Pigments

Question 1

What are pigments

Answer 1

Pigments are colored substances which accumulate in the cell under special circumstances

Question 2

Pigments could either be normal or ______ and give examples of both

Answer 2

Normal as in melanin
Abnormal as in tattoo

Question 3

Pigments could _____________ or ____________

Answer 3

Endogenous: ie synthesized by the body
Exogenous: ie derived from external environment

Question 4

Examples of exogenous pigments

Answer 4

1) Carbon/ coal seen in anthracosis in lungs
2) tattoo pigments

Question 5

What is coal workers pneumoconiosis

Answer 5

Accumulation of coal/ carbon in the lungs

Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as “black lung disease,” occurs when coal dust is inhaled. Over time, continued exposure to the coal dust causes scarring in the lungs, impairing your ability to breathe.

Question 6

What is anthracosis

Answer 6

Anthracosis (anthrac- meaning coal, carbon + -osis meaning condition) is defined in Bioline as, “the asymptomatic, milder type of pneumoconiosis as caused by the accumulation of carbon in the lungs due to repeated exposure to air pollution or inhalation of smoke or coal dust particles”

Question 7

Role of macrophages in anthracosis and what is the outcome

Answer 7

The macrophages ingest the inhaled carbon particles and also elaborate cytokines which encourage the formation of fibrosis in the lungs
This may result in difficulty in breathing

Question 8

Role of macrophages in tattoo

Answer 8

Dermal macrophages absorb tattoo pigments

Question 9

List the most exogenous pigment

Answer 9

Carbon( coal dust)
It is ubiquitous and inhaled daily as an air pollutant

Question 10

When carbon is inhaled daily as an air pollutant it is ingested by the _________ in the __________ which transports them via ___________ channels to the regional _____________

Answer 10

Macrophages
Alveoli
Lymphatic channels
Lymph nodes

Question 11

Where is air pollution the most prevalent

Answer 11

India and china

Question 12

What color does coal pigment form and where

Answer 12

Pigments form dark colored patches seen on pleural surface of the lungs and lymph nodes in tracheobronchial tree

Question 13

List the endogenous pigments

Answer 13

1) lipofuscin (wear and tear pigment)
2) hemosiderin
3) homogentisic acid : deposited in the connective tissues, skin in patients with alkaptunuria. The pigmentation is known as ochronosis
4) melanin
5) bilirubin

Question 14

The pigmentation in alkaptunuria is known as what ________

Answer 14

Ochronosis

Question 15

Where can lipofuscin pigments be found

Answer 15

Found in ageing or debilitating diseases and are the end product of oxygen radical mediated membrane damage

Question 16

Lipofuscin is found where

Answer 16

Lysosomes and as collections of indigestible materials not injurious to the cell

Question 17

Color of lipofuscin

Answer 17

Yellow- brown finely granular cytoplasmic (perinuclear) pigment

Question 18

What color is melanin and where is it found

Answer 18

Brown- black pigment
Found in skin, hair etc

Question 19

Melanin is synthesized where

Answer 19

In the melanocytes and dentritic cells by the action of tyrosine de on tyrosine to form dihydroxyphenylalanine