General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following stains is used to study fungal morphology in tissue sections?

PAS. **Explanation:** **Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)** is the correct answer because it is one of the most widely used stains for demonstrating fungi in tissue sections. The underlying mechanism involves the oxidation of polysaccharides (specifically **chitin and glucan**) present in the fungal cell wall by periodic acid to form aldehydes. These aldehydes then react with the Schiff reagent to produce a brilliant **magenta/pink** color, making the fungal morphology clearly visible against the tissue background. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Von-Kossa Stain:** This is used specifically to detect **calcium deposits** (carbonates and phosphates) in tissues. It stains calcium black. * **Alizarin Red:** This is another specialized stain for **calcium**, often used to identify calcium oxalate crystals or bone mineralization. * **Masson’s Trichrome:** This is a connective tissue stain used to differentiate between **collagen fibers** (blue/green) and muscle/cytoplasm (red). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Gomori Methenamine Silver (GMS):** This is considered the **best/gold standard** stain for fungi in histology. Fungi appear black against a green background. * **Mucicarmine:** Specifically used to identify ***Cryptococcus neoformans*** by staining its polysaccharide capsule bright red. * **India Ink:** Used for rapid identification of *Cryptococcus* in CSF (negative staining). * **Calcofluor White:** A fluorescent stain that binds to chitin; it is the most sensitive method for direct microscopic examination.

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.

Question 1

All of the following are true about white infarcts except?

Accepted Answer

Edema is present

Answer

Occurs in organs with end arterial supply

Answer

Well defined margins

Answer

Coagulative necrosis

Question 2

Psammoma bodies may be seen in all of the following conditions, except:

Accepted Answer

Follicular carcinoma of the thyroid

Answer

Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid

Answer

Meningioma

Answer

Serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary

Question 3

Which of the following stains is used to study fungal morphology in tissue sections?

Accepted Answer

PAS

Answer

Von-Kossa

Answer

Alizarin Red

Answer

Masson's Trichrome

Question 4

The skin pigmentation in bronze diabetes is due to?

Accepted Answer

Both melanin and hemosiderin

Answer

Bronze diabetes

Answer

Lipofuscin

Answer

Melanin

Question 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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

Accepted Answer

Testis

Answer

Heart

Answer

Pituitary

Answer

Skin

Question 10

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.

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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