The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children
9th Edition
• Author(s)Julia Rogers
TEST BANK
McCance & Huether — Pathophysiology, 9th Ed. — Chapter 1:
Cellular Biology.
Chapter 1 — Section: Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes — Title:
Distinctive Cellular Features
Stem: A patient’s blood culture grows a bacterium that lacks a
nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Which cellular
feature best distinguishes this organism from human cells?
A. Presence of histone-associated DNA
B. Circular chromosome without a nuclear membrane
C. Mitochondria for oxidative phosphorylation
D. Endoplasmic reticulum for protein processing
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
, • Correct (B): Prokaryotes characteristically contain a single
circular chromosome and lack a nuclear membrane; this
distinguishes them from eukaryotic (human) cells.
• Incorrect (A): Histone-associated DNA is a feature of
eukaryotes; prokaryotes do not typically have histones.
• Incorrect (C): Mitochondria are membrane-bound
organelles found in eukaryotes, not prokaryotes.
• Incorrect (D): The endoplasmic reticulum is a eukaryotic
organelle; prokaryotes lack it.
Teaching Point: Prokaryotes have a circular chromosome and
no nuclear membrane.
2.
Chapter 1 — Section: Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes — Title:
Clinical Relevance of Cellular Differences
Stem: An antibiotic targets the 70S ribosome. Why is this drug
selectively toxic to bacteria and relatively safe for human cells?
A. Human ribosomes are smaller and inactivated by the drug.
B. Bacterial 70S ribosomes differ structurally from human 80S
ribosomes.
C. Human cells lack ribosomes during infection.
D. The drug cannot cross mammalian cell membranes.
Correct Answer: B
,Rationales:
• Correct (B): Bacterial ribosomes are 70S (30S + 50S) and
differ in structure from eukaryotic 80S ribosomes, allowing
selective targeting by antibiotics.
• Incorrect (A): Human ribosomes are larger (80S); they are
not smaller nor inactivated by such antibiotics.
• Incorrect (C): Human cells retain ribosomes during
infection; they do not disappear.
• Incorrect (D): Some antibiotics can cross eukaryotic
membranes, but selectivity derives from ribosomal
structural differences.
Teaching Point: Antibiotics exploit structural differences
between 70S bacterial and 80S human ribosomes.
3.
Chapter 1 — Section: Cellular Functions — Title: Specialized
Cellular Functions
Stem: A renal tubular cell demonstrates increased synthesis and
packaging of proteins for secretion. Which specialized cellular
function best describes this activity?
A. Conductivity
B. Secretion
C. Excretion
D. Metabolic absorption
, Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct (B): Secretion is the production and release of
substances (enzymes, hormones) from the cell; increased
protein synthesis/packaging fits secretion.
• Incorrect (A): Conductivity refers to nerve or muscle
impulse transmission, not protein secretion.
• Incorrect (C): Excretion is removal of waste products from
the cell, not active protein release.
• Incorrect (D): Metabolic absorption is uptake of nutrients,
not synthesis and secretion.
Teaching Point: Secretion is cellular synthesis and release of
functional products.
4.
Chapter 1 — Section: Cellular Functions — Title: Transport and
Homeostasis
Stem: A patient with malabsorption has impaired nutrient
uptake across intestinal epithelial cells. Which cellular function
is primarily affected?
A. Reproduction
B. Respiration