BIOD 331 Pathophysiology Module 9 Exam: Oncology and Genetic
Disorders 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which term describes the process of new, uncontrolled growth of cells that is
not under physiologic control?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Neoplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B
Rationale: Neoplasia refers to new, abnormal growth of tissue which exceeds and is
uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue.
2. A benign tumor of glandular epithelium is specifically called a(n):
A. Sarcoma
B. Lymphoma
C. Carcinoma
D. Adenoma
Answer: D
Rationale: Benign tumors of epithelial origin are named with the suffix -oma; specifically,
glandular epithelial tumors are adenomas.
,3. Which of the following is a characteristic of a malignant tumor?
A. Slow growth rate
B. Well-differentiated cells
C. Presence of a fibrous capsule
D. Ability to invade surrounding tissues
Answer: D
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by rapid growth, lack of differentiation
(anaplasia), and the ability to invade and metastasize.
4. What is the term for the loss of cellular differentiation and organization?
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metastasis
Answer: B
Rationale: Anaplasia is a hallmark of malignancy and refers to the loss of structural and
functional differentiation of normal cells.
5. Which gene type promotes normal cell growth but can lead to cancer when
overexpressed or mutated?
A. Tumor suppressor genes
B. Proto-oncogenes
C. DNA repair genes
D. Apoptotic genes
Answer: B
Rationale: Proto-oncogenes are normal genes that regulate cell growth. When mutated
into oncogenes, they cause excessive cell proliferation.
, 6. The p53 gene is best described as a:
A. Oncogene
B. Tumor suppressor gene
C. Proto-oncogene
D. Growth factor
Answer: B
Rationale: The p53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene that monitors DNA integrity and
triggers repair or apoptosis.
7. What is the primary mechanism by which cancer cells achieve immortality?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Reduced oxygen consumption
C. Activation of telomerase
D. Loss of mitochondria
Answer: C
Rationale: Most cancer cells activate telomerase to maintain the length of telomeres,
allowing for infinite cell divisions.
8. In the TNM staging system, what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. Number of tumors
B. Neoplastic grade
C. Involvement of regional lymph nodes
D. Necrosis level
Answer: C
Rationale: In TNM, T stands for the size of the primary tumor, N for regional lymph node
involvement, and M for metastasis.
Disorders 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which term describes the process of new, uncontrolled growth of cells that is
not under physiologic control?
A. Hypertrophy
B. Neoplasia
C. Atrophy
D. Metaplasia
Answer: B
Rationale: Neoplasia refers to new, abnormal growth of tissue which exceeds and is
uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue.
2. A benign tumor of glandular epithelium is specifically called a(n):
A. Sarcoma
B. Lymphoma
C. Carcinoma
D. Adenoma
Answer: D
Rationale: Benign tumors of epithelial origin are named with the suffix -oma; specifically,
glandular epithelial tumors are adenomas.
,3. Which of the following is a characteristic of a malignant tumor?
A. Slow growth rate
B. Well-differentiated cells
C. Presence of a fibrous capsule
D. Ability to invade surrounding tissues
Answer: D
Rationale: Malignant tumors are characterized by rapid growth, lack of differentiation
(anaplasia), and the ability to invade and metastasize.
4. What is the term for the loss of cellular differentiation and organization?
A. Dysplasia
B. Anaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Metastasis
Answer: B
Rationale: Anaplasia is a hallmark of malignancy and refers to the loss of structural and
functional differentiation of normal cells.
5. Which gene type promotes normal cell growth but can lead to cancer when
overexpressed or mutated?
A. Tumor suppressor genes
B. Proto-oncogenes
C. DNA repair genes
D. Apoptotic genes
Answer: B
Rationale: Proto-oncogenes are normal genes that regulate cell growth. When mutated
into oncogenes, they cause excessive cell proliferation.
, 6. The p53 gene is best described as a:
A. Oncogene
B. Tumor suppressor gene
C. Proto-oncogene
D. Growth factor
Answer: B
Rationale: The p53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene that monitors DNA integrity and
triggers repair or apoptosis.
7. What is the primary mechanism by which cancer cells achieve immortality?
A. Increased ATP production
B. Reduced oxygen consumption
C. Activation of telomerase
D. Loss of mitochondria
Answer: C
Rationale: Most cancer cells activate telomerase to maintain the length of telomeres,
allowing for infinite cell divisions.
8. In the TNM staging system, what does the ‘N’ represent?
A. Number of tumors
B. Neoplastic grade
C. Involvement of regional lymph nodes
D. Necrosis level
Answer: C
Rationale: In TNM, T stands for the size of the primary tumor, N for regional lymph node
involvement, and M for metastasis.
