General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: In hemochromatosis, in which organ is iron NOT typically deposited?

Testis. In **Hereditary Hemochromatosis**, an autosomal recessive disorder of iron metabolism, excessive iron is deposited in various parenchymal organs as **hemosiderin**, leading to tissue damage and fibrosis. ### Why Testis is the Correct Answer While hemochromatosis frequently causes **hypogonadotropic hypogonadism**, the primary site of iron deposition is the **Pituitary gland** (specifically the gonadotroph cells), not the testes themselves. Testicular atrophy occurs as a secondary phenomenon due to the lack of FSH and LH stimulation. Therefore, the testis is not a typical site for direct iron deposition. ### Analysis of Incorrect Options * **Heart (A):** Iron deposits in the myocardium, leading to **Restrictive Cardiomyopathy** (early stage) or **Dilated Cardiomyopathy** (late stage) and arrhythmias. * **Pituitary (B):** The anterior pituitary is a major site of deposition. Damage to gonadotrophs leads to decreased libido and impotence, a hallmark of the clinical triad. * **Skin (D):** Iron deposition in the dermis, combined with increased melanin production, results in the characteristic "slate-gray" or metallic pigmentation, contributing to the term **"Bronze Diabetes."** ### High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG * **Classic Triad:** Cirrhosis, Diabetes Mellitus ("Bronze Diabetes"), and Skin Pigmentation. * **Most Common Cause:** Mutation in the **HFE gene** (C282Y mutation on Chromosome 6). * **Joint Involvement:** Characterized by **CPPD (Pseudogout)**, typically involving the 2nd and 3rd metacarpophalangeal joints. * **Stain:** **Prussian Blue** stain is used to visualize hemosiderin (iron) in biopsy samples. * **Treatment of Choice:** Therapeutic phlebotomy.

Q: All of the following are intermediate filaments except?

Cadherin. **Explanation:** The cytoskeleton of a cell consists of three main components: microfilaments (actin), microtubules (tubulin), and **intermediate filaments (IFs)**. Intermediate filaments provide mechanical strength to cells and are categorized into several types based on their tissue distribution. **Why Cadherin is the correct answer:** **Cadherins** are not intermediate filaments; they are **transmembrane cell adhesion molecules**. They play a critical role in cell-cell junctions (like desmosomes and adherens junctions) by mediating calcium-dependent adhesion [1]. While cadherins often link to the cytoskeleton internally, they are structurally distinct from the IF family. **Analysis of incorrect options:** * **Lamin (Option A):** These are Type V intermediate filaments located within the nucleus (nuclear lamina). They provide structural support to the nuclear envelope and regulate DNA replication. * **Vimentin (Option C):** A Type III intermediate filament found in cells of **mesenchymal origin** (e.g., fibroblasts, endothelium, smooth muscle). It is a classic IHC marker for sarcomas. * **Desmin (Option D):** Also a Type III intermediate filament, specifically found in **all types of muscle cells** (skeletal, cardiac, and smooth). It is used as an IHC marker to identify myogenic tumors (e.g., rhabdomyosarcoma). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Cytokeratin:** IF for epithelial cells (Marker for Carcinomas). * **GFAP:** IF for glial cells (Marker for Astrocytomas). * **Neurofilaments:** IF for neurons (Marker for Neuroblastoma/Pheochromocytoma). * **Mallory Hyaline:** These are inclusions of pre-keratin intermediate filaments found in alcoholic liver disease. * **Diagnostic Tip:** If a question asks for a marker of "mesenchymal origin," always look for **Vimentin**. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. With Illustrations By, pp. 23-24.

Q: Examine the above pedigree chart. Which one of the following diseases is the most likely for this situation?

Beta-thalassemia. ***Beta-thalassemia*** - Shows classic **autosomal recessive** inheritance pattern with **unaffected carrier parents** producing affected offspring, demonstrating **equal sex distribution** among affected individuals. - Consistent with the pedigree showing **affected children from consanguineous marriages** and **horizontal inheritance** pattern typical of recessive disorders. *Neurofibromatosis* - Follows **autosomal dominant** inheritance pattern where affected individuals would have at least **one affected parent** in each generation. - Would show **vertical transmission** through generations with approximately **50% risk** to offspring of affected individuals, which contradicts the pedigree pattern. *Colour blindness* - Demonstrates **X-linked recessive** inheritance with **male predominance** and affected males having **unaffected parents** but **carrier mothers**. - Would show characteristic pattern of **affected grandfathers** passing the trait through **carrier daughters** to affected grandsons, not the equal sex distribution seen. *Vitamin D resistant rickets* - Exhibits **X-linked dominant** inheritance where **affected males** pass the condition to **all daughters** but **no sons**. - Would demonstrate **no male-to-male transmission** and affected females having **50% risk** regardless of offspring sex, inconsistent with this pedigree.

Question 1

The skin pigmentation in bronze diabetes is due to?

Accepted Answer

Both melanin and hemosiderin

Answer

Bronze diabetes

Answer

Lipofuscin

Answer

Melanin

Question 2

Which one of the following occurs in ischemic cardiac tissue?

Accepted Answer

Increased anaerobic glycolysis

Answer

Increased ATP

Answer

Increased pH

Answer

Increased release of Calcium

Question 3

Which of the following types of necrosis is seen in blood vessels due to immune complex-mediated damage?

Accepted Answer

Fibrinoid necrosis

Answer

Coagulative necrosis

Answer

Liquefactive necrosis

Answer

Caseous necrosis

Question 4

Botryoid odontogenic cyst is a variant of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Lateral periodontal cyst

Answer

Apical periodontal cyst

Answer

Gingival cysts of newborns

Answer

Gingival cysts of adults

Question 5

Which of the following stem cell populations are found in bone marrow except?

Accepted Answer

Myoblast progenitor cells

Answer

Endothelial progenitor cells

Answer

Mesenchymal stem cells

Answer

Hematopoetic stem cells

Question 6

In hemochromatosis, in which organ is iron NOT typically deposited?

Accepted Answer

Testis

Answer

Heart

Answer

Pituitary

Answer

Skin

Question 7

Which of the following statements regarding pyroptosis is not true?

Accepted Answer

It is a caspase-independent process.

Answer

NOD-Like receptors play a major role in its initiation.

Answer

The cell membrane is damaged.

Answer

Inflammation is present.

Question 8

All of the following are intermediate filaments except?

Accepted Answer

Cadherin

Answer

Lamin

Answer

Vimentin

Answer

Desmin

Question 9

Examine the above pedigree chart. Which one of the following diseases is the most likely for this situation?

Accepted Answer

Beta-thalassemia

Answer

Neurofibromatosis

Answer

Colour blindness

Answer

Vitamin D resistant rickets

Question 10

Which of the following is a proapoptotic marker?

Accepted Answer

BAX

Answer

BCL-X

Answer

BCL-2

Answer

Mcl-1

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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