Test Bank for McCance & Huether
Pathophysiology 9th Edition | Julia Rogers |
ISBN 978-0323789875 | Verified Questions &
Answers | 2026 Study Guide
• This 300-question study guide covers Pathophysiology from Chapter 1 to the final
chapter, aligned with McCance & Huether's framework — use it by testing yourself
first, then reviewing the EXPERT RATIONALE for every question you miss.
• Each question includes five options (A–E), a highlighted correct answer, and a
EXPERT RATIONALE to deepen your understanding of disease mechanisms and
clinical application.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY — QUESTION EXAM
Based on McCance & Huether Pathophysiology 9th Edition
CHAPTER 1 — CELLULAR BIOLOGY
1. What is the basic unit of structure and function in the human body?
A. Tissue
B. Organ
C. Nucleus
D. Cell
E. Organelle
Correct Answer: D. Cell
EXPERT RATIONALE: The cell is the fundamental unit of life. All tissues, organs,
and systems are composed of specialized cells that carry out specific physiological
functions.
,2. Which organelle is responsible for producing ATP through aerobic
respiration?
A. Ribosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Endoplasmic reticulum
D. Nucleus
E. Mitochondria
Correct Answer: E. Mitochondria
EXPERT RATIONALE: Mitochondria generate ATP via oxidative phosphorylation,
serving as the cell's primary energy source. They contain their own DNA and are
essential for cell survival.
3. Which process describes the movement of water across a semipermeable
membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute
concentration?
A. Diffusion
B. Active transport
C. Filtration
D. Endocytosis
E. Osmosis
Correct Answer: E. Osmosis
EXPERT RATIONALE: Osmosis is the passive movement of water down its
concentration gradient across a selectively permeable membrane, equalizing solute
concentrations on both sides.
,4. What type of cellular adaptation occurs when cells increase in size in
response to increased workload?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
E. Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: E. Hypertrophy
EXPERT RATIONALE: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size without an increase
in cell number. It commonly occurs in cardiac and skeletal muscle in response to
increased demand.
5. Which type of cell death is programmed and orderly, designed to eliminate
unnecessary cells without triggering inflammation?
A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
C. Liquefaction
D. Coagulation
E. Apoptosis
Correct Answer: E. Apoptosis
EXPERT RATIONALE: Apoptosis is a regulated, energy-dependent process of cell
self-destruction. It is essential during development and tissue homeostasis and
does not elicit an inflammatory response.
6. The sodium-potassium pump maintains membrane potential by:
A. Moving Na⁺ into the cell and K⁺ out
, B. Using no energy, relying on passive transport
C. Moving equal amounts of Na⁺ and K⁺ in the same direction
D. Allowing free diffusion of ions
E. Moving 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ into the cell
Correct Answer: E. Moving 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ into the cell
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump actively transports 3 sodium
ions out and 2 potassium ions in per cycle, maintaining the electrochemical
gradient necessary for cell function.
7. When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, what happens?
A. The cell swells and may burst
B. The cell remains unchanged
C. The cell undergoes mitosis
D. The cell increases ATP production
E. The cell shrinks due to water loss
Correct Answer: E. The cell shrinks due to water loss
EXPERT RATIONALE: In a hypertonic environment, water moves out of the cell
by osmosis toward the higher solute concentration outside, causing the cell to
shrink (crenation).
8. Which cellular component contains the genetic information of the cell?
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosome
C. Lysosome
D. Golgi apparatus
Pathophysiology 9th Edition | Julia Rogers |
ISBN 978-0323789875 | Verified Questions &
Answers | 2026 Study Guide
• This 300-question study guide covers Pathophysiology from Chapter 1 to the final
chapter, aligned with McCance & Huether's framework — use it by testing yourself
first, then reviewing the EXPERT RATIONALE for every question you miss.
• Each question includes five options (A–E), a highlighted correct answer, and a
EXPERT RATIONALE to deepen your understanding of disease mechanisms and
clinical application.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY — QUESTION EXAM
Based on McCance & Huether Pathophysiology 9th Edition
CHAPTER 1 — CELLULAR BIOLOGY
1. What is the basic unit of structure and function in the human body?
A. Tissue
B. Organ
C. Nucleus
D. Cell
E. Organelle
Correct Answer: D. Cell
EXPERT RATIONALE: The cell is the fundamental unit of life. All tissues, organs,
and systems are composed of specialized cells that carry out specific physiological
functions.
,2. Which organelle is responsible for producing ATP through aerobic
respiration?
A. Ribosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Endoplasmic reticulum
D. Nucleus
E. Mitochondria
Correct Answer: E. Mitochondria
EXPERT RATIONALE: Mitochondria generate ATP via oxidative phosphorylation,
serving as the cell's primary energy source. They contain their own DNA and are
essential for cell survival.
3. Which process describes the movement of water across a semipermeable
membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute
concentration?
A. Diffusion
B. Active transport
C. Filtration
D. Endocytosis
E. Osmosis
Correct Answer: E. Osmosis
EXPERT RATIONALE: Osmosis is the passive movement of water down its
concentration gradient across a selectively permeable membrane, equalizing solute
concentrations on both sides.
,4. What type of cellular adaptation occurs when cells increase in size in
response to increased workload?
A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy
E. Hypertrophy
Correct Answer: E. Hypertrophy
EXPERT RATIONALE: Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size without an increase
in cell number. It commonly occurs in cardiac and skeletal muscle in response to
increased demand.
5. Which type of cell death is programmed and orderly, designed to eliminate
unnecessary cells without triggering inflammation?
A. Necrosis
B. Autolysis
C. Liquefaction
D. Coagulation
E. Apoptosis
Correct Answer: E. Apoptosis
EXPERT RATIONALE: Apoptosis is a regulated, energy-dependent process of cell
self-destruction. It is essential during development and tissue homeostasis and
does not elicit an inflammatory response.
6. The sodium-potassium pump maintains membrane potential by:
A. Moving Na⁺ into the cell and K⁺ out
, B. Using no energy, relying on passive transport
C. Moving equal amounts of Na⁺ and K⁺ in the same direction
D. Allowing free diffusion of ions
E. Moving 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ into the cell
Correct Answer: E. Moving 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ into the cell
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump actively transports 3 sodium
ions out and 2 potassium ions in per cycle, maintaining the electrochemical
gradient necessary for cell function.
7. When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, what happens?
A. The cell swells and may burst
B. The cell remains unchanged
C. The cell undergoes mitosis
D. The cell increases ATP production
E. The cell shrinks due to water loss
Correct Answer: E. The cell shrinks due to water loss
EXPERT RATIONALE: In a hypertonic environment, water moves out of the cell
by osmosis toward the higher solute concentration outside, causing the cell to
shrink (crenation).
8. Which cellular component contains the genetic information of the cell?
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosome
C. Lysosome
D. Golgi apparatus
