,South University NSG 5003 Week 1 Knowledge Check Quiz | Adv
Pathophysiology (2026) Q&A
1. Which statement accurately describes a key difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic
cells?
A) Eukaryotic cells lack a well-defined nucleus, whereas prokaryotic cells have a true nucleus.
B) Prokaryotic cells are generally larger and more complex than eukaryotic cells.
C) Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles and histones, which prokaryotic cells
lack.
D) Prokaryotic cells contain histones for DNA packaging, while eukaryotic cells do not.
Correct Answer: Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles and histones, which
prokaryotic cells lack.
Rationale: Eukaryotic cells are characterized by a well-defined nucleus, membrane-bound
organelles, and histones that help package DNA. Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller, lack a
true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, and do not contain histones.
2. What is the primary function of histones within a eukaryotic cell?
A) They serve as the primary site of ATP synthesis.
B) They facilitate the supercoiling and organization of DNA into chromosomes.
C) They act as channels for the transport of ions across the plasma membrane.
D) They catalyze the breakdown of cellular waste products.
Correct Answer: They facilitate the supercoiling and organization of DNA into chromosomes.
Rationale: Histones are binding proteins that cause the supercoiling of DNA into compact
chromosomes, playing a crucial role in DNA packaging and regulation. They are not involved in
ATP synthesis, ion transport, or waste breakdown.
,3. Which organelle is primarily responsible for cellular respiration and energy production?
A) Golgi complex
B) Endoplasmic reticulum
C) Mitochondrion
D) Nucleolus
Correct Answer: Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for cellular metabolism,
respiration, and the production of ATP. The Golgi complex processes proteins, the endoplasmic
reticulum synthesizes proteins and lipids, and the nucleolus produces ribosomal RNA.
4. Which type of cell junction serves as a barrier to prevent the movement of substances between
cells?
A) Desmosome
B) Gap junction
C) Tight junction
D) Hemidesmosome
Correct Answer: Tight junction
Rationale: Tight junctions form a nearly impermeable barrier between adjacent cells,
preventing the leakage of molecules across the cell layer. Desmosomes provide structural
stability, and gap junctions allow for communication between cells.
5. A desmosome is best described as which of the following?
A) A communicating tunnel that allows ions to pass between cells.
, B) A barrier that prevents diffusion across an epithelial layer.
C) A point of contact that holds cells together and provides structural stability.
D) A structure that anchors epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane.
Correct Answer: A point of contact that holds cells together and provides structural stability.
Rationale: Desmosomes are button-like points of contact that hold adjacent cells together,
forming a continuous band that provides structural stability to tissues. They do not serve as
barriers (tight junctions) or communicating tunnels (gap junctions).
6. The primary purpose of the ATP-dependent sodium-potassium pump is to:
A) Depolarize the cell membrane to initiate an action potential.
B) Maintain a high intracellular potassium concentration and a low intracellular sodium
concentration.
C) Facilitate the facilitated diffusion of glucose into the cell.
D) Pump calcium ions into the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Correct Answer: Maintain a high intracellular potassium concentration and a low intracellular
sodium concentration.
Rationale: The sodium-potassium pump uses ATP to move three sodium ions out of the cell
and two potassium ions into the cell, maintaining the electrochemical gradients essential for
cellular function. It does not primarily depolarize the membrane or transport glucose or calcium.
7. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in a tissue?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
Pathophysiology (2026) Q&A
1. Which statement accurately describes a key difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic
cells?
A) Eukaryotic cells lack a well-defined nucleus, whereas prokaryotic cells have a true nucleus.
B) Prokaryotic cells are generally larger and more complex than eukaryotic cells.
C) Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles and histones, which prokaryotic cells
lack.
D) Prokaryotic cells contain histones for DNA packaging, while eukaryotic cells do not.
Correct Answer: Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles and histones, which
prokaryotic cells lack.
Rationale: Eukaryotic cells are characterized by a well-defined nucleus, membrane-bound
organelles, and histones that help package DNA. Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller, lack a
true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, and do not contain histones.
2. What is the primary function of histones within a eukaryotic cell?
A) They serve as the primary site of ATP synthesis.
B) They facilitate the supercoiling and organization of DNA into chromosomes.
C) They act as channels for the transport of ions across the plasma membrane.
D) They catalyze the breakdown of cellular waste products.
Correct Answer: They facilitate the supercoiling and organization of DNA into chromosomes.
Rationale: Histones are binding proteins that cause the supercoiling of DNA into compact
chromosomes, playing a crucial role in DNA packaging and regulation. They are not involved in
ATP synthesis, ion transport, or waste breakdown.
,3. Which organelle is primarily responsible for cellular respiration and energy production?
A) Golgi complex
B) Endoplasmic reticulum
C) Mitochondrion
D) Nucleolus
Correct Answer: Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for cellular metabolism,
respiration, and the production of ATP. The Golgi complex processes proteins, the endoplasmic
reticulum synthesizes proteins and lipids, and the nucleolus produces ribosomal RNA.
4. Which type of cell junction serves as a barrier to prevent the movement of substances between
cells?
A) Desmosome
B) Gap junction
C) Tight junction
D) Hemidesmosome
Correct Answer: Tight junction
Rationale: Tight junctions form a nearly impermeable barrier between adjacent cells,
preventing the leakage of molecules across the cell layer. Desmosomes provide structural
stability, and gap junctions allow for communication between cells.
5. A desmosome is best described as which of the following?
A) A communicating tunnel that allows ions to pass between cells.
, B) A barrier that prevents diffusion across an epithelial layer.
C) A point of contact that holds cells together and provides structural stability.
D) A structure that anchors epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane.
Correct Answer: A point of contact that holds cells together and provides structural stability.
Rationale: Desmosomes are button-like points of contact that hold adjacent cells together,
forming a continuous band that provides structural stability to tissues. They do not serve as
barriers (tight junctions) or communicating tunnels (gap junctions).
6. The primary purpose of the ATP-dependent sodium-potassium pump is to:
A) Depolarize the cell membrane to initiate an action potential.
B) Maintain a high intracellular potassium concentration and a low intracellular sodium
concentration.
C) Facilitate the facilitated diffusion of glucose into the cell.
D) Pump calcium ions into the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Correct Answer: Maintain a high intracellular potassium concentration and a low intracellular
sodium concentration.
Rationale: The sodium-potassium pump uses ATP to move three sodium ions out of the cell
and two potassium ions into the cell, maintaining the electrochemical gradients essential for
cellular function. It does not primarily depolarize the membrane or transport glucose or calcium.
7. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in the number of cells in a tissue?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Metaplasia
D) Dysplasia
