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

Caspases are involved in which of the following processes?

Accepted Answer

Apoptosis

Answer

Nerve processing

Answer

Cell signaling

Answer

Inflammation

Question 2

What is true about senile systemic amyloidosis?

Accepted Answer

Transthyretin is the deposited protein

Answer

Systemic involvement is present

Answer

It is caused by AA amyloid

Answer

Heart failure is the predominant presentation

Question 3

The infarct of which of the following organs is invariably hemorrhagic?

Accepted Answer

Lung

Answer

Kidney

Answer

Spleen

Answer

Heart

Question 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

Pyroptosis is associated with which of the following cytokines?

Accepted Answer

IL-1

Answer

IL-2

Answer

IL-5

Answer

IL-6

Question 8

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 9

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 10

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

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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