Differentiate between the 5 cellular adaptations [atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, dysplasia [non-adaptive], metaplasia] and indicate common clinical examples for each.

Question 1

Clinical Question: In an 82-year-old male with atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease exhibiting brain atrophy, which of the following structural changes would be expected to be observed on brain imaging?

A) Enlargement of gyri and narrowing of sulci
B) Widening of gyri and narrowing of sulci
C) Loss of gyri and widening of sulci
D) No change in gyri and sulci structure

Answer 1

C) Loss of gyri and widening of sulci

In cases of brain atrophy, there is a reduction in brain tissue volume, which leads to the loss of gyri (convolutions) on the brain’s surface and the widening of sulci (grooves or furrows) between them. This results in a smoother appearance of the brain’s surface with more prominent sulci.

Question 2

In a patient with severe narrowing of the aortic valve (aortic stenosis), which histological change is expected to be seen in the cardiac muscle tissue?

A) Decreased thickness of the left ventricular wall
B) Increased collagen deposition in cardiac muscle
C) Hypertrophy of cardiac muscle cells
D) Loss of cardiac muscle cells

Answer 2

C) Hypertrophy of cardiac muscle cells

In response to the increased workload caused by aortic stenosis, the heart undergoes hypertrophy, leading to the enlargement of cardiac muscle cells as they work harder to pump blood against the narrowed valve.

Question 3

Which of the following is a mechanical sensor that appears to be the main stimulator for physiological myocardial hypertrophy?

A) Growth factors
B) Transcription factors
C) Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)
D) Insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1)

Answer 3

C) Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)

In physiological myocardial hypertrophy, mechanical sensors, such as ANF, play a key role in initiating the hypertrophic response in response to increased workload on the heart

Question 4

What histological changes are seen in the bladder when there is hyperplasia of the prostate causing urinary obstruction?

A) Increased collagen deposition
B) Hypertrophy of urothelial cells
C) Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells
D) Development of bladder stones (calculi)

Answer 4

C) Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells

In cases of hyperplasia of the prostate leading to urinary obstruction, the increased intravesical pressure can cause hypertrophy and hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells in the bladder wall, resulting in a trabeculated appearance.

Question 5

Question 1: What is the primary characteristic of an adapted cell?

A. Normal size
B. Enhanced metabolic activity
C. Reversible changes in various aspects
D. Increased resistance to injury

Answer 5

C. Reversible changes in various aspects

Question 6

Question 2: What is the process of cells decreasing in size known as?

A. Hypertrophy
B. Metaplasia
C. Hyperplasia
D. Atrophy

Answer 6

D. Atrophy

Question 7

Question 3: Which of the following is a common cause of pathological atrophy?

A. Increased workload
B. Pressure
C. Chronic use
D. Hormonal stimulation

Answer 7

C. Chronic use

Question 8

Question 4: What is the primary pathway of protein catabolism responsible for atrophic muscle changes?

A. Ribosome biogenesis
B. Autophagy
C. Ubiquitin–proteasome pathway
D. Lysosomal degradation

Answer 8

C. Ubiquitin–proteasome pathway

Question 9

Question 5: Which type of adaptive response involves an increase in the size of cells in response to mechanical stimuli?

A. Atrophy
B. Hyperplasia
C. Hypertrophy
D. Metaplasia

Answer 9

C. Hypertrophy

Question 10

Question 6: What is compensatory hyperplasia?

A. An adaptive response to mechanical stimuli
B. Abnormal proliferation of normal cells
C. Reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another
D. An increase in the number of cells in response to injury

Answer 10

D. An increase in the number of cells in response to injury

Question 11

Question 7: Which term refers to abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells?

A. Hyperplasia
B. Metaplasia
C. Dysplasia
D. Atrophy

Answer 11

C. Dysplasia

Question 12

Question 8: What is the term for the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another?

A. Hyperplasia
B. Atrophy
C. Dysplasia
D. Metaplasia

Answer 12

D. Metaplasia

Question 13

Question 9: Under what condition can dysplasia often be reversible?

A. In the absence of any stimulus
B. If the inducing stimulus is removed
C. With prolonged exposure to the stimulus
D. In the presence of chronic use

Answer 13

B. If the inducing stimulus is removed

Question 14

Question 10: What is the primary stimulus for bronchial metaplasia?

A. Increased workload
B. Cigarette smoking
C. Hormonal imbalance
D. Chronic pressure

Answer 14

B. Cigarette smoking