| South College | Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationales | 2026 Q&A
Questions 1–200
Domain 1: Cellular Biology & Genetics (Questions 1–30)
1. A patient with chronic heart failure develops an enlarged
heart. This cellular adaptation is best described as:
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
,D) Metaplasia
Answer B: Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size, often in
response to increased workload, as seen in cardiac myocytes
in heart failure.
2. Which cellular adaptation involves the replacement of one
differentiated cell type with another?
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Answer D: Metaplasia
Rationale: Metaplasia is a reversible replacement of one
mature cell type by another, often in response to chronic
irritation.
,3. A patient with chronic gastroesophageal reflux develops
Barrett esophagus. This is an example of:
A) Atrophy
B) Hypertrophy
C) Hyperplasia
D) Metaplasia
Answer D: Metaplasia
Rationale: Barrett esophagus involves replacement of
squamous epithelium with columnar epithelium in response to
chronic acid exposure.
4. Programmed cell death is known as:
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Answer B: Apoptosis
, Rationale: Apoptosis is an orderly, programmed cell death
that eliminates damaged or unnecessary cells without
inflammation.
5. Unprogrammed cell death resulting from injury is known
as:
A) Necrosis
B) Apoptosis
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Answer A: Necrosis
Rationale: Necrosis is unprogrammed cell death caused by
injury, leading to inflammation and cellular swelling.
6. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
develops squamous metaplasia of the bronchial epithelium.
This is most likely due to: