PORTAGE LEARNING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS|ACCURATE ACTUAL EXAM WITH FREQUENTLY
TESTED QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE| GUARANTEED
PASS|ALREADY GRADED A+|LATEST UPDATE 2024/2025
What is in the cytoskeleton and what does it do? - CORRECT ANSWER Network of
Microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments, thick filaments. It controls cell structure
and movement.
where are cilia and flagella found in the human body? - CORRECT ANSWER Flagella -
spermatozoa
Cilia - epithelial lining of bronchi and nose in the upper respiratory system
What are the 4 functions of the cell membrane? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. aids in regulation of
cell growth and division
2. controls transport of materials into and out of the cell
3. helps conduct electrical currents in nerve and muscle cells
4. houses hormone receptors
Why do cells need to communicate with one another? - CORRECT ANSWER in complex
organisms cells have special functions and need to communicate with one another to respond to
changes in their environment, transport substances in and out and contribute to cell growth.
Name the 4 types of cell signaling - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Endocrine: depends on hormones
carried in bloodstream to act on cells.
2. Paracrine: when enzymes metabolize chemical mediators, producing change in other cells.
3. Autocrine: when a cell releases chemicals into extracellular fluid that affects its own activity.
4. Synaptic: in nervous system as neurotransmitters act on adjacent nerve cells thru synapse.
Up Regulation - CORRECT ANSWER when there are not enough chemical messengers present,
the number of active receptors increases
Down regulation - CORRECT ANSWER when there are too many chemical messengers
present, the number of active receptors decreases
What are the 3 types of receptor proteins? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. g-protein linked (on/off
switch to convert external signals to internal signals)
2. enzyme linked (binding activates intracellular enzyme activity; cell growth factors)
3. ion-channel linked (synaptic signaling can open or close ion channels; neurotransmitters)
What are the 3 processes of passive movement? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. osmosis
2. diffusion
3. facilitated diffusion
,osmosis - CORRECT ANSWER the movement of water from an area of low solute
concentration to an area of high solute concentration
the pressure generated as the water moves through the membrane is called osmotic pressure
Diffusion - CORRECT ANSWER The movement of molecules from an area of high
concentration on one side of the membrane to an area of low concentration on the other side of
the membrane
Facilitated Diffusion - CORRECT ANSWER The use of a transport protein to help lipid
insoluble or large molecules pass through the membrane
Active Transport - CORRECT ANSWER Cells use energy (ATP) to move ions against the
electrical/chemical gradient (Na+/K+ pump)
What is the most important active transport system and why? - CORRECT ANSWER
Sodium/Potassium ATPase pump. It is responsible for moving Na+ from inside the cell to the
extracellular matrix and putting K+ back into the cell. Without this process, the cell would retain
too much Na+, causing water to enter to cell and the cell to swell.
Endocytosis - CORRECT ANSWER enclosing a molecule via the invagination of the cell
membrane forming a vesicle
exocytosis - CORRECT ANSWER secretes intracellular substances into the extracellular space.
important in removing cellular debris and releasing hormones made in the cell
What are the 2 processes of endocytosis? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. pinocytosis "cell drinking"
- cell engulfs small solid or fluid particles (proteins, electrolytes)
2. phagocytosis "cell eating" - engulfs and kills microorganisms or other particulates
electrochemical gradient - CORRECT ANSWER electrochemical gradient - difference in
number of particles, charged particles, or ions on either side of the membrane
Why are ion channels necessary? - CORRECT ANSWER small ions like Na+ and K+ have an
electrical charge and are unable to cross the cell membrane. ion channels allow this to happen
through the process of facilitated diffusion
2 types of Active Transport - CORRECT ANSWER 1. primary - ATP used directly to transport
the substance
2. secondary - energy is derived from primary active transport of one substance (Na+) for the
cotransport of a secondary substance
membrane potential - CORRECT ANSWER difference in voltage between the inside and
outside of the cell. these are needed in nerve and muscle cells to generate nerve impulses and
muscle contractions. in other cells, this can cause hormone secretion
,2 groups of secondary active transport available when a Na+ concentration gradient develops
(storage of energy) - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Symport (coTransport) - Na+ ions and solute are
transported in the same direction (Na+ transport paired with absorption of glucose & amino
acids)
2. Antiport (counter-Transport) - Na+ and solute are transported in opposite directions
where do Na+ and K+ concentration reside within the cell? - CORRECT ANSWER higher conc
of K+ in the cell (35x greater). Na+ conc lower in the cell than the extracellular fluid
What are the 4 types of tissues? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. epithelial
2. connective
3. muscle
4. nervous
Define epithelial tissue - CORRECT ANSWER covers the surface of the body, lines the inner
surfaces, and forms glandular tissue.
Avascular
Basement membrane
define connective tissue - CORRECT ANSWER connects and binds/supports the various tissues
by producing extracellular matrix
proper
specialized (blood cells, cartilage, bone)
define muscle tissue - CORRECT ANSWER moves the skeletal structure, pump blood through
the hear, contracts blood vessels and visceral organs
actin - thin filaments
myosin - thick filaments
define nervous tissue - CORRECT ANSWER found throughout the body, it is used for
communication between peripheral tissue and the central nervous system (CNS). helps control
body function, senses, and movement around the environment
neurons - communication
glial cells - neuron support
what are the 3 classifications of epithelial tissues? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. squamous
2. cuboidal
3. columnar
What are the 3 classification of layers in epithelial tissues? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. simple
2. stratified
3. pseudostratified
what are the 4 types of connective tissue proper? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Loose (areolar)
, 2. Adipose
3. Reticular
4. Dense connective
what are the 3 types of muscle tissue? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. skeletal
2. cardiac
3. smooth
What is atrophy and what causes it? - CORRECT ANSWER decrease in the size of an organ or
tissue due a decrease in the mass or number of it's cells. typically from disuse, nutritional/oxygen
deprivation, diminished endocrine stimulation, aging, denervation (lack of nerve stimulation)
hypertrophy - CORRECT ANSWER increase in the size of an organ or tissue due to increase in
cell size. an increase in workload(stress) leads to increase in cell size
hyperplasia - CORRECT ANSWER increase in the size of an organ or tissue due to an increase
in cell number
Advantage and disadvantage of metaplasia - CORRECT ANSWER occurs in response to
chronic irritation/inflammation allowing for a higher likelihood of survival in less than optimal
environment. under persistent stress, it can progress to dysplasia
metaplasia - CORRECT ANSWER the replacement of one differentiated tissue by another.
dysplasia - CORRECT ANSWER abnormal cellular growth. most often refers to proliferation of
precancerous cells
pros and cons of dysplasia - CORRECT ANSWER dysplasia is reversible with alleviation of
inciting stress. with persistent stress it can progress to carcinoma (irreversible)
What are the 5 ways cells can be damaged? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Physical (fractures,
burns)
2. Radiation (cancer treatment, sunburn)
3. Chemical (drugs, lead toxicity)
4. Biologic agents (parasites, bacteria, viruses)
5. Nutritional Imbalances (excess or deficiency)
Pears Really Can Be Nasty
What are the mechanisms of cell injury? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Free radical formation -
ROS (reactive oxygen species) exceeds body's ability to neutralize/eliminate leading to oxidative
stress
2. hypoxia - low O2 delivery to tissues. Decreased O2 impairs oxidative metabolism, resulting in
decreased production of ATP
3. disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis - cells release vesicles leading to increase in
calcium within the cell and disruption of cell function
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS|ACCURATE ACTUAL EXAM WITH FREQUENTLY
TESTED QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE| GUARANTEED
PASS|ALREADY GRADED A+|LATEST UPDATE 2024/2025
What is in the cytoskeleton and what does it do? - CORRECT ANSWER Network of
Microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments, thick filaments. It controls cell structure
and movement.
where are cilia and flagella found in the human body? - CORRECT ANSWER Flagella -
spermatozoa
Cilia - epithelial lining of bronchi and nose in the upper respiratory system
What are the 4 functions of the cell membrane? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. aids in regulation of
cell growth and division
2. controls transport of materials into and out of the cell
3. helps conduct electrical currents in nerve and muscle cells
4. houses hormone receptors
Why do cells need to communicate with one another? - CORRECT ANSWER in complex
organisms cells have special functions and need to communicate with one another to respond to
changes in their environment, transport substances in and out and contribute to cell growth.
Name the 4 types of cell signaling - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Endocrine: depends on hormones
carried in bloodstream to act on cells.
2. Paracrine: when enzymes metabolize chemical mediators, producing change in other cells.
3. Autocrine: when a cell releases chemicals into extracellular fluid that affects its own activity.
4. Synaptic: in nervous system as neurotransmitters act on adjacent nerve cells thru synapse.
Up Regulation - CORRECT ANSWER when there are not enough chemical messengers present,
the number of active receptors increases
Down regulation - CORRECT ANSWER when there are too many chemical messengers
present, the number of active receptors decreases
What are the 3 types of receptor proteins? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. g-protein linked (on/off
switch to convert external signals to internal signals)
2. enzyme linked (binding activates intracellular enzyme activity; cell growth factors)
3. ion-channel linked (synaptic signaling can open or close ion channels; neurotransmitters)
What are the 3 processes of passive movement? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. osmosis
2. diffusion
3. facilitated diffusion
,osmosis - CORRECT ANSWER the movement of water from an area of low solute
concentration to an area of high solute concentration
the pressure generated as the water moves through the membrane is called osmotic pressure
Diffusion - CORRECT ANSWER The movement of molecules from an area of high
concentration on one side of the membrane to an area of low concentration on the other side of
the membrane
Facilitated Diffusion - CORRECT ANSWER The use of a transport protein to help lipid
insoluble or large molecules pass through the membrane
Active Transport - CORRECT ANSWER Cells use energy (ATP) to move ions against the
electrical/chemical gradient (Na+/K+ pump)
What is the most important active transport system and why? - CORRECT ANSWER
Sodium/Potassium ATPase pump. It is responsible for moving Na+ from inside the cell to the
extracellular matrix and putting K+ back into the cell. Without this process, the cell would retain
too much Na+, causing water to enter to cell and the cell to swell.
Endocytosis - CORRECT ANSWER enclosing a molecule via the invagination of the cell
membrane forming a vesicle
exocytosis - CORRECT ANSWER secretes intracellular substances into the extracellular space.
important in removing cellular debris and releasing hormones made in the cell
What are the 2 processes of endocytosis? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. pinocytosis "cell drinking"
- cell engulfs small solid or fluid particles (proteins, electrolytes)
2. phagocytosis "cell eating" - engulfs and kills microorganisms or other particulates
electrochemical gradient - CORRECT ANSWER electrochemical gradient - difference in
number of particles, charged particles, or ions on either side of the membrane
Why are ion channels necessary? - CORRECT ANSWER small ions like Na+ and K+ have an
electrical charge and are unable to cross the cell membrane. ion channels allow this to happen
through the process of facilitated diffusion
2 types of Active Transport - CORRECT ANSWER 1. primary - ATP used directly to transport
the substance
2. secondary - energy is derived from primary active transport of one substance (Na+) for the
cotransport of a secondary substance
membrane potential - CORRECT ANSWER difference in voltage between the inside and
outside of the cell. these are needed in nerve and muscle cells to generate nerve impulses and
muscle contractions. in other cells, this can cause hormone secretion
,2 groups of secondary active transport available when a Na+ concentration gradient develops
(storage of energy) - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Symport (coTransport) - Na+ ions and solute are
transported in the same direction (Na+ transport paired with absorption of glucose & amino
acids)
2. Antiport (counter-Transport) - Na+ and solute are transported in opposite directions
where do Na+ and K+ concentration reside within the cell? - CORRECT ANSWER higher conc
of K+ in the cell (35x greater). Na+ conc lower in the cell than the extracellular fluid
What are the 4 types of tissues? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. epithelial
2. connective
3. muscle
4. nervous
Define epithelial tissue - CORRECT ANSWER covers the surface of the body, lines the inner
surfaces, and forms glandular tissue.
Avascular
Basement membrane
define connective tissue - CORRECT ANSWER connects and binds/supports the various tissues
by producing extracellular matrix
proper
specialized (blood cells, cartilage, bone)
define muscle tissue - CORRECT ANSWER moves the skeletal structure, pump blood through
the hear, contracts blood vessels and visceral organs
actin - thin filaments
myosin - thick filaments
define nervous tissue - CORRECT ANSWER found throughout the body, it is used for
communication between peripheral tissue and the central nervous system (CNS). helps control
body function, senses, and movement around the environment
neurons - communication
glial cells - neuron support
what are the 3 classifications of epithelial tissues? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. squamous
2. cuboidal
3. columnar
What are the 3 classification of layers in epithelial tissues? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. simple
2. stratified
3. pseudostratified
what are the 4 types of connective tissue proper? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Loose (areolar)
, 2. Adipose
3. Reticular
4. Dense connective
what are the 3 types of muscle tissue? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. skeletal
2. cardiac
3. smooth
What is atrophy and what causes it? - CORRECT ANSWER decrease in the size of an organ or
tissue due a decrease in the mass or number of it's cells. typically from disuse, nutritional/oxygen
deprivation, diminished endocrine stimulation, aging, denervation (lack of nerve stimulation)
hypertrophy - CORRECT ANSWER increase in the size of an organ or tissue due to increase in
cell size. an increase in workload(stress) leads to increase in cell size
hyperplasia - CORRECT ANSWER increase in the size of an organ or tissue due to an increase
in cell number
Advantage and disadvantage of metaplasia - CORRECT ANSWER occurs in response to
chronic irritation/inflammation allowing for a higher likelihood of survival in less than optimal
environment. under persistent stress, it can progress to dysplasia
metaplasia - CORRECT ANSWER the replacement of one differentiated tissue by another.
dysplasia - CORRECT ANSWER abnormal cellular growth. most often refers to proliferation of
precancerous cells
pros and cons of dysplasia - CORRECT ANSWER dysplasia is reversible with alleviation of
inciting stress. with persistent stress it can progress to carcinoma (irreversible)
What are the 5 ways cells can be damaged? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Physical (fractures,
burns)
2. Radiation (cancer treatment, sunburn)
3. Chemical (drugs, lead toxicity)
4. Biologic agents (parasites, bacteria, viruses)
5. Nutritional Imbalances (excess or deficiency)
Pears Really Can Be Nasty
What are the mechanisms of cell injury? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Free radical formation -
ROS (reactive oxygen species) exceeds body's ability to neutralize/eliminate leading to oxidative
stress
2. hypoxia - low O2 delivery to tissues. Decreased O2 impairs oxidative metabolism, resulting in
decreased production of ATP
3. disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis - cells release vesicles leading to increase in
calcium within the cell and disruption of cell function
