrosis is a programmed cell death process
C) Apoptosis is programmed and does not trigger inflammation
D) Necrosis occurs only in hypoxic conditions
Answer
,Answer C: Apoptosis is programmed and does not trigger inflammation
Rationale
Apoptosis is controlled cell death without inflammation; necrosis is uncontrolled, causing inflammation
.
Question 3
3. A patient with chronic heart failure develops peripheral edema. This is primarily due to:
A) Decreased oncotic pressure
B) Increased hydrostatic pressure
C) Lymphatic obstruction
D) Increased vascular permeability
Answer
Answer B: Increased hydrostatic pressure
Rationale
Impaired cardiac output increases venous pressure, elevating capillary hydrostatic pressure and forcing
fluid into interstitial spaces .
Question 4
4. Which of the following is an example of cellular atrophy?
A) Decrease in cell size due to disuse
B) Increase in cell size due to increased workload
C) Replacement of one cell type with another
D) Abnormal cell growth with dysplasia
Answer
Answer A: Decrease in cell size due to disuse
,Rationale
Atrophy is a decrease in cell size often caused by disuse, reduced blood supply, or malnutrition .
Question 5
5. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in cell size?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Answer
Answer B: Hypertrophy
Rationale
Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size, often due to increased workload or hormonal stimulation
.
Question 6
6. A researcher is studying the plasma membrane. Which statement correctly describes its major
chemical components?
A) Primarily composed of DNA and RNA
B) A lipid bilayer of phospholipids with interspersed proteins
C) Composed mainly of triglycerides and glycogen
D) Made of fibrin and collagen fibers
Answer
Answer B: A lipid bilayer of phospholipids with interspersed proteins
Rationale
, The plasma membrane is a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and carbohydrates .
Question 7
7. Which organelle is described as "the control center" of the cell?
A) Mitochondrion
B) Nucleus
C) Golgi complex
D) Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Answer
Answer B: Nucleus
Rationale
The nucleus contains cellular DNA and is responsible for cell division and control of genetic
information .
Question 8
8. Which property of phospholipids is essential for forming the lipid bilayer of cell membranes?
A) Nonpolar, completely hydrophobic structure
B) Amphipathic nature with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions
C) High-energy phosphate bonds for ATP synthesis
D) Ability to form peptide bonds
Answer
Answer B: Amphipathic nature with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions
Rationale
Phospholipids are amphipathic—polar hydrophilic heads and nonpolar hydrophobic tails—enabling
bilayer formation .
Guide) 2026/2027 Complete Exam Bundle |
University of South Alabama
Unit 1: Cellular Foundations (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
1. Which of the following is the primary mechanism of hypoxic cellular injury?
A) Increased oxidative phosphorylation
B) Depletion of ATP due to impaired mitochondrial function
C) Enhanced Na⁺/K⁺ pump activity
D) Overproduction of reactive oxygen species
Answer
Answer B: Depletion of ATP due to impaired mitochondrial function
Rationale
Hypoxia disrupts mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, reducing ATP production and leading to
cellular swelling and dysfunction .
Question 2
2. What distinguishes apoptosis from necrosis?
A) Apoptosis is uncontrolled and triggers inflammation
B) Necrosis is a programmed cell death process
C) Apoptosis is programmed and does not trigger inflammation
D) Necrosis occurs only in hypoxic conditions
Answer
,Answer C: Apoptosis is programmed and does not trigger inflammation
Rationale
Apoptosis is controlled cell death without inflammation; necrosis is uncontrolled, causing inflammation
.
Question 3
3. A patient with chronic heart failure develops peripheral edema. This is primarily due to:
A) Decreased oncotic pressure
B) Increased hydrostatic pressure
C) Lymphatic obstruction
D) Increased vascular permeability
Answer
Answer B: Increased hydrostatic pressure
Rationale
Impaired cardiac output increases venous pressure, elevating capillary hydrostatic pressure and forcing
fluid into interstitial spaces .
Question 4
4. Which of the following is an example of cellular atrophy?
A) Decrease in cell size due to disuse
B) Increase in cell size due to increased workload
C) Replacement of one cell type with another
D) Abnormal cell growth with dysplasia
Answer
Answer A: Decrease in cell size due to disuse
,Rationale
Atrophy is a decrease in cell size often caused by disuse, reduced blood supply, or malnutrition .
Question 5
5. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in cell size?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Answer
Answer B: Hypertrophy
Rationale
Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size, often due to increased workload or hormonal stimulation
.
Question 6
6. A researcher is studying the plasma membrane. Which statement correctly describes its major
chemical components?
A) Primarily composed of DNA and RNA
B) A lipid bilayer of phospholipids with interspersed proteins
C) Composed mainly of triglycerides and glycogen
D) Made of fibrin and collagen fibers
Answer
Answer B: A lipid bilayer of phospholipids with interspersed proteins
Rationale
, The plasma membrane is a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and carbohydrates .
Question 7
7. Which organelle is described as "the control center" of the cell?
A) Mitochondrion
B) Nucleus
C) Golgi complex
D) Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Answer
Answer B: Nucleus
Rationale
The nucleus contains cellular DNA and is responsible for cell division and control of genetic
information .
Question 8
8. Which property of phospholipids is essential for forming the lipid bilayer of cell membranes?
A) Nonpolar, completely hydrophobic structure
B) Amphipathic nature with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions
C) High-energy phosphate bonds for ATP synthesis
D) Ability to form peptide bonds
Answer
Answer B: Amphipathic nature with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions
Rationale
Phospholipids are amphipathic—polar hydrophilic heads and nonpolar hydrophobic tails—enabling
bilayer formation .
