Comprehensive Examination Flashcards
(100 cards)
Which of the following statements concerning ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis is true?
(A) RNA synthesis does not require deoxyribonucleic acid to act as a template.
(B) Syntheses of ribosomal RNA, messenger RNA, and transfer RNA are all catalyzed by the same RNA polymerase.
(C) To yield messenger ribonucleoproteins, introns are excised, whereas exons are spliced together.
(D) Protein moieties are removed from messenger ribonucleoproteins within the nucleolus, yielding functional messenger RNAs to exit via the nuclear pores.
(E) The start codon for RNA synthesis is UAG.
C. To yield messenger ribonucleoproteins (mRNPs), introns are excised, whereas exons are spliced together. Deoxyribonucleic acid does act as the template for the synthesis of ribonucleic acid (RNA). Three RNA polymerases (I, II, and III) are needed to synthesize ribosomal RNA, messenger RNA, and transfer RNA, respectively. Protein moieties are removed from the mRNPs as they leave the nucleus to yield functional mRNAs outside the nucleus. (See Chapter 2 VIII A.)
Which of the following factors is primarily responsible for causing osteoporosis in older women? (A) Decreased bone formation (B) Lack of physical exercise (C) Diminished estrogen secretion (D) Calcium deficiency (E) Increased bone formation
C. The most common cause of osteoporosis in older women is diminished estrogen secretion. (See Chapter 7 II J Clinical Consideration.)
Which of the following bases that makeup deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid (RNA) is unique to RNA? (A) Thymine (B) Adenine (C) Cytosine (D) Guanine (E) Uracil
E. Although adenine, cytosine, and guanine are found in both deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), uracil is found only in RNA. Uracil substitutes for the base thymine in DNA. (See Chapter 2 VIII.)
The centroacinar cells of the pancreas secrete (A) an alkaline enzyme-poor fluid (B) pancreatic digestive enzymes. (C) secretin. (D) cholecystokinin. (E) glucagon.
A. Pancreatic centroacinar cells form the initial segment ofthe intercalated duct and are part of the exocrine pancreas. They secrete an enzyme-poor alkaline fluid when stimulated by secretin. Pancreatic digestive enzymes are synthesized by the acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas; their release is stimulated by cholecystokinin. Glucagon is produced in the endocrine pancreas (islets of Langerhans). (See Chapter 17 III A 2.)
The zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex synthesizes and secretes (A) mineralocorticoids. (B) glucagon. (C) epinephrine. (D) aldosterone. (E) glucocorticoids.
E. The zona fasciculata, the largest region of the adrenal cortex, produces glucocorticoids (cortisol and corticosterone). The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, primarily aldosterone. Epinephrine is produced in the adrenal medulla. Glucagon is produced in the pancreas, not in the adrenal gland. (See Chapter 13 VI A 2.)
Which of the following statements about
bony joints is true?
(A) Long bones are generally united by synarthroses.
(B) Diarthroses are classified as synovial joints.
(C) Type A cells of the synovial membrane secrete synovial fluid.
(D) Type B cells of the synovial membrane are phagocytic.
(E) Synarthroses are usually surrounded by a two-layered capsule.
B. Diarthroses, the type of joint connecting two long bones, are classified as synovial joints, which are surrounded by a two-layered capsule housing a synovial membrane. Type A cells of the synovial membrane are phagocytic, whereas type B cells secrete the synovial fluid. Synarthrosis joints are those found joining the bones of the skull, which are immovable. (See Chapter 7 III B.)
All of the following characteristics can be used to distinguish neutrophils and basophils histologically except one. Which one is the exception?
(A) Size of specific granules
(B) Shape of the nucleus
(C) Number of azurophilic granules
(D) The presence or absence of peroxidase (E) The presence of mitochondria
E. Neutrophils have a nucleus with three or four lobes, many azurophilic granules, and small specific granules that lack peroxidase. In contrast, basophils have an S-shaped nucleus, few azurophilic granules, and large specific granules that contain peroxidase. Both neutrophils and basophils possess mitochondria. (See Table 10.2.)
Along-time user of chewing tobacco noticed several whitish, thick, painless patches on the lining of his cheeks. The most probable diagnosis is (A) aphthous ulcers (B) adenocarcinoma (C) keloids (D) oral leukoplakia (E) epidermolysis bullosa
D. Oral leukoplakia, which results from epithelial hyperkeratosis, is usually of unknown etiology, but is often associated with the use of chewing tobacco. Although the characteristic painless lesions are benign, they may transform into squamous cell carcinoma. Aphthous ulcers are painful lesions of the oral mucosa that are surrounded by a red border. Adenocarcinoma is a form of cancer arising in glandular tissue. Keloids are swellings in the skin that arise from increased collagen formation in hyperplastic scar tissue. Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of hereditary skin diseases characterized by blister formation after minor trauma. (See Chapter 16 II.)
Primordial follicles of the ovary possess
(A) a layer of cuboidal follicular cells.
(B) an oocyte arrested in prophase of
meiosis I.
(C) an oocyte arrested in metaphase of
meiosis II.
(D) well-defined thecae interna and externa.
(E) a thick zona pellucida.
B. A primordial follicle is composed of a flattened layer of follicular cells surrounding a primary oocyte, which is arrested in prophase of meiosis I. Well-defined thecal layers and a thick zona pellucida are found in growing follicles. A graafian (mature) follicle possesses a secondary oocyte, which becomes arrested in metaphase of meiosis II just before ovulation. (See Chapter 19 II B 1.)
All of the following statements regarding the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear are true except for one. Which is that exception?
(A) It contains the saccule and utricle.
(B) Maculae contain neuroepithelial cells,
which possess numerous stereocilia
and a single kinocilium.
(C) Cristae ampullares in the semicircular canals detect angular acceleration of the head.
(D) The otolithic membrane contains small calcified particles.
(E) It contains the vestibular membrane.
E. The first four statements are true. Linear acceleration of the head is detected by the neuroepithelial hair cells of the maculae, which are specialized regions of the saccule and utricle. However, the vestibular membrane is a part of the organ of Corti. (See Chapter 21 IV C 2.)
Which of the following statements concern
ing euchromatin is true?
(A) It constitutes about 90% of the chromatin.
(B) It appears as basophilic clumps of nu- cleoprotein when seen under the light
microscope.
(C) It is concentrated near the periphery of the nucleus.
(D) It is transcriptionally active.
(E) It is transcriptionally inactive.
D. Euchromatin, the transcriptionally active form of chromatin, represents only about 10% of the chromatin. In the light microscope, it appears as a light-staining, dispersed region of the nucleus. (See Chapter 2 V 2.)
Intercalated disks function in which one of the following?
(A) End-to-end attachments of smooth muscle cells
(B) Intercellular movement oflarge proteins
(C) Ionic coupling of cardiac muscle cells
(D) Storage of Ca2+
(E) Release of neurotransmitters
C. Large protein molecules cannot move across intercalated disks (the steplike junctional complexes present in cardiac, not smooth, muscle). These junctional structures possess three specializations: desmosomes, which provide end-to-end attachment of cardiac muscle cells; fascia adherentes, to which the thin myofilaments attach; and gap junctions, which permit intercellular movement of small molecules and ions (ionic coupling). (See Chapter 8 V B 6.)
Release of thyroid hormones from the follicular cells of the thyroid gland depends on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH stimulation involves
(A) binding of TSH to receptors on the apical plasma membrane.
(B) formation of apical microvilli.
(C) exocytosis of colloid droplets.
(D) change in cell shape from flattened to
columnar.
(E) secretion of lysosomes from the basal cell surface.
D. Flattened squamous cells are characteristic of an unstimulated, inactive thyroid gland. TSH binds to G protein-linked receptors on the basal surface of follicular cells. Under TSH stimulation, thyroid follicular cells become columnar and form pseudopods, which engulf colloid. Lysosomal enzymes split thyroxine and triiodothyronine from thyroglobulin; the hormones are then released basally. (See Chapter l3 IV B 2.)
Which one of the following statements about the development of the tooth crown is true?
(A) The enamel organ is derived from ectomesenchyme (neural crest).
(B) The dental papilla is derived from the epithelium.
(C) The four-layer enamel organ appears during the cap stage.
(D) Dentin and enamel are formed during the appositional stage.
(E) Cementum is formed at the same time as enamel.
D. The enamel organ is epithelially derived, whereas the dental papilla comes from ectomesenchyme. The bell, not the cap, stage of odontogenesis is characterized by possessing a fourth layer in its enamel organ. Formation of dentin and enamel occurs during the appositional stage of tooth development. Cementum is located on the root and is formed only after the crown is complete and enamel ceases to be elaborated. (See Chapter 16 II C 3.)
Which one of the following statements concerning liver sinusoids is true?
(A) Their lining includes Ito cells (fat-storing cells).
(B) They receive bile from the hepatocytes.
(C) They are lined by nonfenestrated
endothelial cells.
(D) The space of Disse is located between
sinusoidal cells and hepatocytes.
(E) Sinusoids convey blood from the central
vein to the portal vein.
D. Liver sinusoids convey blood to the central vein. Their endothelial cells are fenestrated, and material from the sinusoids may enter the space of Disse through the fenestrae, where it may be endocytosed by hepatocytes. The space of Disse houses Ito cells (fat-storing cells). Because bile is the exocrine secretion of hepatocytes, it does not enter the sinusoids.
(See Chapter 17 IV B 2.)
A young college student had nausea, vomiting, visual disorders, and muscular paralysis after eating canned tuna fish. The probable diagnosis is botulism, caused by ingestion of the Clostridium botulinum toxin. The physiological effect of this toxin is to
(A) inactivate acetylcholinesterase.
(B) bind to and thus inactivate acetylcholine
receptors at myoneural junctions.
(C) prevent release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, thus inhibiting muscle contraction.
(D) inhibit release of acetylcholine from presynaptic membranes.
(E) inhibit hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate during the contraction cycle.
D. The toxin from Clostridium botulinum inhibits the release of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter at myoneural junctions. As a result, motor nerve impulses cannot be transmitted across the junction, and muscle cells are not stimulated to contract (See Chapter 8 IV 2 Clinical Considerations.)
Which of the following statements about nucleosomes is true?
(A) Histones form the nucleosome
core around which the double helix deoxyribonucleic acid is wound.
(B) Nucleosomes without histones form the structural unit of the chromosome.
(C) Nucleosomes are composed of ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules and two copies each of four different histones.
(D) Histone Hl forms the core of the nucleosome.
(E) Nucleosomes are linked together with RNA.
A. The nucleosome, the structural unit of chromatin packing, does not contain ribonucleic acid. In extended chromatin, two copies each of histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 form the nucleosome core around which a deoxyribonucleic acid molecule is wound. Condensed chromatin contains additional histones (H1), which bind to nucleosomes, forming the condensed 30-nm chromatin fiber. (See Chapter 2 VI A.)
A high school student complains of fatigue and a sore throat. She has swollen, tender lymph nodes and a fever. Blood test results show an increased white blood cell count with many atypical lymphocytes; the number and appearance of the erythrocytes are normal. This student is likely to have (A) AIDS. (B) pernicious anemia. (C) infectious mononucleosis. (D) Hodgkin disease. (E) factor VIII deficiency.
C. Only infectious mononucleosis is characterized by all of the signs and symptoms indicated. AIDS is associated with a decreased lymphocyte count, particularly of T helper cells. Pernicious anemia is associated with a decreased red blood cell count. Hodgkin disease is associated
with fatigue and enlarged lymph nodes, but the nodes are not painful, and the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells is diagnostic of this disease. FactorVIII deficiency, a coagulation disorder, is not associated with any of these signs and symptoms. (See Chapter 10 II B 2 Clinical
Considerations.)
Which one of the following statements about the gallbladder is true?
(A) The gallbladder dilutes bile.
(B) Bile enters the gallbladder via the common
bile duct.
(C) Bile leaves the gallbladder via the cystic duct.
(D) The gallbladder is lined by a simple squamous epithelium.
(E) Secretin stimulates the wall of the gallbladder to contract, forcing bile from its lumen.
C. The gallbladder, which concentrates and stores bile, is lined by a simple columnar epithelium. Cholecystokinin stimulates contraction of the gallbladder wall, forcing bile from the lumen into the cystic duct; this joins the common hepatic duct to form the common bile duct, which delivers bile to the duodenum. (See Chapter 17 III A 2.)
Which one of the following statements concerning mitochondria is true?
(A) They change from the orthodox to the condensed form in response to the uncoupling of oxidation from phosphorylation.
(B) They are unable to divide.
(C) They possess the enzymes of the Krebs
cycle in their cristae.
(D) They contain elementary particles in their matrix.
(E) They do not contain deoxyribonucleic acid.
A. Uncoupling of oxidation from phosphorylation induces mitochondria to change from the orthodox to the condensed form. Condensed mitochondria are often present in brown fat cells, which produce heat rather than adenosine triphosphate. Mitochondria possess circular deoxyribonucleic acid, and they reproduce (divide) by fission. (See Chapter 3 II 6 e.)
Which one of the following components is present in muscular arteries but absent from elastic arteries?
(A) Fenestrated membranes
(B) Vasa vasorum
(C) Factor VIII
(D) A thick, complete internal elastic lamina
(E) Smooth muscle cells
D. Muscular (distributing) arteries have a thick, complete internal elastic lamina in the tunica intima, whereas elastic (conducting) arteries have an incomplete internal elastic lamina. Both types of arteries have vasa vasorum, factor VIII, and smooth muscle cells in their walls. Muscular arteries possess numerous layers of muscle cells in the tunica media, but elastic arteries do not. Only elastic arteries possess fenestrated (elastic) membranes in the tunica media, in which smooth muscle cells are dispersed. (See Chapter 1 1 I B 1 b.)
Which one of the following statements concerning the pancreas is true?
(A) Islets of Langerhans secrete enzymes.
(B) It possesses mucous acinar cells.
(C) The endocrine pancreas has more beta-cells
than delta-cells.
(D) Its alpha-cells secrete insulin.
(E) Its delta-cells secrete amylase.
C. In the endocrine pancreas, beta-cells account for about 70% ofthe secretory cells; alpha-cells about 20%; and delta-cells less than 5%. Polypeptide hormones are synthesized by and released from the islets of Langerhans (endocrine pancreas). The exocrine pancreas possesses serous (not mucous) acinar cells. Insulin is produced by beta-cells. (See Chapter 17 III B 3.)
Which one of the following stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach? (A) Somatostatin (B) Gastrin (C) Secretin (D) Cholecystokinin (E) Urogastrone
B. Somatostatin and urogastrone both inhibit the production of hydrochloric acid, whereas gastrin enhances it. Secretin and cholecystokinin act on the pancreas to facilitate secretion of buffer and pancreatic enzymes, respectively. (See Chapter 16 III B 2.)
A deficiency or an excess of which of the following vitamins results in short stature? (A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin C (C) Vitamin D (D) Vitamin K (E) Vitamin B
A. A deficiency of vitamin A inhibits bone formation and growth, whereas an excess stimulates ossification of the epiphyseal plates, thus leading to premature closure of the plates. Both conditions result in short stature. A deficiency of vitamin D reduces calcium absorption from the small intestine and results in soft bones, whereas an excess of vitamin D stimulates bone resorption. A deficiency of vitamin C results in poor bone growth and fracture repair. Vitamin K plays no role in bone formation. (See Chapter 7 II I.)