McCance & Huether’s Pathophysiology
The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults
and Children
9th Edition
Author(s)Julia Rogers
TEST BANK
Q1. A researcher cultures two cell populations. One
demonstrates membrane-bound organelles and linear
chromosomes enclosed within a nucleus, whereas the
other lacks a nuclear membrane and reproduces through
binary fission. The structural distinction most directly
explains which additional feature in the second
population?
, A. Ribosomes attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum
B. DNA organized into histone-associated chromosomes
C. Coupled transcription and translation within the
cytoplasm
D. ATP production confined exclusively to mitochondria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: The stem contrasts prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cellular organization.
• Mechanism: Prokaryotes lack a nucleus, allowing
transcription and translation to occur simultaneously in
the cytoplasm.
• Why the Correct Answer Is Right: Absence of nuclear
compartmentalization permits immediate translation of
newly transcribed mRNA.
• Why the Other Options Are Wrong:
o A: Rough ER exists only in eukaryotes.
o B: Histone-associated chromosomes are
characteristic of eukaryotes.
o D: Prokaryotes generate ATP across plasma
membranes, not mitochondria.
• Exam Trap: Assuming all cells separate transcription from
translation.
,• High-Yield Clinical Correlation: Antibiotics often target
prokaryotic ribosomes because of differences from
eukaryotic cells.
• Memory Anchor: No nucleus = simultaneous gene
expression.
Q2. A child with recurrent respiratory infections is found to
have dysfunctional ciliary movement in airway epithelial
cells. The impaired movement is most directly attributable
to abnormal function of which intracellular structure?
A. Intermediate filaments
B. Microtubules organized into axonemes
C. Golgi-derived transport vesicles
D. Lysosomal hydrolases
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: Dysfunctional cilia suggest impaired cellular
motility.
• Mechanism: Cilia contain microtubules arranged in a 9+2
axonemal pattern powered by dynein ATPase activity.
• Why the Correct Answer Is Right: Microtubules provide
structural organization and coordinated motion for cilia.
• Why the Other Options Are Wrong:
, o A: Intermediate filaments provide structural support,
not ciliary beating.
o C: Vesicles transport proteins but do not mediate
movement.
o D: Lysosomes degrade cellular debris.
• Exam Trap: Confusing cytoskeletal components.
• High-Yield Clinical Correlation: Primary ciliary dyskinesia
predisposes to recurrent pulmonary infections and
infertility.
• Memory Anchor: Cilia glide on microtubules.
Q3. A hepatocyte exposed to a toxin demonstrates marked
swelling and reduced ATP production before cell death
occurs. Failure of which organelle best accounts for the
earliest pathophysiologic change?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
C. Lysosome
D. Mitochondrion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: ATP depletion and cellular swelling indicate
early reversible injury.
The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults
and Children
9th Edition
Author(s)Julia Rogers
TEST BANK
Q1. A researcher cultures two cell populations. One
demonstrates membrane-bound organelles and linear
chromosomes enclosed within a nucleus, whereas the
other lacks a nuclear membrane and reproduces through
binary fission. The structural distinction most directly
explains which additional feature in the second
population?
, A. Ribosomes attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum
B. DNA organized into histone-associated chromosomes
C. Coupled transcription and translation within the
cytoplasm
D. ATP production confined exclusively to mitochondria
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: The stem contrasts prokaryotic and
eukaryotic cellular organization.
• Mechanism: Prokaryotes lack a nucleus, allowing
transcription and translation to occur simultaneously in
the cytoplasm.
• Why the Correct Answer Is Right: Absence of nuclear
compartmentalization permits immediate translation of
newly transcribed mRNA.
• Why the Other Options Are Wrong:
o A: Rough ER exists only in eukaryotes.
o B: Histone-associated chromosomes are
characteristic of eukaryotes.
o D: Prokaryotes generate ATP across plasma
membranes, not mitochondria.
• Exam Trap: Assuming all cells separate transcription from
translation.
,• High-Yield Clinical Correlation: Antibiotics often target
prokaryotic ribosomes because of differences from
eukaryotic cells.
• Memory Anchor: No nucleus = simultaneous gene
expression.
Q2. A child with recurrent respiratory infections is found to
have dysfunctional ciliary movement in airway epithelial
cells. The impaired movement is most directly attributable
to abnormal function of which intracellular structure?
A. Intermediate filaments
B. Microtubules organized into axonemes
C. Golgi-derived transport vesicles
D. Lysosomal hydrolases
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: Dysfunctional cilia suggest impaired cellular
motility.
• Mechanism: Cilia contain microtubules arranged in a 9+2
axonemal pattern powered by dynein ATPase activity.
• Why the Correct Answer Is Right: Microtubules provide
structural organization and coordinated motion for cilia.
• Why the Other Options Are Wrong:
, o A: Intermediate filaments provide structural support,
not ciliary beating.
o C: Vesicles transport proteins but do not mediate
movement.
o D: Lysosomes degrade cellular debris.
• Exam Trap: Confusing cytoskeletal components.
• High-Yield Clinical Correlation: Primary ciliary dyskinesia
predisposes to recurrent pulmonary infections and
infertility.
• Memory Anchor: Cilia glide on microtubules.
Q3. A hepatocyte exposed to a toxin demonstrates marked
swelling and reduced ATP production before cell death
occurs. Failure of which organelle best accounts for the
earliest pathophysiologic change?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
C. Lysosome
D. Mitochondrion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
• Clinical Clue: ATP depletion and cellular swelling indicate
early reversible injury.
