Histology Practice Questions

Question 1

A scientist is studying the anatomy and function of bone growth. He is able to create a cell line of osteocytes with a mutation that prevents the osteocytes from exchanging nutrients and waste products within neighboring lamellae. This mutation most likely affected which of the following cell structures?

Accepted Answer

Gap junctions

Answer

Dynein

Answer

Endoplasmic reticulum

Answer

Plasma membrane

Answer

Kinesin

Question 2

An investigator is studying the function of the endoplasmic reticulum in genetically modified lymphocytes. A gene is removed that facilitates the binding of ribosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Which of the following processes is most likely to be impaired as a result of this genetic modification?

Accepted Answer

Production of secretory proteins

Answer

Neutralization of toxins

Answer

Ubiquitination of proteins

Answer

α-Oxidation of fatty acids

Answer

Synthesis of ketone bodies

Question 3

A 65-year-old man with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents with hemoptysis and a persistent cough. Chest CT shows a 3.5 cm centrally located mass in the right main bronchus. Positron emission tomography confirms a malignant nodule. Bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy is performed and a specimen sample of the nodule is sent for frozen section analysis. The tissue sample is most likely to show which of the following tumor types?

Accepted Answer

Squamous cell carcinoma

Answer

Carcinoid tumor

Answer

Metastasis of colorectal cancer

Answer

Small cell lung carcinoma

Answer

Large cell carcinoma

Question 4

An investigator is examining tissue samples from various muscle tissue throughout the body. She notices that biopsies collected from a specific site have a high concentration of sarcoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and myoglobin; they also stain poorly for ATPase. Additionally, the cell surface membranes of the myocytes in the specimen lack voltage-gated calcium channels. These myocytes are found in the greatest concentration at which of the following sites?

Accepted Answer

Semispinalis muscle

Answer

Ventricular myocardium

Answer

Tunica media

Answer

Lateral rectus muscle

Answer

Glandular myoepithelium

Question 5

An 18-month-old boy of Ashkenazi-Jewish descent presents with loss of developmental milestones. On ocular exam, a cherry-red macular spot is observed. No hepatomegaly is observed on physical exam. Microscopic exam shows lysosomes with onion-skin appearance.

What is the most likely underlying biochemical abnormality?

Accepted Answer

Accumulation of GM2 ganglioside

Answer

Accumulation of ceramide trihexoside

Answer

Accumulation of glucocerebroside

Answer

Accumulation of galactocerebroside

Answer

Accumulation of sphingomyelin

Question 6

In large neurons the nucleus can be found a large distance away from the terminal end of its axon. The body has a complex system of intracellular transporters that are able to carry essential proteins from the nucleus to the distal edge of the cell and back. Which of the following proteins are essential for this function?

Accepted Answer

Dynein, Kinesin

Answer

Kinesin, Troponin

Answer

Myosin, Kinesin

Answer

Actin, Dynein

Answer

Glucose, Actin

Question 7

Steroid hormone synthesis, lipid synthesis, and chemical detoxification are activities of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Answer

Peroxisomes

Answer

Nucleolus

Answer

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Answer

Golgi bodies

Question 8

An investigator is studying human genetics and cell division. A molecule is used to inhibit the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes. Which of the following phases of the cell cycle does the molecule target?

Accepted Answer

Prophase I

Answer

Prophase II

Answer

Metaphase II

Answer

Telophase I

Answer

Anaphase I

Question 9

This type of epithelium is most commonly seen in which of the following organs?

Accepted Answer

Trachea

Answer

Ureter

Answer

Duodenum

Answer

Gall bladder

Answer

Esophagus

Question 10

An investigator is conducting a study to document the histological changes in the respiratory tree of a chronic smoker. He obtains multiple biopsy samples from the respiratory system of a previously healthy 28-year-old man. Histopathological examination of one sample shows simple cuboidal cells with a surrounding layer of smooth muscle. Chondrocytes and goblet cells are absent. This specimen was most likely obtained from which of the following parts of the respiratory system?

Accepted Answer

Terminal bronchiole

Answer

Alveolar sac

Answer

Main stem bronchus

Answer

Bronchiole

Answer

Respiratory bronchiole

Histology

Study Resources

Lessons

Questions

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Lessons

Cell structure and organelles

Microscopy techniques

Tissue preparation and staining

Basic tissue types overview

Cell and tissue identification keys

Histology of blood and hematopoiesis

Aging-related histological changes

Histopathological changes in common diseases

Immunohistochemistry

Electron microscopy in histology

Practice Questions

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About Histology for USMLE

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