McCance & Huether’s Pathophysiology
The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults
and Children
9th Edition
Author(s)Julia Rogers
TEST BANK
Q1. A researcher is comparing tissue samples obtained from
two infectious organisms. One organism contains membrane-
bound organelles and linear chromosomes, whereas the other
lacks a nucleus and reproduces by binary fission. The structural
difference most directly explains which biologic distinction?
A. Ability to synthesize proteins on ribosomes
B. Dependence on glycolysis for ATP generation
,C. Compartmentalization of metabolic functions
D. Requirement for plasma membrane transport proteins
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: Presence of membrane-bound organelles
and linear chromosomes indicates a eukaryotic cell.
• Mechanism: Eukaryotic cells compartmentalize metabolic
functions within organelles such as mitochondria,
lysosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum, increasing
efficiency and specialization.
• Why the Correct Answer Is Right: Compartmentalization
distinguishes eukaryotes from prokaryotes and enables
highly specialized cellular activity.
• Why the Other Options Are Wrong:
o A: Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes contain
ribosomes.
o B: Glycolysis occurs in both cell types.
o D: Both require membrane transport proteins.
• Exam Trap: Equating protein synthesis exclusively with
eukaryotes. Ribosomes exist in both cell types.
• High-Yield Clinical Correlation: Antibiotics often target
bacterial ribosomes because prokaryotic cellular
organization differs from human cells.
, • Memory Anchor: Eukaryotes = organelles =
compartmentalized function.
Q2. A child with recurrent respiratory infections is found to
have dysfunctional motile cilia lining the respiratory epithelium.
The defective structure most directly involves impairment of
which cellular component?
A. Rough endoplasmic reticulum
B. Microtubules arranged in a 9+2 pattern
C. Intermediate filaments attached to desmosomes
D. Microfilaments composed of actin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: Dysfunctional motile cilia causing recurrent
infections suggests impaired mucociliary clearance.
• Mechanism: Cilia are composed of microtubules organized
in a 9+2 arrangement, powered by dynein arms for
coordinated movement.
• Why the Correct Answer Is Right: Defective microtubular
function disrupts ciliary motion and impairs clearance of
respiratory pathogens.
• Why the Other Options Are Wrong:
o A: Rough ER functions in protein synthesis, not
motility.
, o C: Intermediate filaments provide structural integrity.
o D: Microfilaments assist contraction and shape
changes but are not the core of cilia.
• Exam Trap: Confusing cytoskeletal components and their
specific functions.
• High-Yield Clinical Correlation: Primary ciliary dyskinesia
predisposes to chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis, and
infertility.
• Memory Anchor: Cilia move because microtubules
groove.
Q3. A hospitalized patient develops severe muscle weakness
after prolonged fasting. Laboratory studies reveal marked
depletion of intracellular ATP stores. The earliest cellular
consequence most likely involves failure of which process?
A. DNA transcription within the nucleus
B. Sodium-potassium pump activity
C. Ribosomal peptide bond formation
D. Lysosomal enzymatic degradation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: ATP depletion produces early cellular
dysfunction before structural damage.
The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults
and Children
9th Edition
Author(s)Julia Rogers
TEST BANK
Q1. A researcher is comparing tissue samples obtained from
two infectious organisms. One organism contains membrane-
bound organelles and linear chromosomes, whereas the other
lacks a nucleus and reproduces by binary fission. The structural
difference most directly explains which biologic distinction?
A. Ability to synthesize proteins on ribosomes
B. Dependence on glycolysis for ATP generation
,C. Compartmentalization of metabolic functions
D. Requirement for plasma membrane transport proteins
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: Presence of membrane-bound organelles
and linear chromosomes indicates a eukaryotic cell.
• Mechanism: Eukaryotic cells compartmentalize metabolic
functions within organelles such as mitochondria,
lysosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum, increasing
efficiency and specialization.
• Why the Correct Answer Is Right: Compartmentalization
distinguishes eukaryotes from prokaryotes and enables
highly specialized cellular activity.
• Why the Other Options Are Wrong:
o A: Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes contain
ribosomes.
o B: Glycolysis occurs in both cell types.
o D: Both require membrane transport proteins.
• Exam Trap: Equating protein synthesis exclusively with
eukaryotes. Ribosomes exist in both cell types.
• High-Yield Clinical Correlation: Antibiotics often target
bacterial ribosomes because prokaryotic cellular
organization differs from human cells.
, • Memory Anchor: Eukaryotes = organelles =
compartmentalized function.
Q2. A child with recurrent respiratory infections is found to
have dysfunctional motile cilia lining the respiratory epithelium.
The defective structure most directly involves impairment of
which cellular component?
A. Rough endoplasmic reticulum
B. Microtubules arranged in a 9+2 pattern
C. Intermediate filaments attached to desmosomes
D. Microfilaments composed of actin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: Dysfunctional motile cilia causing recurrent
infections suggests impaired mucociliary clearance.
• Mechanism: Cilia are composed of microtubules organized
in a 9+2 arrangement, powered by dynein arms for
coordinated movement.
• Why the Correct Answer Is Right: Defective microtubular
function disrupts ciliary motion and impairs clearance of
respiratory pathogens.
• Why the Other Options Are Wrong:
o A: Rough ER functions in protein synthesis, not
motility.
, o C: Intermediate filaments provide structural integrity.
o D: Microfilaments assist contraction and shape
changes but are not the core of cilia.
• Exam Trap: Confusing cytoskeletal components and their
specific functions.
• High-Yield Clinical Correlation: Primary ciliary dyskinesia
predisposes to chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis, and
infertility.
• Memory Anchor: Cilia move because microtubules
groove.
Q3. A hospitalized patient develops severe muscle weakness
after prolonged fasting. Laboratory studies reveal marked
depletion of intracellular ATP stores. The earliest cellular
consequence most likely involves failure of which process?
A. DNA transcription within the nucleus
B. Sodium-potassium pump activity
C. Ribosomal peptide bond formation
D. Lysosomal enzymatic degradation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: ATP depletion produces early cellular
dysfunction before structural damage.
