General Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Wear and tear pigment in the body refers to which of the following?

Lipochrome. **Explanation:** **Lipochrome** (also known as **Lipofuscin**) is the correct answer. It is famously referred to as the "wear-and-tear" or "aging" pigment [1]. It is an insoluble, brownish-yellow granular intracellular pigment that accumulates in cells as they age or undergo atrophy. * **Mechanism:** It is a product of **lipid peroxidation** of polyunsaturated lipids of subcellular membranes. It represents "indigestible" material stored within lysosomes (residual bodies) following autophagy. It is most commonly seen in permanent cells that do not divide, such as **cardiac myocytes** [1] and **neurons**, as well as the liver. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **Melanin:** This is an endogenous, brown-black pigment produced by melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis [1]. Its primary function is protection against UV radiation, not a marker of cellular aging. * **Anthracotic pigment:** This is an **exogenous** pigment (carbon/coal dust). It is inhaled from the atmosphere and phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages, commonly seen in the lungs and hilar lymph nodes. * **Haemosiderin:** This is a golden-yellow to brown hemoglobin-derived pigment that represents large aggregates of ferritin. It serves as a form of iron storage and accumulates in areas of hemorrhage or systemic iron overload (hemosiderosis). **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** 1. **Brown Atrophy:** When heavy deposits of lipofuscin are accompanied by organ shrinkage (atrophy), the condition is termed "Brown Atrophy" (classically seen in the heart). 2. **Staining:** Lipofuscin is **PAS positive** and can be visualized with Sudan Black B. 3. **Significance:** It is not toxic to the cell itself but serves as a hallmark of free radical injury and lipid peroxidation. **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. 75.

Q: Appearance of spleen with deposits of Amyloid within the white pulp of spleen is known as?

Sago spleen. In amyloidosis, the spleen is one of the most commonly affected organs. The pattern of deposition depends on the specific anatomical site involved: **1. Why "Sago Spleen" is correct:** When amyloid deposits are limited primarily to the **splenic follicles (white pulp)**, they appear as macroscopic, pale, translucent grains against the red background of the normal splenic pulp. This resembles grains of **Sago** (a starch derived from palm stems). Microscopically, the amyloid replaces the lymphoid follicles. **2. Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Lardaceous Spleen:** This occurs when amyloid deposition involves the **red pulp** (splenic sinuses and cords) rather than the white pulp. The deposits coalesce into large, map-like areas, giving the organ a firm, waxy appearance resembling "lard" (pig fat). * **Nutmeg Spleen:** This refers to the speckled appearance of the liver (not spleen) seen in **Chronic Passive Congestion (CPC)**, usually due to right-sided heart failure. * **Zahn Spleen (Infarcts of Zahn):** These are pseudo-infarcts of the **liver** caused by thrombosis of the portal vein branches; they are not related to amyloid or the spleen. **High-Yield Facts for NEET-PG:** * **Staining:** Amyloid shows **Apple-green birefringence** under polarized light when stained with **Congo Red** [1]. * **Most common organ involved in Systemic Amyloidosis:** Kidney (most common cause of death). * **Most common organ involved in Secondary Amyloidosis:** Spleen. * **Mnemonic:** **S**ago = **S**plenic follicles (**W**hite pulp); **L**ardaceous = **S**plenic sinusoids (**R**ed pulp). [1] **References:** [1] Kumar V, Abbas AK, et al.. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 9th ed. Diseases of the Immune System, pp. 268-269.

Question 1

What is true about MHC?

Accepted Answer

Class III has complement

Answer

Present on chromosome

Answer

Class II comprises A, B, C loci

Answer

Class I is involved in mixed leucocyte reaction

Question 2

Wear and tear pigment in the body refers to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Lipochrome

Answer

Melanin

Answer

Anthracotic pigment

Answer

Haemosiderin

Question 3

Caseation necrosis is suggestive of which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Sarcoidosis

Answer

Leprosy

Answer

Midline lethal granuloma

Question 4

Fibrinoid necrosis can be seen in:

Accepted Answer

Peptic ulcer.

Answer

Abscess cavity.

Answer

Pancreas.

Answer

Heart.

Question 5

Thickening of ventricular walls is due to what cellular process?

Accepted Answer

Hypertrophy

Answer

Metaplasia

Answer

Anaplasia

Answer

Hyperplasia

Question 6

What is the most common trisomy among the following?

Accepted Answer

Trisomy 21

Answer

Trisomy 18

Answer

Trisomy 13

Answer

Trisomy 5

Question 7

Which one of the following statements is FALSE regarding autosomal dominant disorders?

Accepted Answer

The recurrence risk is 25% for parents with a previously affected child.

Answer

Mutated genes can express themselves in the heterozygous state.

Answer

Males and females are equally affected.

Answer

These disorders typically involve defects of structural proteins or receptors.

Question 8

Caseous necrosis is not found in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Cytomegalovirus infection

Answer

Tuberculosis

Answer

Histoplasmosis

Answer

Syphilis

Question 9

Appearance of spleen with deposits of Amyloid within the white pulp of spleen is known as?

Accepted Answer

Sago spleen

Answer

Lardaceous spleen

Answer

Nutmeg spleen

Answer

Zahn spleen

Question 10

Premutation is seen in which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Trinucleotide repeat mutation

Answer

Genomic imprinting

Answer

Mitochondrial mutation

Answer

Gonadal mosaicism

General Pathology — MCQs

General Pathology — MCQs

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