PATH 120 TEST QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS ALL CORRECT
What is the primary characteristic of blood cancers in terms of cell development? -
Answer- They arise in the bone marrow when hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) rapidly
proliferate but fail to fully differentiate into specialized mature blood cells.
What are 'blasts' in the context of blood cancer? - Answer- Blasts are immature blood
cell progenitors that have failed to fully differentiate and specialize.
What is the key difference in cell differentiation between acute and chronic leukemia? -
Answer- Acute leukemia involves the proliferation of poorly differentiated cells, while
chronic leukemia involves the proliferation of well-differentiated cells.
How does the progression rate differ between acute and chronic leukemia? - Answer-
Acute leukemia usually progresses rapidly and requires immediate treatment, whereas
chronic leukemia progresses slowly and may be monitored before treatment starts.
What is the significance of the PML-RARA translocation in AML? - Answer- It is a
genetic mutation that causes blasts to remain undifferentiated; it can be specifically
treated with ATRA, which forces these cells to mature.
Define diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers. - Answer- Diagnostic
biomarkers confirm the presence of a disease; prognostic biomarkers indicate the
likelihood of progression or recurrence; predictive biomarkers predict the response to a
specific treatment.
What is the difference between anabolic and catabolic pathways? - Answer- Anabolic
pathways create new macromolecules, while catabolic pathways break down
macromolecules to release energy.
What is the function of Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) versus High-Density
Lipoproteins (HDL)? - Answer- LDL transports cholesterol to tissues (often called 'bad'
cholesterol), while HDL transports extra cholesterol back to the liver for disposal (often
called 'good' cholesterol).
What are the five criteria used to diagnose Metabolic Syndrome (MetS)? - Answer-
Visceral obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDL-
cholesterol (diagnosis requires at least 3 of 5).
, How does Type 1 diabetes differ from Type 2 diabetes? - Answer- Type 1 is an
autoimmune disorder where no insulin is produced; Type 2 occurs when the body has
insulin but not enough to sustain the breakdown of glucose.
How does Metformin work to treat Type 2 diabetes? - Answer- It lowers blood sugar by
reducing glucose production in the liver and decreasing glucose absorption from the
intestines.
What is atherosclerosis and what are its primary health risks? - Answer- It is the
thickening of arteries due to plaque buildup, which can block blood flow and lead to
strokes and heart attacks.
What is the purpose of an angioplasty procedure? - Answer- It is a non-surgical
procedure where a balloon-tipped catheter is used to push plaque against the artery
wall, opening narrowed or blocked arteries.
What is the function of a stent in cardiovascular surgery? - Answer- A stent is a wire-
mesh tube placed in an artery after angioplasty to maintain the structure of the vessel
and keep it open.
What is the role of hematopoiesis? - Answer- It is the biological process of developing
mature blood cells from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
What is the genetic requirement for the formation of cancer in the classical pathway? -
Answer- It requires mutations in both proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes.
What is Lynch Syndrome? - Answer- A familial condition that increases an individual's
risk of developing several cancer types, most commonly colorectal cancer.
What is the difference between myeloid and lymphoid leukemia origins? - Answer-
Myeloid leukemia arises from malignant myeloid progenitors, while lymphoid leukemia
arises from a lymphoid cell origin.
What is the basal metabolic rate? - Answer- The minimum number of calories required
to keep the body functioning at rest.
What is visceral fat and why is it clinically significant? - Answer- It is fat stored in the
abdominal cavity; it is more common in men and significantly increases the risk of
metabolic disease.
What is a bypass surgery in the context of atherosclerosis? - Answer- A surgical
intervention where veins from elsewhere in the body are grafted to bypass an affected,
blocked artery.
ANSWERS ALL CORRECT
What is the primary characteristic of blood cancers in terms of cell development? -
Answer- They arise in the bone marrow when hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) rapidly
proliferate but fail to fully differentiate into specialized mature blood cells.
What are 'blasts' in the context of blood cancer? - Answer- Blasts are immature blood
cell progenitors that have failed to fully differentiate and specialize.
What is the key difference in cell differentiation between acute and chronic leukemia? -
Answer- Acute leukemia involves the proliferation of poorly differentiated cells, while
chronic leukemia involves the proliferation of well-differentiated cells.
How does the progression rate differ between acute and chronic leukemia? - Answer-
Acute leukemia usually progresses rapidly and requires immediate treatment, whereas
chronic leukemia progresses slowly and may be monitored before treatment starts.
What is the significance of the PML-RARA translocation in AML? - Answer- It is a
genetic mutation that causes blasts to remain undifferentiated; it can be specifically
treated with ATRA, which forces these cells to mature.
Define diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers. - Answer- Diagnostic
biomarkers confirm the presence of a disease; prognostic biomarkers indicate the
likelihood of progression or recurrence; predictive biomarkers predict the response to a
specific treatment.
What is the difference between anabolic and catabolic pathways? - Answer- Anabolic
pathways create new macromolecules, while catabolic pathways break down
macromolecules to release energy.
What is the function of Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) versus High-Density
Lipoproteins (HDL)? - Answer- LDL transports cholesterol to tissues (often called 'bad'
cholesterol), while HDL transports extra cholesterol back to the liver for disposal (often
called 'good' cholesterol).
What are the five criteria used to diagnose Metabolic Syndrome (MetS)? - Answer-
Visceral obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and low HDL-
cholesterol (diagnosis requires at least 3 of 5).
, How does Type 1 diabetes differ from Type 2 diabetes? - Answer- Type 1 is an
autoimmune disorder where no insulin is produced; Type 2 occurs when the body has
insulin but not enough to sustain the breakdown of glucose.
How does Metformin work to treat Type 2 diabetes? - Answer- It lowers blood sugar by
reducing glucose production in the liver and decreasing glucose absorption from the
intestines.
What is atherosclerosis and what are its primary health risks? - Answer- It is the
thickening of arteries due to plaque buildup, which can block blood flow and lead to
strokes and heart attacks.
What is the purpose of an angioplasty procedure? - Answer- It is a non-surgical
procedure where a balloon-tipped catheter is used to push plaque against the artery
wall, opening narrowed or blocked arteries.
What is the function of a stent in cardiovascular surgery? - Answer- A stent is a wire-
mesh tube placed in an artery after angioplasty to maintain the structure of the vessel
and keep it open.
What is the role of hematopoiesis? - Answer- It is the biological process of developing
mature blood cells from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
What is the genetic requirement for the formation of cancer in the classical pathway? -
Answer- It requires mutations in both proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes.
What is Lynch Syndrome? - Answer- A familial condition that increases an individual's
risk of developing several cancer types, most commonly colorectal cancer.
What is the difference between myeloid and lymphoid leukemia origins? - Answer-
Myeloid leukemia arises from malignant myeloid progenitors, while lymphoid leukemia
arises from a lymphoid cell origin.
What is the basal metabolic rate? - Answer- The minimum number of calories required
to keep the body functioning at rest.
What is visceral fat and why is it clinically significant? - Answer- It is fat stored in the
abdominal cavity; it is more common in men and significantly increases the risk of
metabolic disease.
What is a bypass surgery in the context of atherosclerosis? - Answer- A surgical
intervention where veins from elsewhere in the body are grafted to bypass an affected,
blocked artery.
