ONS/ONCC CHEMOTHERAPY IMMUNOTHERAPY CERTIFICATION EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS TOP RATED VERSION FOR ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT
FEEDBACK | NEW AND REVISED
Question 1
During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur, resulting in the formation of
identical pairs of chromatids?
A) G1 Phase
B) G2 Phase
C) S Phase
D) M Phase
E) G0 Phase
Correct Answer: C) S Phase
Rationale: The Synthesis (S) phase is the period where the cell replicates its entire DNA
content. This process typically lasts between 2 to 10 hours and ensures that each daughter
cell will receive a complete set of genetic instructions.
Question 2
How long does the Mitotic (M) phase typically last, during which replicated chromosomes align
and separate into two identical daughter cells?
A) 10-20 minutes
B) 30-60 minutes
C) 2-4 hours
D) 8-10 hours
E) 24 hours
Correct Answer: B) 30-60 minutes
Rationale: The M phase is relatively short compared to the rest of the cell cycle. It involves
the physical division of the cell (mitosis and cytokinesis) and is a critical target for many
chemotherapy agents like taxanes and vinca alkaloids.
Question 3
Which of the following describes the "Restriction Point" in the cell cycle?
A) The point in G2 where the cell checks for DNA damage.
B) The transition from M phase back to G1.
C) The point in G1 where extracellular growth factors are required to commit the cell to the S
phase.
D) The moment the cell enters apoptosis.
E) The final stage of cytokinesis.
Correct Answer: C) The point in G1 where extracellular growth factors are required to
commit the cell to the S phase.
Rationale: The restriction point is the "point of no return" in G1. Once a cell passes this
, 2
point, it is committed to completing the cell cycle regardless of whether growth factors are
removed.
Question 4
Most cells in the human body reside in the G0 phase. Which of the following is an exception,
remaining metabolically active and frequently cycling?
A) Nerve cells
B) Cardiac muscle cells
C) Epithelium of the GI tract
D) Skeletal muscle cells
E) Osteocytes
Correct Answer: C) Epithelium of the GI tract
Rationale: Cells in the GI tract and bone marrow (granulocytes) are highly proliferative.
This high rate of cell cycling explains why these tissues are frequently damaged by cell-
cycle-specific chemotherapy.
Question 5
Which protein complex is responsible for allowing the cell to progress through the different
checkpoints of the cell cycle?
A) p53 and Rb
B) Insulin-like Growth Factor
C) Cyclins and Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs)
D) Hemoglobin and Myoglobin
E) Histamines and Cytokines
Correct Answer: C) Cyclins and Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs)
Rationale: Progression is driven by the rise and fall of various cyclins which bind to and
activate CDKs. For example, Cyclin D and CDK 4/6 are essential for the G0-G1 transition.
Question 6
Which protein is often referred to as the "suicide gene" because it triggers apoptosis if DNA
damage is too severe to be repaired?
A) CDK 1
B) Cyclin B
C) p53
D) Erb-B2
E) mTOR
Correct Answer: C) p53
Rationale: The p53 protein (encoded by the TP53 gene) is a tumor suppressor. It senses
DNA damage and can halt the cell cycle for repair or initiate programmed cell death
(apoptosis) if the damage is permanent.
, 3
Question 7
All immune system cells originate in the bone marrow from which type of cell?
A) Myeloid precursor
B) Lymphoid precursor
C) Pluripotent stem cell
D) Plasma cell
E) Effector cell
Correct Answer: C) Pluripotent stem cell
Rationale: Pluripotent stem cells are the "grandparents" of all blood cells. They can
differentiate into either myeloid precursors (RBCs, Platelets, Granulocytes) or lymphoid
precursors (B and T lymphocytes).
Question 8
Which component is part of the "Innate" immune system and acts as the first line of defense
without retaining memory of the pathogen?
A) Memory B-cells
B) Helper T-cells
C) Natural Killer (NK) cells
D) Cytotoxic T-cells
E) Plasma cells
Correct Answer: C) Natural Killer (NK) cells
Rationale: Innate immunity includes physical barriers (skin) and cellular components like
NK cells, macrophages, and granulocytes. These provide an immediate response but do not
"learn" or remember specific antigens.
Question 9
Which cell type is responsible for "Humoral Immunity" by producing antibodies
(immunoglobulins)?
A) CD8+ T-cells
B) CD4+ T-cells
C) B-cells
D) Neutrophils
E) Basophils
Correct Answer: C) B-cells
Rationale: Humoral immunity is mediated by B-cells. When activated, B-cells differentiate
into plasma cells that secrete specific antibodies into the blood and lymph to neutralize
pathogens.
Question 10
"Cell-Mediated Immunity" primarily depends on which of the following?
A) B-cells and antibodies
, 4
B) Red blood cells and hemoglobin
C) Cytotoxic T-cells and Helper T-cells
D) Platelets and fibrinogen
E) Basophils and histamine
Correct Answer: C) Cytotoxic T-cells and Helper T-cells
Rationale: Cell-mediated immunity does not involve antibodies but rather the activation of
phagocytes and antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes that directly kill infected or
cancerous cells.
Question 11
What is the primary function of Regulatory T-cells (Tregs)?
A) To directly kill bacteria.
B) To produce large amounts of histamine.
C) To prevent autoimmune reactions and limit inflammatory responses.
D) To carry oxygen to the tumor site.
E) To stimulate angiogenesis.
Correct Answer: C) To prevent autoimmune reactions and limit inflammatory responses.
Rationale: Tregs (formerly known as suppressor T-cells) are essential for maintaining self-
tolerance and ensuring the immune system does not overreact and damage the host's own
healthy tissues.
Question 12
Which type of cytokine is tasked with eliminating antigens and can have both proinflammatory
and anti-inflammatory functions?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Insulin
C) Interleukins
D) Testosterone
E) Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: C) Interleukins
Rationale: Interleukins (such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-6) are a group of cytokines that regulate the
growth, differentiation, and activation of immune cells during the inflammatory and
immune response.
Question 13
Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant (cancer) cells rather than benign cells?
A) Encapsulated growth
B) Well-differentiated structure
C) Lack of contact inhibition
D) Orderly growth with smooth edges
E) Inability to metastasize
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS TOP RATED VERSION FOR ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT
FEEDBACK | NEW AND REVISED
Question 1
During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur, resulting in the formation of
identical pairs of chromatids?
A) G1 Phase
B) G2 Phase
C) S Phase
D) M Phase
E) G0 Phase
Correct Answer: C) S Phase
Rationale: The Synthesis (S) phase is the period where the cell replicates its entire DNA
content. This process typically lasts between 2 to 10 hours and ensures that each daughter
cell will receive a complete set of genetic instructions.
Question 2
How long does the Mitotic (M) phase typically last, during which replicated chromosomes align
and separate into two identical daughter cells?
A) 10-20 minutes
B) 30-60 minutes
C) 2-4 hours
D) 8-10 hours
E) 24 hours
Correct Answer: B) 30-60 minutes
Rationale: The M phase is relatively short compared to the rest of the cell cycle. It involves
the physical division of the cell (mitosis and cytokinesis) and is a critical target for many
chemotherapy agents like taxanes and vinca alkaloids.
Question 3
Which of the following describes the "Restriction Point" in the cell cycle?
A) The point in G2 where the cell checks for DNA damage.
B) The transition from M phase back to G1.
C) The point in G1 where extracellular growth factors are required to commit the cell to the S
phase.
D) The moment the cell enters apoptosis.
E) The final stage of cytokinesis.
Correct Answer: C) The point in G1 where extracellular growth factors are required to
commit the cell to the S phase.
Rationale: The restriction point is the "point of no return" in G1. Once a cell passes this
, 2
point, it is committed to completing the cell cycle regardless of whether growth factors are
removed.
Question 4
Most cells in the human body reside in the G0 phase. Which of the following is an exception,
remaining metabolically active and frequently cycling?
A) Nerve cells
B) Cardiac muscle cells
C) Epithelium of the GI tract
D) Skeletal muscle cells
E) Osteocytes
Correct Answer: C) Epithelium of the GI tract
Rationale: Cells in the GI tract and bone marrow (granulocytes) are highly proliferative.
This high rate of cell cycling explains why these tissues are frequently damaged by cell-
cycle-specific chemotherapy.
Question 5
Which protein complex is responsible for allowing the cell to progress through the different
checkpoints of the cell cycle?
A) p53 and Rb
B) Insulin-like Growth Factor
C) Cyclins and Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs)
D) Hemoglobin and Myoglobin
E) Histamines and Cytokines
Correct Answer: C) Cyclins and Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs)
Rationale: Progression is driven by the rise and fall of various cyclins which bind to and
activate CDKs. For example, Cyclin D and CDK 4/6 are essential for the G0-G1 transition.
Question 6
Which protein is often referred to as the "suicide gene" because it triggers apoptosis if DNA
damage is too severe to be repaired?
A) CDK 1
B) Cyclin B
C) p53
D) Erb-B2
E) mTOR
Correct Answer: C) p53
Rationale: The p53 protein (encoded by the TP53 gene) is a tumor suppressor. It senses
DNA damage and can halt the cell cycle for repair or initiate programmed cell death
(apoptosis) if the damage is permanent.
, 3
Question 7
All immune system cells originate in the bone marrow from which type of cell?
A) Myeloid precursor
B) Lymphoid precursor
C) Pluripotent stem cell
D) Plasma cell
E) Effector cell
Correct Answer: C) Pluripotent stem cell
Rationale: Pluripotent stem cells are the "grandparents" of all blood cells. They can
differentiate into either myeloid precursors (RBCs, Platelets, Granulocytes) or lymphoid
precursors (B and T lymphocytes).
Question 8
Which component is part of the "Innate" immune system and acts as the first line of defense
without retaining memory of the pathogen?
A) Memory B-cells
B) Helper T-cells
C) Natural Killer (NK) cells
D) Cytotoxic T-cells
E) Plasma cells
Correct Answer: C) Natural Killer (NK) cells
Rationale: Innate immunity includes physical barriers (skin) and cellular components like
NK cells, macrophages, and granulocytes. These provide an immediate response but do not
"learn" or remember specific antigens.
Question 9
Which cell type is responsible for "Humoral Immunity" by producing antibodies
(immunoglobulins)?
A) CD8+ T-cells
B) CD4+ T-cells
C) B-cells
D) Neutrophils
E) Basophils
Correct Answer: C) B-cells
Rationale: Humoral immunity is mediated by B-cells. When activated, B-cells differentiate
into plasma cells that secrete specific antibodies into the blood and lymph to neutralize
pathogens.
Question 10
"Cell-Mediated Immunity" primarily depends on which of the following?
A) B-cells and antibodies
, 4
B) Red blood cells and hemoglobin
C) Cytotoxic T-cells and Helper T-cells
D) Platelets and fibrinogen
E) Basophils and histamine
Correct Answer: C) Cytotoxic T-cells and Helper T-cells
Rationale: Cell-mediated immunity does not involve antibodies but rather the activation of
phagocytes and antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes that directly kill infected or
cancerous cells.
Question 11
What is the primary function of Regulatory T-cells (Tregs)?
A) To directly kill bacteria.
B) To produce large amounts of histamine.
C) To prevent autoimmune reactions and limit inflammatory responses.
D) To carry oxygen to the tumor site.
E) To stimulate angiogenesis.
Correct Answer: C) To prevent autoimmune reactions and limit inflammatory responses.
Rationale: Tregs (formerly known as suppressor T-cells) are essential for maintaining self-
tolerance and ensuring the immune system does not overreact and damage the host's own
healthy tissues.
Question 12
Which type of cytokine is tasked with eliminating antigens and can have both proinflammatory
and anti-inflammatory functions?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Insulin
C) Interleukins
D) Testosterone
E) Acetylcholine
Correct Answer: C) Interleukins
Rationale: Interleukins (such as IL-1, IL-2, IL-6) are a group of cytokines that regulate the
growth, differentiation, and activation of immune cells during the inflammatory and
immune response.
Question 13
Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant (cancer) cells rather than benign cells?
A) Encapsulated growth
B) Well-differentiated structure
C) Lack of contact inhibition
D) Orderly growth with smooth edges
E) Inability to metastasize
