General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Which cytokine activates the given cell?

Interleukin-5 (IL-5). ***Interleukin-5 (IL-5)*** - **IL-5** is the primary cytokine responsible for **eosinophil activation**, differentiation, and survival from bone marrow precursors. - It specifically promotes **eosinophil recruitment** to tissues and enhances their **degranulation** and cytotoxic functions. *Interleukin-1 (IL-1)* - **IL-1** is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that primarily activates **macrophages** and **endothelial cells**. - It plays a key role in **fever induction** and **acute phase response**, not eosinophil activation. *Interleukin-2 (IL-2)* - **IL-2** is the primary growth factor for **T lymphocytes**, promoting their proliferation and activation. - It has minimal direct effect on **eosinophil function** and is mainly involved in **adaptive immunity**. *Interleukin-6 (IL-6)* - **IL-6** is a pleiotropic cytokine that primarily stimulates **B cell differentiation** and **hepatic acute phase protein synthesis**. - While it has some inflammatory effects, it does not specifically **activate eosinophils** like IL-5 does.

Q: Intermediate filaments (IFs) help link adjacent sarcomeres together in skeletal muscle. Which of the following proteins is an intermediate filament protein used diagnostically in pathologic cases to indicate muscle origin?

Desmin. **Explanation:** Intermediate filaments (IFs) are essential components of the cytoskeleton that provide mechanical strength to cells. In muscle tissue (skeletal, cardiac, and smooth), the primary intermediate filament protein is **Desmin**. 1. **Why Desmin is Correct:** Desmin forms a lattice that surrounds the Z-discs of sarcomeres, linking them to each other and to the plasma membrane (sarcolemma). In diagnostic pathology, Desmin is a highly specific **Immunohistochemical (IHC) marker**. Its presence is used to identify tumors of muscle origin, such as **Rhabdomyosarcoma** (skeletal muscle) or **Leiomyosarcoma** (smooth muscle). 2. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Actin (A):** While actin is a major contractile protein in muscle, it is classified as a **microfilament** (6-7 nm), not an intermediate filament (10 nm). * **Actinin (C):** Alpha-actinin is an anchoring protein found in the Z-discs that binds actin filaments; it is not an intermediate filament. * **Clathrin (D):** This is a protein involved in the formation of coated vesicles for **receptor-mediated endocytosis**, unrelated to the muscle cytoskeleton. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Vimentin:** The IF marker for mesenchymal cells (connective tissue, sarcomas). * **Cytokeratin:** The IF marker for epithelial cells (carcinomas). * **GFAP:** The IF marker for glial cells (astrocytomas). * **Neurofilaments:** The IF marker for neurons (neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma). * **Mallory-Denk Bodies:** These are inclusions found in alcoholic liver disease composed of pre-keratin intermediate filaments.

Question 1

Lipofuscin is associated with which type of atrophy?

Accepted Answer

Brown atrophy

Answer

White atrophy

Answer

Red atrophy

Answer

Black atrophy

Question 2

Which cytokine activates the given cell?

Accepted Answer

Interleukin-5 (IL-5)

Answer

Interleukin-1 (IL-1)

Answer

Interleukin-2 (IL-2)

Answer

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)

Question 3

A Warthin's tumour is:

Accepted Answer

An adenolymphoma of parotid gland

Answer

A pleomorphic adenoma of parotid gland

Answer

A carcinoma of the parotid gland

Answer

A carcinoma of submandibular salivary gland

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a chromosomal breakage syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Answer

Fragile X syndrome

Answer

Bloom syndrome

Answer

Ataxia telangiectasia

Question 5

All of the following lesions may be classified as odontogenic tumours EXCEPT?

Accepted Answer

Branchial cleft cyst

Answer

Acanthomatous ameloblastoma

Answer

Myxoma

Answer

Simple ameloblastoma

Question 6

Which finding on electron microscopy indicates irreversible cell injury?

Accepted Answer

Flocculent densities in the mitochondria

Answer

Dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum

Answer

Dissociation of ribosomes from rough endoplasmic reticulum

Answer

Myelin figures

Question 7

A 32-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus delivers a healthy boy at 38 weeks of gestation. As a result of maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy, what morphologic response would be expected in the pancreatic islets of the neonate?

Accepted Answer

Hyperplasia

Answer

Atrophy

Answer

Dysplasia

Answer

Metaplasia

Question 8

Elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels are seen in all of the following conditions except?

Accepted Answer

None of the above

Answer

Hepatoblastoma

Answer

Seminoma

Answer

Teratoma

Question 9

Annexin V is a marker of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Apoptosis

Answer

Necrosis

Answer

Atherosclerosis

Answer

Inflammation

Question 10

Intermediate filaments (IFs) help link adjacent sarcomeres together in skeletal muscle. Which of the following proteins is an intermediate filament protein used diagnostically in pathologic cases to indicate muscle origin?

Accepted Answer

Desmin

Answer

Actin

Answer

Actinin

Answer

Clathrin

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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