Robbins & Cotran 10th Ed. Pathology Test Bank | Chapter-
by-Chapter Questions & Verified Solutions
Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease
10th Edition
• Author(s)Vinay Kumar; Abul K. Abbas; Jon C. Aster
Chapter & Section: Chapter 1: The Genome
Question: A patient's genetic report indicates a mutation in a
region of DNA that does not code for a protein. A student nurse
questions the clinical relevance of this finding. The nurse
educator's best response would explain that noncoding DNA is
crucial because it:
A. Is a silent part of the genome with no known function.
B. Can be translated into small peptides with minimal cellular
impact.
C. Provides the instructions for synthesizing all cellular
structural proteins.
D. Plays important regulatory roles in gene expression through
epigenetic mechanisms.
Correct Answer: D
• Rationale for D: Only about 1.5% of the human genome
codes for proteins. The remaining 98.5% of noncoding
, DNA is now known to be functionally important, largely
involved in regulating when and how protein-coding genes
are expressed through mechanisms like epigenetics and
histone modification .
• Rationale for A: This is incorrect and an outdated view.
Noncoding DNA is not silent and has vital regulatory
functions.
• Rationale for B: The primary function of noncoding DNA
is regulatory, not translational. While some noncoding
regions may produce functional RNAs, this is not their
defining or most common role.
• Rationale for C: This describes the function of the exome,
the protein-coding portion of the genome (1.5%), not the
noncoding majority.
Teaching Point: Noncoding DNA is functionally essential
for regulating gene expression, not "junk" DNA.
Question 2
Chapter & Section: Chapter 1: Cellular Housekeeping
Question: A nurse is caring for a patient with a
neurodegenerative disease linked to the accumulation of
misfolded proteins. Understanding the pathophysiology, the
nurse knows this failure most likely involves which intracellular
degradation system?
A. Lysosomal-autophagic system
B. Mitochondrial electron transport chain
C. Ubiquitin-proteasome system
,D. Endoplasmic reticulum Golgi system
Correct Answer: C
• Rationale for C: The ubiquitin-proteasome system is
primarily responsible for the targeted degradation of
damaged or misfolded intracellular proteins. Its impairment
is a key mechanism in diseases characterized by abnormal
protein aggregation, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
disease.
• Rationale for A: The lysosomal system degrades
extracellular proteins, old organelles, and intracellular
components via autophagy, but is not the primary system
for clearing individual misfolded proteins.
• Rationale for B: The electron transport chain is involved
in energy (ATP) production, not protein degradation.
• Rationale for D: The ER-Golgi system is involved in
protein synthesis and processing, not degradation.
Teaching Point: The ubiquitin-proteasome system is the
main pathway for degrading misfolded intracellular
proteins.
Question 3
Chapter & Section: Chapter 1: Cellular Metabolism and
Mitochondrial Function
Question: When explaining the role of mitochondria to a
patient, a nurse states they are the "powerhouses of the cell." To
provide a more comprehensive patient education, the nurse
should also include that mitochondria are involved in:
, A. Storage of genetic information in the nucleus.
B. Synthesis of most of the body's structural collagen.
C. Regulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis).
D. Production and secretion of digestive enzymes.
Correct Answer: C
• Rationale for C: Beyond energy production, mitochondria
have a plethora of functions, including a central role in
regulating apoptosis through the release of cytochrome c,
which activates caspases .
• Rationale for A: Mitochondria have their own DNA
(mtDNA), but they do not manage nuclear genetic
information.
• Rationale for B: Collagen synthesis occurs in the
endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, not
mitochondria.
• Rationale for D: Digestive enzymes are produced by the
ribosomes, ER, and Golgi apparatus.
Teaching Point: Mitochondria are multifunctional
organelles, key in energy production, signaling, and
apoptosis regulation.
Question 4
Chapter & Section: Chapter 1: Cellular Metabolism and
Mitochondrial Function
Question: A patient presents with symptoms affecting high-
energy demand tissues like the nervous system and muscles. The
pathophysiology is traced to a mitochondrial electron transport
by-Chapter Questions & Verified Solutions
Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease
10th Edition
• Author(s)Vinay Kumar; Abul K. Abbas; Jon C. Aster
Chapter & Section: Chapter 1: The Genome
Question: A patient's genetic report indicates a mutation in a
region of DNA that does not code for a protein. A student nurse
questions the clinical relevance of this finding. The nurse
educator's best response would explain that noncoding DNA is
crucial because it:
A. Is a silent part of the genome with no known function.
B. Can be translated into small peptides with minimal cellular
impact.
C. Provides the instructions for synthesizing all cellular
structural proteins.
D. Plays important regulatory roles in gene expression through
epigenetic mechanisms.
Correct Answer: D
• Rationale for D: Only about 1.5% of the human genome
codes for proteins. The remaining 98.5% of noncoding
, DNA is now known to be functionally important, largely
involved in regulating when and how protein-coding genes
are expressed through mechanisms like epigenetics and
histone modification .
• Rationale for A: This is incorrect and an outdated view.
Noncoding DNA is not silent and has vital regulatory
functions.
• Rationale for B: The primary function of noncoding DNA
is regulatory, not translational. While some noncoding
regions may produce functional RNAs, this is not their
defining or most common role.
• Rationale for C: This describes the function of the exome,
the protein-coding portion of the genome (1.5%), not the
noncoding majority.
Teaching Point: Noncoding DNA is functionally essential
for regulating gene expression, not "junk" DNA.
Question 2
Chapter & Section: Chapter 1: Cellular Housekeeping
Question: A nurse is caring for a patient with a
neurodegenerative disease linked to the accumulation of
misfolded proteins. Understanding the pathophysiology, the
nurse knows this failure most likely involves which intracellular
degradation system?
A. Lysosomal-autophagic system
B. Mitochondrial electron transport chain
C. Ubiquitin-proteasome system
,D. Endoplasmic reticulum Golgi system
Correct Answer: C
• Rationale for C: The ubiquitin-proteasome system is
primarily responsible for the targeted degradation of
damaged or misfolded intracellular proteins. Its impairment
is a key mechanism in diseases characterized by abnormal
protein aggregation, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
disease.
• Rationale for A: The lysosomal system degrades
extracellular proteins, old organelles, and intracellular
components via autophagy, but is not the primary system
for clearing individual misfolded proteins.
• Rationale for B: The electron transport chain is involved
in energy (ATP) production, not protein degradation.
• Rationale for D: The ER-Golgi system is involved in
protein synthesis and processing, not degradation.
Teaching Point: The ubiquitin-proteasome system is the
main pathway for degrading misfolded intracellular
proteins.
Question 3
Chapter & Section: Chapter 1: Cellular Metabolism and
Mitochondrial Function
Question: When explaining the role of mitochondria to a
patient, a nurse states they are the "powerhouses of the cell." To
provide a more comprehensive patient education, the nurse
should also include that mitochondria are involved in:
, A. Storage of genetic information in the nucleus.
B. Synthesis of most of the body's structural collagen.
C. Regulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis).
D. Production and secretion of digestive enzymes.
Correct Answer: C
• Rationale for C: Beyond energy production, mitochondria
have a plethora of functions, including a central role in
regulating apoptosis through the release of cytochrome c,
which activates caspases .
• Rationale for A: Mitochondria have their own DNA
(mtDNA), but they do not manage nuclear genetic
information.
• Rationale for B: Collagen synthesis occurs in the
endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, not
mitochondria.
• Rationale for D: Digestive enzymes are produced by the
ribosomes, ER, and Golgi apparatus.
Teaching Point: Mitochondria are multifunctional
organelles, key in energy production, signaling, and
apoptosis regulation.
Question 4
Chapter & Section: Chapter 1: Cellular Metabolism and
Mitochondrial Function
Question: A patient presents with symptoms affecting high-
energy demand tissues like the nervous system and muscles. The
pathophysiology is traced to a mitochondrial electron transport
