General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Pyroptosis is associated with which of the following cytokines?

IL-1. **Explanation:** **Pyroptosis** is a specialized form of programmed cell death that uniquely triggers an intense inflammatory response. It is primarily mediated by the activation of the **Inflammasome** (a multi-protein intracellular complex) [1]. 1. **Why IL-1 is Correct:** The hallmark of pyroptosis is the activation of **Caspase-1** (and sometimes Caspase-4/5/11). Caspase-1 performs two critical functions: * It cleaves the precursor **Pro-IL-1̢** into its active, potent inflammatory form, **IL-1̢** [1]. * It cleaves **Gasdermin D**, which forms pores in the plasma membrane. These pores allow the swelling, osmotic lysis of the cell, and the massive release of IL-1 into the extracellular space, recruiting further inflammatory cells. 2. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **IL-2:** Primarily a T-cell growth factor involved in adaptive immunity and lymphocyte proliferation. * **IL-5:** Involved in eosinophil activation and recruitment; it is a key cytokine in Type I hypersensitivity and helminthic infections. * **IL-6:** A major pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the acute phase response (CRP production), but it is not the direct product of the inflammasome-caspase-1 pathway that defines pyroptosis. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Key Molecule:** **Gasdermin D** is the "pore-forming" protein essential for pyroptosis. * **Mechanism:** Unlike apoptosis (which is "silent"), pyroptosis is **pro-inflammatory** due to the release of IL-1 and IL-18 [1]. * **Infectious Link:** It is often triggered by intracellular pathogens (e.g., *Salmonella*, *Shigella*) to eliminate the niche of the pathogen while alerting the immune system. * **Distinction:** While apoptosis uses Caspase-3, 8, and 9, pyroptosis is defined by **Caspase-1** [1]. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of the Immune System, p. 196.

Question 1

Which of the following is FALSE regarding a granuloma?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration shows straw-colored fluid.

Answer

Size is lesser than a periapical cyst.

Answer

Volume of injection of radiopaque dye intake is less.

Answer

Electrophoresis shows a faint to moderate pattern in the albumin zone.

Question 2

Fats are stained by which of the following methods?

Accepted Answer

Oil red O

Answer

Hematoxylin and eosin

Answer

Periodic Acid Schiff

Answer

GMS Silver Stain

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of physiological atrophy?

Accepted Answer

Decrease in uterus size after delivery

Answer

Disuse atrophy

Answer

Atrophy of a muscle after nerve damage

Answer

Senile atrophy

Question 4

Pyroptosis is associated with which of the following cytokines?

Accepted Answer

IL-1

Answer

IL-2

Answer

IL-5

Answer

IL-6

Question 5

The light brown perinuclear pigment seen on H&E staining of the cardiac muscle fibers in the grossly normal appearing heart of an 83-year-old man at autopsy is due to deposition of:

Accepted Answer

Lipochrome

Answer

Hemosiderin

Answer

Cholesterol metabolite

Answer

Anthracotic pigment

Question 6

Coagulative necrosis is characteristic of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Hypoxic cell death

Answer

Focal bacterial infections

Answer

Loss of tissue architecture

Answer

None of the above

Question 7

All the following are examples of atrophy EXCEPT?

Accepted Answer

Endometrium following long-term administration of estrogen

Answer

Skeletal muscle, following transection of its motor neuron

Answer

Skeletal muscles, following long-term immobilization of the broken extremity in a cast

Answer

Ovary following hypophysectomy

Question 8

Which of the following is the brownish-colored substance seen in heart failure cells?

Accepted Answer

Hemosiderin

Answer

Lipofuscin

Answer

Myoglobin

Answer

Bilirubin

Question 9

Intracellular accumulation of which of the following forms Russell bodies?

Accepted Answer

Immunoglobulins

Answer

Cholesterol

Answer

Phospholipids

Answer

Lipoproteins

Question 10

Which of the following describes the role of CD-95 in apoptosis initiation through death receptors?

Accepted Answer

It induces apoptosis when engaged by Fas ligand.

Answer

Cytochrome C binds to Apoptosis Activating Factor-1 (Apaf-1).

Answer

Apoptosis may be initiated by caspase activation.

Answer

Apoptosis is mediated through DNA damage.

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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