General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by which type of necrosis?

Coagulative necrosis. **Explanation:** **1. Why Coagulative Necrosis is Correct:** Coagulative necrosis is the characteristic pattern of cell death seen in **hypoxic/ischemic injury** in all solid organs except the brain. In Myocardial Infarction (MI), sudden ischemia leads to the denaturation of structural proteins and enzymes [1]. This denaturation blocks proteolysis (enzymatic digestion), which preserves the basic structural outline of the dead tissue for several days. Microscopically, this is visualized as "tombstone" or "ghost" cells—cells that have lost their nuclei but retain their cellular shape and architecture [1]. **2. Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Liquefactive Necrosis:** Characterized by complete digestion of dead cells, resulting in a liquid viscous mass. This is typical of **CNS/Brain infarcts** and focal bacterial/fungal infections (abscesses). * **Caseous Necrosis:** A "cheese-like" appearance seen classically in **Tuberculosis**. It is a combination of coagulative and liquefactive necrosis where tissue architecture is completely obliterated. * **Fat Necrosis:** Refers to focal areas of fat destruction, typically resulting from the release of activated pancreatic lipases (**Acute Pancreatitis**) or trauma to the breast. **3. NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Exception Rule:** Ischemia in the **Brain** leads to Liquefactive necrosis, not Coagulative. * **Microscopic Hallmark:** The earliest light microscopic change in MI (after 4–12 hours) is **wavy fibers**, followed by contraction band necrosis [1]. * **Mechanism:** The primary mechanism of coagulative necrosis is the **denaturation of proteins**. * **Gross Appearance:** In the heart, the necrotic area initially appears pale and firm before becoming soft and yellowish [1]. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Heart, p. 552.

Question 1

Fibrinoid necrosis is typically seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Sarcoidosis

Answer

Polyarteritis nodosa

Answer

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Answer

Human immunodeficiency virus infection

Question 2

BRCA 1 & 2 genes are located on which chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

17 & 13

Answer

13 & 17

Answer

17 & 22

Answer

13 & 22

Question 3

A mononuclear portal inflammatory infiltrate that disrupts the limiting plate and surrounds individual hepatocytes (piecemeal necrosis) is characteristic of which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Chronic active hepatitis

Answer

Ascending cholangitis

Answer

Acute alcoholic hepatitis

Answer

Cholestatic jaundice

Question 4

Myocardial infarction (MI) is characterized by which type of necrosis?

Accepted Answer

Coagulative necrosis

Answer

Liquefactive necrosis

Answer

Caseous necrosis

Answer

Fat necrosis

Question 5

Brown atrophy is due to the accumulation of which substance?

Accepted Answer

Lipofuscin

Answer

Melanin

Answer

Hemosiderin

Answer

Hematin

Question 6

Which of the following organ systems is least commonly involved in hemochromatosis?

Accepted Answer

Eye

Answer

Liver

Answer

Skin

Answer

Joints

Question 7

All of the following are features of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency except?

Accepted Answer

Autosomal dominant inheritance

Answer

Mutation in the SERPINA1 gene

Answer

Emphysema with cirrhosis can be seen

Answer

Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a serine protease inhibitor

Question 8

An epithelioid cell is a modified form of which cell?

Accepted Answer

Macrophage

Answer

Lymphocyte

Answer

Mast cell

Answer

Eosinophil

Question 9

Bone marrow stem cells differ from differentiated progenitor stem cells in what respect?

Accepted Answer

Reconstitution of bone marrow

Answer

Provide differentiated terminal cells

Answer

Formation of the ovum

Answer

Act as a repair system for the body

Question 10

Generation of free radicals occurs by all of the following mechanisms EXCEPT?

Accepted Answer

Reperfusion after ischemic injury

Answer

Normal metabolism

Answer

Oxygen toxicity

Answer

All of the above

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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