General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Fontana-Masson stain primarily stains which type of granules in the cytoplasm?

Melanin. **Explanation:** The **Fontana-Masson stain** is a silver-based histochemical method used to identify substances with **argentaffin properties**. Argentaffin cells or granules have the inherent ability to reduce silver nitrate to metallic silver without the need for an external reducing agent, resulting in a black/dark brown deposit. **1. Why Melanin is Correct:** Melanin is a pigment produced by melanocytes [1]. It possesses strong reducing properties (argentaffin), allowing it to reduce the silver salts in the Fontana-Masson stain. This makes it the primary stain used to identify melanin in skin biopsies or to confirm the diagnosis of amelanotic melanomas. It also stains argentaffin granules in carcinoid tumors (neuroendocrine cells). **2. Why Incorrect Options are Wrong:** * **Copper (B):** Best visualized using **Rhodanine stain** or **Orcein stain** (commonly used in Wilson’s disease). * **Ferritin/Iron (C):** Identified using the **Perls’ Prussian Blue** reaction, which stains ferric iron bright blue. * **Hemoglobin (D):** Usually identified via its natural golden-brown color on H&E or specific immunohistochemistry; it does not have argentaffin properties. **NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls:** * **Argentaffin vs. Argyrophil:** Argentaffin cells (e.g., Melanin) reduce silver *spontaneously*. Argyrophil cells (e.g., certain neuroendocrine tumors) require an *external reducer* (like hydroquinone) to turn silver black. * **Other Melanin Stains:** **Schmorl’s reaction** (turns melanin blue-green) and **Masson-Fontana** (turns it black) [2]. * **DOPA reaction:** A biochemical test used to identify the enzyme tyrosinase in melanocytes. **References:** [1] Cross SS. Underwood's Pathology: A Clinical Approach. 6th ed. Common Clinical Problems From Blood And Bone Marrow Disease, pp. 633-634. [2] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. The Skin, p. 1146.

Q: Which of the following processes involves caspase-1 and caspase-11 activation?

Pyroptosis. **Explanation:** **Pyroptosis** is a specialized form of programmed cell death characterized by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell swelling [1]. It is triggered by the activation of **inflammasomes** [2]. * **Mechanism:** Cytosolic sensors (like NLRP3) detect microbial products or danger signals, leading to the activation of **Caspase-1** (canonical pathway) [1][2]. In the non-canonical pathway, **Caspase-11** (in mice) or **Caspase-4/5** (in humans) directly sense bacterial LPS [1]. * **Execution:** These caspases cleave **Gasdermin D**, which forms pores in the plasma membrane, causing osmotic lysis and the release of IL-1β and IL-18. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **Necrosis:** This is an accidental, unregulated cell death resulting from severe injury (e.g., ischemia). It does not involve specific caspase activation. * **Necroptosis:** While it is "programmed" necrosis, it is **caspase-independent** [1]. It relies on the RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL signaling complex [1]. * **Apoptosis:** This is "silent" programmed cell death. It involves **Caspase-3, 6, and 7** (executioners) and **Caspase-8 and 9** (initiators), but specifically excludes the inflammatory caspases (1 and 11). **High-Yield Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Caspase-1** is also known as Interleukin-1 Converting Enzyme (ICE). * **Gasdermin D** is the definitive "pore-forming" protein in pyroptosis. * Unlike apoptosis, pyroptosis is **pro-inflammatory** and results in membrane rupture [1]. * **Ferroptosis** (another high-yield topic) is iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and is also caspase-independent. **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Cellular Responses to Stress and Toxic Insults: Adaptation, Injury, and Death, p. 71. [2] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of the Immune System, p. 196.

Question 1

Pyknosis is characterized by

Accepted Answer

Nuclear shrinkage

Answer

Nuclear basophilia

Answer

Nucleus disintegration

Answer

Nucleolus disintegration

Question 2

Which of the following conditions are associated with mitochondrial abnormalities?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondrial myopathy

Answer

Oncocytoma

Answer

Kearns-Sayre syndrome

Answer

Faber disease

Question 3

All of the following statements are true except:

Accepted Answer

Denver group F contains an X chromosome.

Answer

Denver group C contains an X chromosome.

Answer

Denver group G contains an acrocentric chromosome.

Answer

A Barr body is an inactive X chromosome.

Question 4

Acid phosphatase is specific to which of the following cells?

Accepted Answer

Monocyte

Answer

T lymphocyte

Answer

B lymphocyte

Answer

Myelocytes

Question 5

Fontana-Masson stain primarily stains which type of granules in the cytoplasm?

Accepted Answer

Melanin

Answer

Copper

Answer

Ferritin

Answer

Hemoglobin

Question 6

What is the first step in the initiation of primary hemostasis for clot formation?

Accepted Answer

Vasoconstriction

Answer

Fibrin deposition

Answer

Platelet adhesion

Answer

Thrombosis

Question 7

Which of the following apolipoproteins is synthesized in the liver as part of the coat of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs)?

Accepted Answer

ApoB-100

Answer

ApoA-I

Answer

ApoB-48

Answer

ApoC-II

Question 8

The characteristic feature of apoptosis on light microscopy is?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear compaction

Answer

Cellular swelling

Answer

Intact cell membrane

Answer

Cytoplasmic eosinophilia

Question 9

What is the greatest barrier to infection?

Accepted Answer

Fascia

Answer

Connective tissue

Answer

Epithelium

Answer

Muscle

Question 10

Which of the following processes involves caspase-1 and caspase-11 activation?

Accepted Answer

Pyroptosis

Answer

Necrosis

Answer

Necroptosis

Answer

Apoptosis

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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