Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children, 8th Edition
TEST BANK WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY THE BIOLOGIC BASIS FOR
DISEASE IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN 8TH EDITION
KATHRYN L. MCCANCE, SUE E. HUETHER
,Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children, 8th Edition
CHAPTER 1 – CELLULAR BIOLOGY
Q1. Which of the following is the basic structural and functional unit of all living
organisms?
A. Organelle
B. Cell
C. Tissue
D. Nucleus
Answer: B. Cell
Rationale: The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in all living
things. Organelles, tissues, and nuclei are components of or collections of cells but
do not represent the independent functional unit.
Q2. Which organelle is primarily responsible for energy production through
oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Lysosome
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Golgi apparatus
Answer: C. Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria are the “powerhouses” of the cell, producing ATP
through oxidative phosphorylation. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, lysosomes
break down waste, and the Golgi apparatus modifies and packages proteins.
Q3. A patient with a mitochondrial disorder may present with which primary
issue?
A. Impaired protein synthesis
B. Reduced ATP production
C. Excessive waste accumulation
D. Altered genetic replication
Answer: B. Reduced ATP production
Rationale: Since mitochondria produce ATP, defects in their function cause low
energy availability, especially in energy-demanding tissues (e.g., muscle, nerve).
,Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children, 8th Edition
Q4. Which organelle is responsible for the digestion and breakdown of cellular
debris?
A. Smooth ER
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Lysosome
D. Peroxisome
Answer: C. Lysosome
Rationale: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that digest waste, damaged
organelles, and foreign materials. Peroxisomes handle detoxification, particularly
hydrogen peroxide.
Q5. Which structure regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell?
A. Plasma membrane
B. Mitochondria
C. Cytoskeleton
D. Ribosomes
Answer: A. Plasma membrane
Rationale: The plasma membrane is selectively permeable, controlling the entry
and exit of nutrients, ions, and waste.
Q6. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) plays a critical role in which
function?
A. Protein synthesis
B. Lipid synthesis and detoxification
C. ATP production
D. Waste digestion
Answer: B. Lipid synthesis and detoxification
Rationale: The SER synthesizes lipids and steroid hormones and is involved in
detoxifying drugs/toxins. Protein synthesis occurs in rough ER and ribosomes.
Q7. The cytoskeleton provides structural support to the cell. Which protein
filament is most important for cell movement?
A. Microtubules
, Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children, 8th Edition
B. Intermediate filaments
C. Actin microfilaments
D. Collagen fibers
Answer: C. Actin microfilaments
Rationale: Actin filaments are critical for cell movement, shape, and intracellular
transport. Microtubules maintain structure and move organelles; intermediate
filaments provide tensile strength.
Q8. Which type of cell junction allows the passage of ions and small molecules
directly between adjacent cells?
A. Tight junctions
B. Gap junctions
C. Desmosomes
D. Hemidesmosomes
Answer: B. Gap junctions
Rationale: Gap junctions are intercellular connections formed by connexons,
permitting communication and ion/molecule passage. Tight junctions prevent
leakage, desmosomes provide adhesion.
Q9. In eukaryotic cells, DNA is housed in the nucleus. Which structure inside the
nucleus is specifically responsible for ribosomal RNA synthesis?
A. Chromatin
B. Nucleolus
C. Nuclear envelope
D. Centromere
Answer: B. Nucleolus
Rationale: The nucleolus synthesizes rRNA and assembles ribosomal subunits.
Chromatin is DNA + proteins; the nuclear envelope regulates nuclear entry/exit.
TEST BANK WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY THE BIOLOGIC BASIS FOR
DISEASE IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN 8TH EDITION
KATHRYN L. MCCANCE, SUE E. HUETHER
,Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children, 8th Edition
CHAPTER 1 – CELLULAR BIOLOGY
Q1. Which of the following is the basic structural and functional unit of all living
organisms?
A. Organelle
B. Cell
C. Tissue
D. Nucleus
Answer: B. Cell
Rationale: The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in all living
things. Organelles, tissues, and nuclei are components of or collections of cells but
do not represent the independent functional unit.
Q2. Which organelle is primarily responsible for energy production through
oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Lysosome
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Golgi apparatus
Answer: C. Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria are the “powerhouses” of the cell, producing ATP
through oxidative phosphorylation. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, lysosomes
break down waste, and the Golgi apparatus modifies and packages proteins.
Q3. A patient with a mitochondrial disorder may present with which primary
issue?
A. Impaired protein synthesis
B. Reduced ATP production
C. Excessive waste accumulation
D. Altered genetic replication
Answer: B. Reduced ATP production
Rationale: Since mitochondria produce ATP, defects in their function cause low
energy availability, especially in energy-demanding tissues (e.g., muscle, nerve).
,Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children, 8th Edition
Q4. Which organelle is responsible for the digestion and breakdown of cellular
debris?
A. Smooth ER
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Lysosome
D. Peroxisome
Answer: C. Lysosome
Rationale: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that digest waste, damaged
organelles, and foreign materials. Peroxisomes handle detoxification, particularly
hydrogen peroxide.
Q5. Which structure regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell?
A. Plasma membrane
B. Mitochondria
C. Cytoskeleton
D. Ribosomes
Answer: A. Plasma membrane
Rationale: The plasma membrane is selectively permeable, controlling the entry
and exit of nutrients, ions, and waste.
Q6. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) plays a critical role in which
function?
A. Protein synthesis
B. Lipid synthesis and detoxification
C. ATP production
D. Waste digestion
Answer: B. Lipid synthesis and detoxification
Rationale: The SER synthesizes lipids and steroid hormones and is involved in
detoxifying drugs/toxins. Protein synthesis occurs in rough ER and ribosomes.
Q7. The cytoskeleton provides structural support to the cell. Which protein
filament is most important for cell movement?
A. Microtubules
, Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children, 8th Edition
B. Intermediate filaments
C. Actin microfilaments
D. Collagen fibers
Answer: C. Actin microfilaments
Rationale: Actin filaments are critical for cell movement, shape, and intracellular
transport. Microtubules maintain structure and move organelles; intermediate
filaments provide tensile strength.
Q8. Which type of cell junction allows the passage of ions and small molecules
directly between adjacent cells?
A. Tight junctions
B. Gap junctions
C. Desmosomes
D. Hemidesmosomes
Answer: B. Gap junctions
Rationale: Gap junctions are intercellular connections formed by connexons,
permitting communication and ion/molecule passage. Tight junctions prevent
leakage, desmosomes provide adhesion.
Q9. In eukaryotic cells, DNA is housed in the nucleus. Which structure inside the
nucleus is specifically responsible for ribosomal RNA synthesis?
A. Chromatin
B. Nucleolus
C. Nuclear envelope
D. Centromere
Answer: B. Nucleolus
Rationale: The nucleolus synthesizes rRNA and assembles ribosomal subunits.
Chromatin is DNA + proteins; the nuclear envelope regulates nuclear entry/exit.
