Robbins & Cotran 10th Ed. Pathology Test Bank | Chapter-
by-Chapter Questions & Verified Solutions
Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease
10th Edition
• Author(s)Vinay Kumar; Abul K. Abbas; Jon C. Aster
Chapter 1: The Cell as a Unit of Health and Disease
1. Chapter Section: The Genome
Question: A research study investigates a mechanism of
gene regulation that does not alter the DNA sequence
itself but involves chemical modifications to histone
proteins, making certain genes more or less accessible for
transcription. This process is best described as:
A) Genetic polymorphism
B) Autophagy
C) Epigenetic modification
D) Signal transduction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Epigenetic modification refers to heritable
,changes in gene expression that are not caused by
alterations in the DNA sequence. Histone acetylation and
methylation are primary epigenetic mechanisms that
regulate DNA accessibility . This is distinct from changes in
the DNA sequence itself (A), a cellular degradation process
(B), or the process of responding to extracellular signals
(D).
Teaching Point: Epigenetics controls gene expression
through modifications to DNA and histones, without
changing the genetic code.
Citation: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease,
10th Ed., Chapter 1: The Genome.
2. Chapter Section: The Genome
Question: A patient is found to have a disease caused by a
mutation in a gene encoding a specific microRNA
(miRNA). Which of the following fundamental regulatory
functions is most likely impaired?
A) Synthesis of ribosomal RNA
B) Post-transcriptional gene silencing
C) Energy production in the mitochondria
D) Integrity of the nuclear membrane
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs
,that primarily function in post-transcriptional gene
silencing by binding to target mRNAs and inhibiting their
translation or promoting their degradation . They are not
directly involved in ribosomal RNA synthesis (A),
mitochondrial energy production (C), or maintaining
nuclear membrane integrity (D).
Teaching Point: miRNAs are key epigenetic regulators
that silence genes by targeting mRNA after transcription.
Citation: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease,
10th Ed., Chapter 1: The Genome.
3. Chapter Section: Cellular Housekeeping
Question: A 45-year-old patient with a rare
neurodegenerative disorder has a defect in an organelle
responsible for degrading worn-out proteins tagged with
ubiquitin. The dysfunctional organelle most central to this
disease process is the:
A) Golgi apparatus
B) Proteasome
C) Lysosome
D) Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The proteasome is a multi-subunit proteolytic
complex that degrades cytosolic proteins that have been
, tagged for destruction by ubiquitin. It is crucial for
removing misfolded or damaged proteins . The Golgi
apparatus (A) modifies and packages proteins, the
lysosome (C) degrades extracellular material and
organelles via autophagy, and the rough endoplasmic
reticulum (D) is involved in protein synthesis.
Teaching Point: Proteasomes are essential for degrading
ubiquitin-tagged intracellular proteins, and their
dysfunction can lead to protein aggregation diseases.
Citation: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease,
10th Ed., Chapter 1: Cellular Housekeeping.
4. Chapter Section: Cellular Housekeeping
Question: During a lecture on cellular injury, the professor
describes a process where a cell digestes its own damaged
organelles by engulfing them in a double-membrane
vesicle that fuses with a lysosome. This vital "self-eating"
process is termed:
A) Heterophagy
B) Apoptosis
C) Autophagy
D) Necrosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autophagy is the process by which cells
by-Chapter Questions & Verified Solutions
Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease
10th Edition
• Author(s)Vinay Kumar; Abul K. Abbas; Jon C. Aster
Chapter 1: The Cell as a Unit of Health and Disease
1. Chapter Section: The Genome
Question: A research study investigates a mechanism of
gene regulation that does not alter the DNA sequence
itself but involves chemical modifications to histone
proteins, making certain genes more or less accessible for
transcription. This process is best described as:
A) Genetic polymorphism
B) Autophagy
C) Epigenetic modification
D) Signal transduction
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Epigenetic modification refers to heritable
,changes in gene expression that are not caused by
alterations in the DNA sequence. Histone acetylation and
methylation are primary epigenetic mechanisms that
regulate DNA accessibility . This is distinct from changes in
the DNA sequence itself (A), a cellular degradation process
(B), or the process of responding to extracellular signals
(D).
Teaching Point: Epigenetics controls gene expression
through modifications to DNA and histones, without
changing the genetic code.
Citation: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease,
10th Ed., Chapter 1: The Genome.
2. Chapter Section: The Genome
Question: A patient is found to have a disease caused by a
mutation in a gene encoding a specific microRNA
(miRNA). Which of the following fundamental regulatory
functions is most likely impaired?
A) Synthesis of ribosomal RNA
B) Post-transcriptional gene silencing
C) Energy production in the mitochondria
D) Integrity of the nuclear membrane
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs
,that primarily function in post-transcriptional gene
silencing by binding to target mRNAs and inhibiting their
translation or promoting their degradation . They are not
directly involved in ribosomal RNA synthesis (A),
mitochondrial energy production (C), or maintaining
nuclear membrane integrity (D).
Teaching Point: miRNAs are key epigenetic regulators
that silence genes by targeting mRNA after transcription.
Citation: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease,
10th Ed., Chapter 1: The Genome.
3. Chapter Section: Cellular Housekeeping
Question: A 45-year-old patient with a rare
neurodegenerative disorder has a defect in an organelle
responsible for degrading worn-out proteins tagged with
ubiquitin. The dysfunctional organelle most central to this
disease process is the:
A) Golgi apparatus
B) Proteasome
C) Lysosome
D) Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The proteasome is a multi-subunit proteolytic
complex that degrades cytosolic proteins that have been
, tagged for destruction by ubiquitin. It is crucial for
removing misfolded or damaged proteins . The Golgi
apparatus (A) modifies and packages proteins, the
lysosome (C) degrades extracellular material and
organelles via autophagy, and the rough endoplasmic
reticulum (D) is involved in protein synthesis.
Teaching Point: Proteasomes are essential for degrading
ubiquitin-tagged intracellular proteins, and their
dysfunction can lead to protein aggregation diseases.
Citation: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease,
10th Ed., Chapter 1: Cellular Housekeeping.
4. Chapter Section: Cellular Housekeeping
Question: During a lecture on cellular injury, the professor
describes a process where a cell digestes its own damaged
organelles by engulfing them in a double-membrane
vesicle that fuses with a lysosome. This vital "self-eating"
process is termed:
A) Heterophagy
B) Apoptosis
C) Autophagy
D) Necrosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autophagy is the process by which cells
