McCance & Huether’s Pathophysiology
The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children
9th Edition
• Author(s)Julia Rogers
TEST BANK
McCance & Huether — Pathophysiology, 9th Ed. — Chapter 1:
Cellular Biology.
1. Chapter 1 | Section: Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes | Title:
Cellular Biology
Stem: A hospitalized patient has an infection caused by a
bacterium. Which cellular feature most clearly distinguishes the
infecting organism (prokaryote) from the patient’s own cells
(eukaryotes) and guides antibiotic targeting?
A. Presence of mitochondria
B. Absence of membrane-bound nucleus
C. Presence of 80S ribosomes
D. Presence of a phospholipid bilayer membrane
Correct Answer: B
,Rationales:
• Correct: Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus;
their DNA is not enclosed, a fundamental difference
exploited by many antibiotics and laboratory identification.
• A: Incorrect — mitochondria are found in eukaryotes, not
prokaryotes; their presence does not identify bacteria.
• C: Incorrect — 80S ribosomes are eukaryotic; prokaryotes
have 70S ribosomes, which are antibiotic targets.
• D: Incorrect — both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have
phospholipid bilayers, so this does not distinguish them.
Teaching Point: Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
and have 70S ribosomes.
Stem Rules: Concise, clinically oriented; single-best-answer.
2. Chapter 1 | Section: Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes | Title:
Cellular Biology
Stem: A microbiology student observes a small cell with no
internal organelles under electron microscopy. Which feature
would confirm it is a prokaryote rather than a eukaryote?
A. Linear chromosomes with histones
B. Membrane-bound organelles visible
C. 70S ribosomes and circular DNA
D. Nuclear envelope surrounding DNA
Correct Answer: C
,Rationales:
• Correct: Prokaryotes characteristically have 70S ribosomes
and circular DNA without histones.
• A: Incorrect — linear chromosomes with histones are
eukaryotic features.
• B: Incorrect — membrane-bound organelles are absent in
prokaryotes.
• D: Incorrect — a nuclear envelope indicates eukaryotic
cells.
Teaching Point: Prokaryotes have circular DNA and 70S
ribosomes; no nuclear envelope.
Stem Rules: Short, factual, microscope-context scenario.
3. Chapter 1 | Section: Cellular Functions | Title: Cellular
Biology
Stem: A patient’s neutrophils show reduced chemotaxis. Which
core cellular function is directly impaired?
A. Cellular metabolism
B. Cellular communications and signaling
C. Structural integrity of membranes
D. Mitochondrial ATP production
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
, • Correct: Chemotaxis depends on cellular communication
and signal-transduction pathways that direct motility
toward chemokines.
• A: Incorrect — metabolism provides energy but does not
directly encode chemotactic signaling.
• C: Incorrect — membrane integrity is necessary but not
the direct mediator of chemotactic guidance.
• D: Incorrect — ATP is required for motility but the defect
described is signaling-specific.
Teaching Point: Chemotaxis is a signal-transduction–dependent
cellular communication function.
Stem Rules: Clinical sign → identify cellular function.
4. Chapter 1 | Section: Structure and Function of Cellular
Components | Title: Cellular Biology
Stem: A patient with mitochondrial encephalopathy has
elevated lactate levels. Which mitochondrial function is most
likely impaired?
A. Fatty acid synthesis
B. Oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport chain)
C. Protein synthesis on rough ER
D. Peroxisomal β-oxidation
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children
9th Edition
• Author(s)Julia Rogers
TEST BANK
McCance & Huether — Pathophysiology, 9th Ed. — Chapter 1:
Cellular Biology.
1. Chapter 1 | Section: Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes | Title:
Cellular Biology
Stem: A hospitalized patient has an infection caused by a
bacterium. Which cellular feature most clearly distinguishes the
infecting organism (prokaryote) from the patient’s own cells
(eukaryotes) and guides antibiotic targeting?
A. Presence of mitochondria
B. Absence of membrane-bound nucleus
C. Presence of 80S ribosomes
D. Presence of a phospholipid bilayer membrane
Correct Answer: B
,Rationales:
• Correct: Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus;
their DNA is not enclosed, a fundamental difference
exploited by many antibiotics and laboratory identification.
• A: Incorrect — mitochondria are found in eukaryotes, not
prokaryotes; their presence does not identify bacteria.
• C: Incorrect — 80S ribosomes are eukaryotic; prokaryotes
have 70S ribosomes, which are antibiotic targets.
• D: Incorrect — both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have
phospholipid bilayers, so this does not distinguish them.
Teaching Point: Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus
and have 70S ribosomes.
Stem Rules: Concise, clinically oriented; single-best-answer.
2. Chapter 1 | Section: Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes | Title:
Cellular Biology
Stem: A microbiology student observes a small cell with no
internal organelles under electron microscopy. Which feature
would confirm it is a prokaryote rather than a eukaryote?
A. Linear chromosomes with histones
B. Membrane-bound organelles visible
C. 70S ribosomes and circular DNA
D. Nuclear envelope surrounding DNA
Correct Answer: C
,Rationales:
• Correct: Prokaryotes characteristically have 70S ribosomes
and circular DNA without histones.
• A: Incorrect — linear chromosomes with histones are
eukaryotic features.
• B: Incorrect — membrane-bound organelles are absent in
prokaryotes.
• D: Incorrect — a nuclear envelope indicates eukaryotic
cells.
Teaching Point: Prokaryotes have circular DNA and 70S
ribosomes; no nuclear envelope.
Stem Rules: Short, factual, microscope-context scenario.
3. Chapter 1 | Section: Cellular Functions | Title: Cellular
Biology
Stem: A patient’s neutrophils show reduced chemotaxis. Which
core cellular function is directly impaired?
A. Cellular metabolism
B. Cellular communications and signaling
C. Structural integrity of membranes
D. Mitochondrial ATP production
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
, • Correct: Chemotaxis depends on cellular communication
and signal-transduction pathways that direct motility
toward chemokines.
• A: Incorrect — metabolism provides energy but does not
directly encode chemotactic signaling.
• C: Incorrect — membrane integrity is necessary but not
the direct mediator of chemotactic guidance.
• D: Incorrect — ATP is required for motility but the defect
described is signaling-specific.
Teaching Point: Chemotaxis is a signal-transduction–dependent
cellular communication function.
Stem Rules: Clinical sign → identify cellular function.
4. Chapter 1 | Section: Structure and Function of Cellular
Components | Title: Cellular Biology
Stem: A patient with mitochondrial encephalopathy has
elevated lactate levels. Which mitochondrial function is most
likely impaired?
A. Fatty acid synthesis
B. Oxidative phosphorylation (electron transport chain)
C. Protein synthesis on rough ER
D. Peroxisomal β-oxidation
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
