NUR 631 ADVANCED PHYSIOLOGY AND
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100%
CORRECT | GRADE A+ - GCU
1. What is the primary mechanism by which DNA methylation affects gene expression in the
context of epigenetics?
A. It causes a shift in the reading frame during translation.
B. It increases the affinity of RNA polymerase for the promoter region.
C. It leads to the addition of a methyl group to cytosine, typically silencing the gene.
D. It promotes the acetylation of histone tails.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to the
5-carbon of the cytosine ring, which generally leads to transcriptional silencing of the gene.
2. In the inflammatory response, which mediator is primarily responsible for inducing the
expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells to facilitate leukocyte margination?
A. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)
B. Interleukin-10 (IL-10)
,C. Prostaglandin E2
D. Histamine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: TNF-alpha and IL-1 are pro-inflammatory cytokines that
stimulate endothelial cells to express adhesion molecules like E-selectin and ICAM-1,
crucial for leukocyte recruitment.
3. A patient presents with hyperkalemia. How does this electrolyte imbalance affect the
resting membrane potential (RMP) of cardiac myocytes?
A. It makes the RMP more negative, leading to hyperpolarization.
B. It makes the RMP less negative, bringing it closer to the threshold.
C. It has no effect on RMP, only on the action potential threshold.
D. It increases the permeability of the membrane to sodium ions.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Elevated extracellular potassium decreases the concentration
gradient, causing the resting membrane potential to become less negative (depolarized),
which can initially increase excitability but eventually lead to inactivation of sodium
channels.
, 4. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is characterized by the deposition of immune
complexes in vessel walls or extravascular tissues?
A. Type I
B. Type III
C. Type II
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type III hypersensitivity involves the formation of antigen-
antibody complexes that circulate and deposit in tissues, triggering complement activation
and inflammation (e.g., SLE or glomerulonephritis).
5. According to Frank-Starling’s Law of the Heart, an increase in end-diastolic volume (EDV)
leads to which of the following?
A. Decreased stroke volume due to overstretching of myofibrils.
B. Increased stroke volume due to increased force of contraction.
C. Decreased cardiac output to compensate for higher pressure.
D. Increased heart rate via the Bainbridge reflex.
Answer: B
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100%
CORRECT | GRADE A+ - GCU
1. What is the primary mechanism by which DNA methylation affects gene expression in the
context of epigenetics?
A. It causes a shift in the reading frame during translation.
B. It increases the affinity of RNA polymerase for the promoter region.
C. It leads to the addition of a methyl group to cytosine, typically silencing the gene.
D. It promotes the acetylation of histone tails.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to the
5-carbon of the cytosine ring, which generally leads to transcriptional silencing of the gene.
2. In the inflammatory response, which mediator is primarily responsible for inducing the
expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells to facilitate leukocyte margination?
A. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)
B. Interleukin-10 (IL-10)
,C. Prostaglandin E2
D. Histamine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: TNF-alpha and IL-1 are pro-inflammatory cytokines that
stimulate endothelial cells to express adhesion molecules like E-selectin and ICAM-1,
crucial for leukocyte recruitment.
3. A patient presents with hyperkalemia. How does this electrolyte imbalance affect the
resting membrane potential (RMP) of cardiac myocytes?
A. It makes the RMP more negative, leading to hyperpolarization.
B. It makes the RMP less negative, bringing it closer to the threshold.
C. It has no effect on RMP, only on the action potential threshold.
D. It increases the permeability of the membrane to sodium ions.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Elevated extracellular potassium decreases the concentration
gradient, causing the resting membrane potential to become less negative (depolarized),
which can initially increase excitability but eventually lead to inactivation of sodium
channels.
, 4. Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is characterized by the deposition of immune
complexes in vessel walls or extravascular tissues?
A. Type I
B. Type III
C. Type II
D. Type IV
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Type III hypersensitivity involves the formation of antigen-
antibody complexes that circulate and deposit in tissues, triggering complement activation
and inflammation (e.g., SLE or glomerulonephritis).
5. According to Frank-Starling’s Law of the Heart, an increase in end-diastolic volume (EDV)
leads to which of the following?
A. Decreased stroke volume due to overstretching of myofibrils.
B. Increased stroke volume due to increased force of contraction.
C. Decreased cardiac output to compensate for higher pressure.
D. Increased heart rate via the Bainbridge reflex.
Answer: B
