PATHOPHYSIOLOGY-EXAM 1 STUDY QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALE
Chapter 1- Cellular Biology
1. It is true that a eukaryotic cell:
A Is smaller than a prokaryotic cell.
B Contains structures called organelles.
C Lacks a well-defined nucleus.
D Does not contain histones.
Eukaryotic cells contain organelles and histones, they have a well-defined nucleus, and are
larger than prokaryotic cells.
2. The function of a histone found in a eukaryote cell focuses on cellular:
A Division
B Movement
C Activities
D Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) folding
The histones are binding proteins that cause the supercoiling of DNA into chromosomes and do
not affect cellular division, movement, or activities.
3. An organelle that is responsible for the metabolism of cellular energy is referred to as
a/an:
A Golgi complex
B Mitochondrion
C Endoplasmic reticulum
D Nucleolus
Mitochondria play a role in cellular metabolism, cellular respiration, and energy production. The
Golgi complex is responsible for processing and packaging proteins from the endoplasmic
reticulum, where they are synthesized. The nucleolus is a small, dense structure that contains
the ribonucleic acid (RNA), DNA, and DNA-binding proteins.
4. Which statement best describes a desmosome?
A A desmosome is a barrier to diffusion.
B Desmosomes hold cells together by continuous bands.
1
, C A desmosome is a communicating tunnel.
D Desmosomes function as a zona occludens.
The desmosome is a type of cell junction. The other two types include tight junctions and gap
junctions. Desmosomes hold cells together by forming a continuous band of epithelial tissue or
belt (or button like) points of contact. They are also a source of structural stability. Tight
junctions serve as barriers to diffusion and prevent the movement of substances through
transport proteins. Gap junctions are clusters of communicating tunnels.
5. Which statement describes the function of a second messenger?
A Extracellular ligand that binds with membrane-bound receptors
B Intracellular enzyme that once will trigger a cascade of intracellular events
C Chemical messenger that opens specific channels in the cell membrane
D Chemical messenger that blocks a membrane-bound receptor signal
The binding of a ligand to a cell surface receptor triggers the activation of intracellular second
messengers. Second messengers activate signal transduction pathways in the cell that can
initiate different intracellular events. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and calcium
(Ca++) are the two major second-messenger pathways. First messengers are the extracellular
ligands that bind to cell surface receptors. Binding of first messengers can result in the opening
or closing of specific cell membrane channels or the activation of second messengers.
6. Which statement is correct regarding cellular energy?
A Glycolysis is the building of sugar molecules.
B Oxidative cellular metabolism is a single reaction making adenosine triphosphate
(ATP).
C Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the mitochondria.
D Anaerobic glycolysis occurs in the presence of oxygen.
Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the mitochondria. This is the mechanism by which the
energy produced from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins is transferred to ATP. Glycolysis is a
process that breaks down glucose molecules; it produces a net of two ATP molecules.
Oxidation is a process during which a pair of electrons are removed and transferred. Oxidative
cellular metabolism involves 10 biochemical reactions. Anaerobic glycolysis occurs in the
absence of oxygen. Aerobic means in the presence of oxygen.
Awarded 0.0 points out of 1.0 possible points.
7. Movement of a solute molecule from an area of high concentration to an area of low
concentration is called:
2
, A Diffusion
B Filtration
C Osmosis
D Hydrostatic pressure
Diffusion is the movement of a solute from an area of high concentration to an area of low
concentration. Osmosis is the movement of water down a concentration gradient from an area
of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration. Filtration is the movement
of water and solute through a membrane because of a greater pushing pressure on one side of
the membrane than the other. Hydrostatic pressure is the mechanical force of water pushing
against a cell membrane.
8. Which of the following is an example of an energy-releasing process?
A Anabolism
B Catabolism
C Substrate-induced reaction
D Second messenger system
Catabolism is an energy-releasing process. The energy-using process is anabolism. A substrate
is a specific substance that is converted to a product in the reaction. A second messenger is a
“pass-it-on signal.” This occurs when a first messenger activates a receptor that then triggers a
pass-it-on signal.
9. Which of the following describes the term chemotaxis?
A Uses the second messenger system
B Cellular signal affecting the cell of origin
C Movement of cells along a chemical gradient
D Ligands bind with receptors, triggering a second reaction
Chemotaxis is cellular movement along a chemical gradient caused by chemical attraction.
Autostimulation is when a cell releases a signal that actually affects the cell of origin. A pass-it-
on signal is a description for a second messenger system. A second messenger system is a
means by which a ligand binds with receptors of a membrane system and then triggers a
second system or reaction.
10. Which of the following describes an amphipathic molecule?
A Hydrophobic and not Hydrophilic
B Hydrophilic and not Hydrophobic
C Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic
D Nonpolar
3
, The amphipathic molecule is both hydrophobic and hydrophilic. A hydrophilic molecule is a
charged, water-loving molecule. A hydrophobic molecule is an uncharged or water-hating
molecule. A polar molecule is another name for an amphipathic molecule.
11. Which of the following are functions of a protein? (Select all that apply.)
A Pores or transport channels
B Enzymes that drive pumps
C Cell surface markers
D Synapses for cells
Proteins may act as transport channels, pores, cell surface markers, enzymes that drive pumps,
catalysts, and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), or they may act as the key components of ATP
synthesis. Synapses are the connections between two nerve cells.
12. A _____________________ solution has a higher concentration (less dilute) than
body solution.
Hypertonic
A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration than a body solution.
Chapter 2-Altered Cellular and Tissue Biology
13. Which of the following is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A Free radical–induced injury
B Chemical injury
C Hypoxia
D Mechanical factors
Hypoxia is the most common cause of cellular injury and can be initiated by decreased oxygen
in the environment, decreased hemoglobin, decreased red blood cells, or cardiovascular
collapse. A free radical–induced injury, chemical injury, and mechanical factors are other types
of cell injury but are not the most common.
14. Which chemical interferes with the excretion of urate while affecting the nervous and
hematopoietic systems?
A Carbon monoxide
B Carbon tetrachloride
C Lead
4
RATIONALE
Chapter 1- Cellular Biology
1. It is true that a eukaryotic cell:
A Is smaller than a prokaryotic cell.
B Contains structures called organelles.
C Lacks a well-defined nucleus.
D Does not contain histones.
Eukaryotic cells contain organelles and histones, they have a well-defined nucleus, and are
larger than prokaryotic cells.
2. The function of a histone found in a eukaryote cell focuses on cellular:
A Division
B Movement
C Activities
D Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) folding
The histones are binding proteins that cause the supercoiling of DNA into chromosomes and do
not affect cellular division, movement, or activities.
3. An organelle that is responsible for the metabolism of cellular energy is referred to as
a/an:
A Golgi complex
B Mitochondrion
C Endoplasmic reticulum
D Nucleolus
Mitochondria play a role in cellular metabolism, cellular respiration, and energy production. The
Golgi complex is responsible for processing and packaging proteins from the endoplasmic
reticulum, where they are synthesized. The nucleolus is a small, dense structure that contains
the ribonucleic acid (RNA), DNA, and DNA-binding proteins.
4. Which statement best describes a desmosome?
A A desmosome is a barrier to diffusion.
B Desmosomes hold cells together by continuous bands.
1
, C A desmosome is a communicating tunnel.
D Desmosomes function as a zona occludens.
The desmosome is a type of cell junction. The other two types include tight junctions and gap
junctions. Desmosomes hold cells together by forming a continuous band of epithelial tissue or
belt (or button like) points of contact. They are also a source of structural stability. Tight
junctions serve as barriers to diffusion and prevent the movement of substances through
transport proteins. Gap junctions are clusters of communicating tunnels.
5. Which statement describes the function of a second messenger?
A Extracellular ligand that binds with membrane-bound receptors
B Intracellular enzyme that once will trigger a cascade of intracellular events
C Chemical messenger that opens specific channels in the cell membrane
D Chemical messenger that blocks a membrane-bound receptor signal
The binding of a ligand to a cell surface receptor triggers the activation of intracellular second
messengers. Second messengers activate signal transduction pathways in the cell that can
initiate different intracellular events. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and calcium
(Ca++) are the two major second-messenger pathways. First messengers are the extracellular
ligands that bind to cell surface receptors. Binding of first messengers can result in the opening
or closing of specific cell membrane channels or the activation of second messengers.
6. Which statement is correct regarding cellular energy?
A Glycolysis is the building of sugar molecules.
B Oxidative cellular metabolism is a single reaction making adenosine triphosphate
(ATP).
C Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the mitochondria.
D Anaerobic glycolysis occurs in the presence of oxygen.
Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the mitochondria. This is the mechanism by which the
energy produced from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins is transferred to ATP. Glycolysis is a
process that breaks down glucose molecules; it produces a net of two ATP molecules.
Oxidation is a process during which a pair of electrons are removed and transferred. Oxidative
cellular metabolism involves 10 biochemical reactions. Anaerobic glycolysis occurs in the
absence of oxygen. Aerobic means in the presence of oxygen.
Awarded 0.0 points out of 1.0 possible points.
7. Movement of a solute molecule from an area of high concentration to an area of low
concentration is called:
2
, A Diffusion
B Filtration
C Osmosis
D Hydrostatic pressure
Diffusion is the movement of a solute from an area of high concentration to an area of low
concentration. Osmosis is the movement of water down a concentration gradient from an area
of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration. Filtration is the movement
of water and solute through a membrane because of a greater pushing pressure on one side of
the membrane than the other. Hydrostatic pressure is the mechanical force of water pushing
against a cell membrane.
8. Which of the following is an example of an energy-releasing process?
A Anabolism
B Catabolism
C Substrate-induced reaction
D Second messenger system
Catabolism is an energy-releasing process. The energy-using process is anabolism. A substrate
is a specific substance that is converted to a product in the reaction. A second messenger is a
“pass-it-on signal.” This occurs when a first messenger activates a receptor that then triggers a
pass-it-on signal.
9. Which of the following describes the term chemotaxis?
A Uses the second messenger system
B Cellular signal affecting the cell of origin
C Movement of cells along a chemical gradient
D Ligands bind with receptors, triggering a second reaction
Chemotaxis is cellular movement along a chemical gradient caused by chemical attraction.
Autostimulation is when a cell releases a signal that actually affects the cell of origin. A pass-it-
on signal is a description for a second messenger system. A second messenger system is a
means by which a ligand binds with receptors of a membrane system and then triggers a
second system or reaction.
10. Which of the following describes an amphipathic molecule?
A Hydrophobic and not Hydrophilic
B Hydrophilic and not Hydrophobic
C Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic
D Nonpolar
3
, The amphipathic molecule is both hydrophobic and hydrophilic. A hydrophilic molecule is a
charged, water-loving molecule. A hydrophobic molecule is an uncharged or water-hating
molecule. A polar molecule is another name for an amphipathic molecule.
11. Which of the following are functions of a protein? (Select all that apply.)
A Pores or transport channels
B Enzymes that drive pumps
C Cell surface markers
D Synapses for cells
Proteins may act as transport channels, pores, cell surface markers, enzymes that drive pumps,
catalysts, and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), or they may act as the key components of ATP
synthesis. Synapses are the connections between two nerve cells.
12. A _____________________ solution has a higher concentration (less dilute) than
body solution.
Hypertonic
A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration than a body solution.
Chapter 2-Altered Cellular and Tissue Biology
13. Which of the following is the most common cause of cellular injury?
A Free radical–induced injury
B Chemical injury
C Hypoxia
D Mechanical factors
Hypoxia is the most common cause of cellular injury and can be initiated by decreased oxygen
in the environment, decreased hemoglobin, decreased red blood cells, or cardiovascular
collapse. A free radical–induced injury, chemical injury, and mechanical factors are other types
of cell injury but are not the most common.
14. Which chemical interferes with the excretion of urate while affecting the nervous and
hematopoietic systems?
A Carbon monoxide
B Carbon tetrachloride
C Lead
4
