NUR 2063 NUR2063 ESSENTIALS OF
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES 2025 RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY
1. What is the primary function of the mitochondria in cells?
A. Protein synthesis
B. ATP production
C. DNA replication
D. Cell signaling
The mitochondria are the "powerhouse" of the cell, producing ATP
through oxidative phosphorylation.
2. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in cell size?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size, commonly seen in muscle
tissue in response to increased workload.
,3. A reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another is called:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Neoplasia
Metaplasia is an adaptive substitution of one cell type for another that is
better suited to the environment.
4. Which term refers to programmed cell death?
A. Necrosis
B. Inflammation
C. Atrophy
D. Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a tightly regulated process that eliminates damaged or
unnecessary cells without causing inflammation.
5. Which of the following causes cell injury by forming reactive oxygen species
(ROS)?
A. Osmotic imbalance
B. Oxidative stress
C. Protein denaturation
D. Lipid depletion
Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between free radicals and
antioxidants, leading to cell damage.
6. The most common cause of hypoxia is:
A. Ischemia
, B. Anemia
C. Cyanide poisoning
D. Carbon monoxide poisoning
Ischemia, or reduced blood flow, limits oxygen delivery to tissues and is
the most frequent cause of hypoxia.
7. Which is a characteristic of benign tumors?
A. Invasive
B. Encapsulated
C. Metastatic
D. Poorly differentiated
Benign tumors are typically well-differentiated and encapsulated,
meaning they do not invade surrounding tissues.
8. What gene is often referred to as the "guardian of the genome"?
A. BRCA1
B. TP53
C. HER2
D. KRAS
The TP53 gene encodes p53, a tumor suppressor protein that prevents
damaged cells from dividing.
9. Which type of immunity is gained through vaccination?
A. Natural active
B. Natural passive
C. Artificial passive
D. Artificial active
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALES 2025 RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY
1. What is the primary function of the mitochondria in cells?
A. Protein synthesis
B. ATP production
C. DNA replication
D. Cell signaling
The mitochondria are the "powerhouse" of the cell, producing ATP
through oxidative phosphorylation.
2. Which cellular adaptation is characterized by an increase in cell size?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Atrophy
Hypertrophy refers to an increase in cell size, commonly seen in muscle
tissue in response to increased workload.
,3. A reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another is called:
A. Dysplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Neoplasia
Metaplasia is an adaptive substitution of one cell type for another that is
better suited to the environment.
4. Which term refers to programmed cell death?
A. Necrosis
B. Inflammation
C. Atrophy
D. Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a tightly regulated process that eliminates damaged or
unnecessary cells without causing inflammation.
5. Which of the following causes cell injury by forming reactive oxygen species
(ROS)?
A. Osmotic imbalance
B. Oxidative stress
C. Protein denaturation
D. Lipid depletion
Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between free radicals and
antioxidants, leading to cell damage.
6. The most common cause of hypoxia is:
A. Ischemia
, B. Anemia
C. Cyanide poisoning
D. Carbon monoxide poisoning
Ischemia, or reduced blood flow, limits oxygen delivery to tissues and is
the most frequent cause of hypoxia.
7. Which is a characteristic of benign tumors?
A. Invasive
B. Encapsulated
C. Metastatic
D. Poorly differentiated
Benign tumors are typically well-differentiated and encapsulated,
meaning they do not invade surrounding tissues.
8. What gene is often referred to as the "guardian of the genome"?
A. BRCA1
B. TP53
C. HER2
D. KRAS
The TP53 gene encodes p53, a tumor suppressor protein that prevents
damaged cells from dividing.
9. Which type of immunity is gained through vaccination?
A. Natural active
B. Natural passive
C. Artificial passive
D. Artificial active
