General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: The protein found in the amyloid deposits in senile systemic amyloidosis is?

Transthyretin. **Senile Systemic Amyloidosis (SSA)**, also known as Wild-Type Transthyretin Amyloidosis (ATTRwt), is a condition primarily affecting elderly individuals (typically >70 years). The correct answer is **Transthyretin (TTR)**. 1. **Why Transthyretin is correct:** TTR is a serum protein synthesized in the liver that transports thyroxine and retinol [1]. In SSA, structurally normal (wild-type) TTR molecules become unstable with age, misfold, and deposit as amyloid fibrils. These deposits have a predilection for the **heart (ventricles)**, leading to restrictive cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias [1]. 2. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **AL protein (Amyloid Light Chain):** Derived from immunoglobulin light chains; associated with **Primary Amyloidosis** and plasma cell dyscrasias (e.g., Multiple Myeloma). * **β2-microglobulin (Aβ2M):** A component of MHC Class I molecules; it deposits in patients on **long-term hemodialysis**, typically affecting joints and the carpal ligament [1]. * **β-amyloid protein (Aβ):** Derived from Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP); found in the cerebral plaques of **Alzheimer’s disease**. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Hereditary Systemic Amyloidosis:** Also involves Transthyretin, but it is due to a **mutated** form (most common mutation is Val30Met) [1]. * **Staining:** All amyloid types show **Apple-green birefringence** under polarized light after **Congo Red** staining. * **Diagnosis:** While SSA is systemic, it is often clinically silent except for the heart. It was formerly called "Senile Cardiac Amyloidosis." * **AA Protein:** Associated with **Secondary Amyloidosis** (chronic inflammation like RA, TB, or Osteomyelitis). **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of the Immune System, p. 266.

Question 1

Histiocytes are:

Accepted Answer

Scavenger cells

Answer

Allergic cells

Answer

Released in immunologic response

Answer

Leukocytes

Question 2

Which of the following is true regarding pleomorphic adenoma?

Accepted Answer

More common in females

Answer

More common in males

Answer

Of endothelial origin

Answer

Most common site is the parotid gland

Question 3

The protein found in the amyloid deposits in senile systemic amyloidosis is?

Accepted Answer

Transthyretin

Answer

AL protein

Answer

â2 microglobulin

Answer

â-amyloid protein

Question 4

Giant cells are a characteristic histopathologic finding in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism

Answer

Aphthous ulcers

Answer

Keratocyst

Answer

Dentigerous cyst

Question 5

Epithelial granuloma is caused by which of the following immune cells?

Accepted Answer

Helper T cells

Answer

Neutrophil

Answer

Cytotoxic T cells

Answer

NK cells

Question 6

Watson and Crick are associated with what discovery?

Accepted Answer

Discovery of the helical structure of DNA

Answer

Association of Helicobacter pylori with chronic gastritis

Answer

Discovery of the HIV virus

Answer

None of the above

Question 7

All of the following trigger the intrinsic pathway of programmed cell death, except?

Accepted Answer

Activation of Fas receptor by FasL

Answer

Withdrawal of growth factor stimulus

Answer

Radiation injury

Answer

Intracellular protein misfolding

Question 8

What type of inheritance pattern is observed in MELAS syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial

Answer

Autosomal dominant

Answer

Autosomal recessive

Answer

X-linked

Question 9

Endothelium activation refers to which of the following processes?

Accepted Answer

Increased expression of adhesion molecules for leukocyte recruitment

Answer

Aberration of the anatomy of the vessel wall

Answer

Irreversible changes in the functional state of the vessel wall

Answer

Smooth muscle proliferation

Question 10

Which of the following conditions shows the maximum deposits of lipofuscin?

Accepted Answer

Severe malnutrition

Answer

Gaucher's disease

Answer

Tay-Sachs disease

Answer

Acute enteric fever

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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