Molecular Pathology Practice Questions

Q: Inflammasome is formed in which type of cell death?

Pyroptosis. **Explanation:** **Pyroptosis** is a specialized form of programmed cell death characterized by the activation of the **Inflammasome** [2]. The process begins when cytosolic receptors (like NLRP3) recognize PAMPs or DAMPs, leading to the formation of the inflammasome complex [1]. This complex activates **Caspase-1**, which performs two critical functions: it cleaves pro-IL-1̠ into its active inflammatory form and cleaves **Gasdermin D** [2]. The N-terminal fragments of Gasdermin D form pores in the plasma membrane, causing osmotic swelling, membrane rupture, and the release of inflammatory cytokines. **Analysis of Options:** * **Necrosis (A):** This is accidental, uncontrolled cell death resulting from severe injury. While it triggers inflammation due to membrane rupture, it does not involve the programmed assembly of an inflammasome. * **Apoptosis (B):** This is "silent" programmed cell death. It involves Caspases (3, 6, 7, 8, 9) but specifically avoids triggering an inflammasome or inflammation to prevent damage to surrounding tissues. * **Necroptosis (C):** A form of programmed necrosis that is **Caspase-independent** [2]. It relies on the RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL pathway. While it mimics necrosis morphologically, it does not utilize the inflammasome machinery. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Key Enzyme:** Caspase-1 (Canonical) or Caspase-4/5/11 (Non-canonical) [2]. * **Key Protein:** Gasdermin D (the "pore-former"). * **Distinction:** Unlike apoptosis, pyroptosis is highly **pro-inflammatory**. * **Clinical Link:** Inflammasome overactivation is linked to gout (monosodium urate crystals) and Type 2 Diabetes [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. [2] 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.

Question 1

A one-year-old boy presented with hepatosplenomegaly and delayed milestones. Liver biopsy and bone marrow biopsy revealed histiocytes with PAS-positive material. Electron microscopic examination of these histiocytes is most likely to reveal what?

Accepted Answer

Birbeck granules in the cytoplasm

Answer

Myelin figures in the cytoplasm

Answer

Parallel arrays of tubular structures in lysosomes

Answer

Electron dense deposits in the mitochondria

Question 2

DITRA syndrome is associated with a mutation in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

IL-36

Answer

IL-46

Answer

IL-10

Answer

IL-26

Question 3

Which of the following is/are anti-apoptotic genes?

Accepted Answer

Bcl-2

Answer

Bak

Answer

Bax

Answer

All of the above

Question 4

What is the karyotype for Turner syndrome?

Accepted Answer

45, X0

Answer

Trisomy 21

Answer

46, X0

Answer

47, XXX

Question 5

All of the following are mediators of inflammation except?

Accepted Answer

Myeloperoxidase

Answer

Tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a)

Answer

Interleukin-1

Answer

Prostaglandins

Question 6

Which genetic abnormality is associated with myotonic dystrophy?

Accepted Answer

CTG trinucleotide repeats

Answer

Dystrophin 1

Answer

Dystrophin 2

Answer

CAG repeats

Question 7

Which among the following is the hallmark of acute inflammation?

Accepted Answer

Vasodilation and increase in permeability

Answer

Vasoconstriction

Answer

Stasis

Answer

Leukocyte margination

Question 8

What does linkage disequilibrium refer to?

Accepted Answer

Genes that are co-inherited with the disease-causing gene

Answer

Genes that are never co-inherited

Answer

Genes that are inherited but not with a disease-causing gene

Answer

Genetic mutations

Question 9

What is true about fragile-X syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Triple nucleotide repeat sequence

Answer

Chromosome breaking

Answer

Mitochondrial mutation

Answer

Centrachrome absent

Question 10

Inflammasome is formed in which type of cell death?

Accepted Answer

Pyroptosis

Answer

Necrosis

Answer

Apoptosis

Answer

Necroptosis

Molecular Pathology — MCQs

Molecular Pathology — MCQs

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