(2026) Q&A
1. Which of the following best describes the process by which a cell increases in size, leading
to an increase in the size of the affected organ?
A) Hyperplasia
B) Hypertrophy
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: B) Hypertrophy
Rationale: Hypertrophy is defined as an increase in cell size, not cell number, which results
in an enlarged organ. Hyperplasia involves an increase in cell number. Atrophy is a decrease
in cell size, and metaplasia is the replacement of one differentiated cell type with another.
2. A 72-year-old male presents with a reduced ejection fraction due to left ventricular
hypertrophy. Which of the following best describes the cellular adaptation occurring in his
heart?
A) An increase in cell number
B) An increase in cell size
C) A decrease in cell size
D) A change from one cell type to another
Correct Answer: B) An increase in cell size
Rationale: Left ventricular hypertrophy is a classic example of hypertrophy, where cardiac
muscle cells increase in size in response to increased workload, such as chronic hypertension.
This differs from hyperplasia, which involves an increase in cell number.
3. Which of the following is a true premalignant lesion characterized by cells that mutate into
cells of a different size, shape, and appearance?
,A) Metaplasia
B) Dysplasia
C) Anaplasia
D) Neoplasia
Correct Answer: B) Dysplasia
Rationale: Dysplasia is characterized by abnormal cell growth and differentiation, often
described as atypical hyperplasia. It is considered a true premalignant lesion. Metaplasia is a
reversible change from one adult cell type to another, and anaplasia is a loss of cellular
differentiation.
4. Which phase of meiosis involves the splitting of chromosome pairs by spindle
microtubules from centrioles?
A) Metaphase I
B) Anaphase I
C) Telophase I
D) Prophase I
Correct Answer: B) Anaphase I
Rationale: During anaphase I of meiosis, spindle microtubules from centrioles split
chromosome pairs, pulling homologous chromosomes to opposite poles. Metaphase I
involves the alignment of chromosome pairs at the metaphase plate.
5. During glycolysis, which enzyme converts fructose-1,6-biphosphate into glyceraldehyde-
3-phosphate?
A) Hexokinase
B) Phosphofructokinase
C) Aldolase
D) Pyruvate kinase
, Correct Answer: C) Aldolase
Rationale: Aldolase catalyzes the conversion of fructose-1,6-biphosphate into
glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Hexokinase and
phosphofructokinase are involved in earlier steps of glycolysis, while pyruvate kinase
catalyzes the final step.
6. Which molecule serves as the entry point for most glucogenic amino acids into the
gluconeogenic pathway?
A) Pyruvate
B) Oxaloacetate
C) Acetyl-CoA
D) Alpha-ketoglutarate
Correct Answer: B) Oxaloacetate
Rationale: Oxaloacetate is a key gluconeogenic intermediate that serves as the entry point
for most glucogenic amino acids. Pyruvate can also be converted to oxaloacetate, but
oxaloacetate is the direct entry point for many amino acids.
7. Which of the following occurs during telophase/cytokinesis?
A) Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate
B) Chromosome pairs split and move to opposite poles
C) Mitosis ends with two diploid cells
D) DNA replication occurs
Correct Answer: C) Mitosis ends with two diploid cells
Rationale: Telophase is the final stage of mitosis, followed by cytokinesis, resulting in two
genetically identical diploid cells. Chromosome alignment occurs in metaphase, and
chromosome splitting occurs in anaphase.