Review questions

Which of the following are types of empirical staining methods? Select all that apply .

• A.

  van Gieson

• B.

  Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)

• C.

  Periodic acid–Schiff (PAS)

• D.

  Alkaline phosphatase enzyme histochemistry

• E.

  Immunoperoxidase

Which of the following are characteristics of resin-embedded histology? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Allows a higher resolution than other preparations for use in routine light microscopy

• B.

  Cannot be used for hard tissues such as bone

• C.

  Used for assessment of tissue as part of transmission electron microscopy

• D.

  Is applied to fresh-frozen material

• E.

  Toluidine blue staining is commonly used

Which of the following statements about histology and tissues are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Histological examination is seldom used outside of the area of biological research

• B.

  Epithelial tissues are the basis of some solid organs

• C.

  Connective tissues are characterized by a high cellularity and a low volume fraction of extracellular material

• D.

  A compound tissue is composed of one dominant cell type

• E.

  The skin can be considered an organ

Read the following statements about tissues and histological stains and choose which are correct. Select all that apply .

• A.

  Cells with a similar function but widely distributed in several anatomical sites can be described as a system

• B.

  To examine tissues by routine histology, the material is first embedded in wax

• C.

  H&E staining of a tissue section causes cell cytoplasm to appear orange, whereas nuclei are stained a deep pink colour

• D.

  The PAS staining method can be used to detect glycogen in histological sections

• E.

  Immunocytochemistry relies on the availability of antibodies used as reagents that can specifically bind to a protein or related structure within a tissue section

For each of the statements, select the most appropriate option from A to K. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

• A.

  Tissue

• B.

  Histology

• C.

  Epithelium

• D.

  Organ

• E.

  System

• F.

  Cell

• G.

  Light microscopy using wax-embedded sections

• H.

  Fixation

• I.

  Electron microscopy

• J.

  Embedding

• K.

  Histochemistry

• 1.

  The study of the microscopic structure of biological material and the ways in which individual components are structurally and functionally related

• 2.

  A discrete, organized collection of cells with similar morphological characteristics

• 3.

  Cells which cover surfaces, line body cavities or form solid glands

• 4.

  The main technique used in the microscopic study of cells and tissues

• 5.

  The immersion of tissue in a solution of formaldehyde

Which of the following are correct statements in relation to the cell nucleus? Select all that apply.

• A.

  Contains cellular DNA

• B.

  Braced by lamins

• C.

  Site of creation of ribosomal RNA

• D.

  Acidophilic in tinctorial stain preparations

• E.

  Continuous membrane establishes isolation from cytosolic space

Which of the following are correct statements in relation to cell cycle and cell division? Select all that apply.

• A.

  G0 cells are non-dividing

• B.

  S-phase cells are synthesizing proteins for cell division, having completed DNA synthesis

• C.

  G2 cells have a double complement of cellular DNA

• D.

  The nuclear membrane breaks down in prometaphase

• E.

  The nuclear membrane reforms in telophase

Which of the following are features of membranes found in cells? Select all that apply.

• A.

  Structurally based on a lipid bilayer

• B.

  Contain proteins that only act as enzymes

• C.

  Surround the nucleus in a single layer

• D.

  Surround individual ribosomes within the cell

• E.

  Maintained by vesicles derived from the Golgi

Which of the following are features of mitochondria? Select all that apply.

• A.

  Replicate independently from cell division

• B.

  Are the main site for oxidative phosphorylation

• C.

  Have a highly impermeable outer cell membrane

• D.

  Vary in morphology between different cell types

• E.

  Contain their own genetic material

Which of the following features are present in lysosomes? Select all that apply.

• A.

  Lysosomes have a membrane H ⁺ -ATPase capable of maintaining an acidic environment

• B.

  The enzymes contained in lysosomes are also present in peroxisomes

• C.

  Vesicles from the Golgi take acid hydrolases to lysosomes

• D.

  Fusion of an endosome with a vesicle containing acid hydrolases forms an endolysosome

• E.

  Lysosomal storage diseases are caused by lack of specific lysosomal enzymes leading to accumulation of a metabolic product

Which of the following are seen in dividing cells? Select all that apply.

• A.

  The nuclear membrane is fragmented during separation of chromosomes

• B.

  The nucleolus is involved in ribosomal biogenesis and is a prominent structure in dividing cells

• C.

  Prophase and metaphase both occur in the S phase of the cell cycle

• D.

  The final daughter cells that derive from meiosis are haploid

• E.

  Control of the overall cell population may be regulated by apoptosis

The following functions can be delivered by cell membrane proteins. Select all that apply.

• A.

  Attach cytoskeletal filaments to cell membrane

• B.

  Transport molecules in or out of cells

• C.

  Limit the movement of adjacent phospholipids to make the cell membrane more stable

• D.

  Act as receptors for chemical signalling

• E.

  Act as an enzyme to catalyse a biochemical reaction

Which of these statements about caveolae are correct? Select all that apply.

• A.

  They are external protrusions of the cell surface membrane

• B.

  Associated with a bracing protein termed clathrin

• C.

  Can transport substances into the cell in a process termed potocytosis

• D.

  Have a cell membrane bearing surface proteins that function as signal receptors

• E.

  Can translocate substances from the extracellular space on one side of the cell to the extracellular space on the other side of the cell

Which of the following are present in the cytosol of cells? Select all that apply.

• A.

  The glycolytic pathway enzymes

• B.

  Cytoskeletal filaments

• C.

  Free lipids

• D.

  Basement membrane

• E.

  Glycocalyx

Which of the following statements about cell structure are correct? Select all that apply.

• A.

  In the bilayer cell membrane, the composition of the inner and outer lipid layers is the same

• B.

  Exocytosis leads to material from the extracellular space being internalized into the cell

• C.

  Exosomes and ectosomes act as transport vesicles that can move material between cells by migrating through the extracellular space

• D.

  The inner nuclear membrane is braced by proteins called lamins

• E.

  The nucleolus is darkly stained and is the site of condensation of chromatin in an inactive conformation

For each of the statements about transport in and out of cells, select the most appropriate option from A to I. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

• A.

  Endocytosis

• B.

  Exocytosis

• C.

  Pinocytosis

• D.

  Phagocytosis

• E.

  Caveolae

• F.

  Receptor-mediated endocytosis

• G.

  Clathrin

• H.

  Caveolin

• I.

  Actin

• 1.

  Braces coated pit membranes

• 2.

  Invagination of a coated pit brings substances from outside the cell to the inside of the cell

• 3.

  Internalization of fluid and small molecules into a cell

• 4.

  A bacteria attaches to receptors on the cell surface and is internalized into a vesicle

• 5.

  Fusion of a cell vesicle with the surface membrane to discharge contents into the extracellular space

For each of the statements about cell components, select the most appropriate option from A to K. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

• A.

  Ribosome

• B.

  Nucleolus

• C.

  Nucleus

• D.

  Mitochondrion

• E.

  Rough endoplasmic reticulum

• F.

  Golgi apparatus

• G.

  Lysosome

• H.

  Peroxisome

• I.

  Actin

• J.

  Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

• K.

  Cytosol

• 1.

  Main location of glycogen within the cell

• 2.

  Contains acid hydrolases

• 3.

  Main location of cellular DNA

• 4.

  Release of contents acts as a trigger for programmed cell death

• 5.

  Main site of synthesis of ribosomal RNA

For each of the statements about the cell membrane, select the most appropriate option from A to G. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

• A.

  Phospholipid

• B.

  Cholesterol

• C.

  Glycolipid

• D.

  Glycerol

• E.

  Membrane protein

• F.

  Microtubule

• G.

  Fatty acid

• 1.

  Attach cytoskeletal filaments to cell membrane

• 2.

  Limits movement of phospholipids and makes membrane less fluid and more mechanically stable

• 3.

  Found exclusively in the outer leaflet of the cell membrane

• 4.

  Act as receptors for cell signalling

• 5.

  Present in both faces of the cell membrane with a hydrophilic and hydrophobic polarity

For each of the statements about the cytoskeleton, select the most appropriate option from A to D. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

• A.

  Actin

• B.

  Microtubule

• C.

  Centriole

• D.

  Intermediate filament

• 1.

  Braces cell membrane

• 2.

  Mediates axonal transport in neurons

• 3.

  The basal body in motile cilia

• 4.

  Mediates cell motility

• 5.

  Example includes cytokeratin

• 6.

  Maintains extended tubular arrangement of the endoplasmic reticulum

• 7.

  Organizes aggresomal response

Which of the following are distinct features of epithelial cells? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Squamous epithelial cells are flat and plate-like

• B.

  A pseudostratified epithelium has all its cells in contact with the underlying extracellular matrix

• C.

  A simple columnar cell is typically two to three times higher than its width

• D.

  Cell division occurs at all layers in a stratified squamous epithelium

• E.

  Transitional epithelium is a characteristic cell type lining the urinary tract

Which of the following features are present in epithelial cell junctions of varying types? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Occluding junctions prevent lateral diffusion of membrane proteins

• B.

  Adherent junctions interact with the actin filaments in cells

• C.

  Desmosomal junctions interact with the actin filaments in cells

• D.

  Hemidesmosomes anchor cells to basement membrane

• E.

  Gap junctions have a role in intercellular communication

Which of the following features are seen in epithelial cells? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Microvilli have a centriole at their base

• B.

  Membrane plaques are a feature of transitional epithelium

• C.

  Cilia are based on a cytoskeleton of intermediate filaments

• D.

  The glycocalyx is seen within the rough endoplasmic reticulum

• E.

  Cytokeratin is a type of intermediate filament

Which of the following is true for the secretory role of epithelial cells? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Endocrine secretion occurs when a cell enters the bloodstream

• B.

  Mucin-secreting cells have a well-developed Golgi, this being the main site of protein glycosylation

• C.

  Ion-pumping cells have many lysosomes to export transported solutes

• D.

  Merocrine secretion occurs when a secreted product is exocytosed from the cell onto a surface or into a lumen

• E.

  Apocrine secretion occurs when the whole cell is shed as the secreted product

Which of the following statements about epithelial cells are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Occluding junctions prevent lateral migration of specialized cell membrane proteins, thus delineating and maintaining specialized cell membrane domains

• B.

  The shape of microvilli is maintained by a bundle of microtubules

• C.

  A striated epithelial cell is one that has developed characteristics of muscle

• D.

  The acinus of a gland is composed of collagen

• E.

  Some basement membrane components are produced by the epithelial cells

For each of the statements about epithelial cells, select the most appropriate option from A to K. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

• A.

  Simple squamous epithelium

• B.

  Simple cuboidal epithelium

• C.

  Simple columnar epithelium

• D.

  Stratified epithelium

• E.

  Straight tubular gland

• F.

  Holocrine secretory cells

• G.

  Ciliated epithelial cells

• H.

  Protein-secreting cells

• I.

  Mucin-secreting cells

• J.

  Steroid-secreting cells

• K.

  Ion-pumping cells

• 1.

  Cells with a complex folded surface membrane associated with numerous mitochondria, linked together by tight (occluding) junctions

• 2.

  Cells lining the air-conducting passages of the upper respiratory tract

• 3.

  The type of cell lining blood vessels, abdominal and pleural cavities

• 4.

  Cells with an extensive smooth endoplasmic reticulum, free cytoplasmic lipid and mitochondria with tubular cristae

• 5.

  Cells with large, open, nuclei and abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum

Which of the following statements about collagen are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Type I is the main collagen in skin

• B.

  Type IV is the main collagen type in bone

• C.

  Type III is the main collagen type in reticulin

• D.

  Is secreted by fibroblasts as procollagen molecules

• E.

  Is one of the matrix components of osteoid

Which of the following statements about glycosaminoglycans are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Are composed of repeating sugar residues

• B.

  Are weakly hydrophilic

• C.

  May be attached to proteins to form proteoglycans

• D.

  Include hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulphate, heparin and fibronectin

• E.

  Have a very dense folded structure that gives turgor to the tissue extracellular matrix

Which of the following statements about basement membranes are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Contains type I collagen

• B.

  Contains laminin

• C.

  Contains glycosaminoglycans

• D.

  Links to epithelial cells via integrin receptors

• E.

  Acts as a permeability barrier

Which of the following features are seen in the specific types of support tissue listed? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Fibrocollagenous tissue is the major support tissue in most organs

• B.

  Chondroblasts elaborate the specialized extracellular matrix of cartilage

• C.

  Hyaline cartilage forms the main component of the auricle of the ear

• D.

  Unilocular adipose tissue is important for thermogenesis in the neonatal period

• E.

  After severe tissue damage, fibrocollagenous tissue is formed in healing to produce a fibrous scar

For each of the statements about support cells and extracellular matrix, select the most appropriate option from A to K. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

• A.

  Fibroblasts

• B.

  Chondrocytes

• C.

  Osteoblasts

• D.

  Myofibroblasts

• E.

  Elastin

• F.

  Basement membranes

• G.

  Hyaline cartilage

• H.

  Fibrocartilage

• I.

  Elastic cartilage

• J.

  Multilocular adipose tissue

• K.

  Unilocular adipose tissue

• 1.

  Forms the initial skeleton in fetal development

• 2.

  Produces osteoid

• 3.

  Anchored to hemidesmosomes

• 4.

  Assists with wound shrinkage in tissue repair after injury

• 5.

  Found in the auricle of the ear

Which of the following statements about skeletal muscle are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Cells have thin filaments made of actin which are anchored to the Z band

• B.

  Cells have thick filaments made of desmin

• C.

  Contraction is regulated by control of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum

• D.

  Individual cells are surrounded by an external lamina

• E.

  Each cell contains multiple nuclei

Which of the following statements about cardiac muscle cells are true ? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Cells are mononuclear and linked by intercellular junctions to form a fibre

• B.

  Are striated in a similar way to skeletal muscle

• C.

  Normally regenerate after cell damage

• D.

  Regulate contraction by release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum

• E.

  Have communicating junctions linking fibres to propagate contraction

Which of the following statements about smooth muscle cells are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Have a single nucleus

• B.

  Use actin and myosin to develop contractile forces

• C.

  Are surrounded by an external lamina

• D.

  Have membrane receptors for hormones

• E.

  May generate their own level of rhythmic contraction

Which of the following statements about myofibroblasts, pericytes and myoepithelial cells are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Myoepithelial cells are found in exocrine glandular tissue such as the breast

• B.

  Myoepithelial cells are stellate cells, with multiple processes, which surround secretory units of glands

• C.

  Myoepithelial cells are controlled by autonomic innervation

• D.

  Pericytes may assume the role of primitive mesenchymal cells

• E.

  Myofibroblasts proliferate and are involved in repair after tissue damage

For each of the statements about contractile cells, select the most appropriate option from A to G. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

• A.

  Skeletal muscle

• B.

  Striated muscle

• C.

  Smooth muscle

• D.

  Cardiac muscle

• E.

  Myofibroblast

• F.

  Pericyte

• G.

  Myoepithelial cell

• 1.

  Expels secretions from exocrine glands

• 2.

  Seen in association with capillaries and venules

• 3.

  After tissue damage, participates in angiogenesis

• 4.

  Characterized by the presence of desmosomal-type, junctional-type and communicating-type junctions

• 5.

  Provides the contractile function in the walls of hollow viscera

Which of the following features are seen in neurons? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Dendrites carry signals away from the cell body

• B.

  They have few lysosomes

• C.

  The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is termed ‘Nissl substance’

• D.

  Slow anterograde transport down the axon is mediated by microtubules

• E.

  The terminal bouton is located at the end of the axon

Which of the following statements about synapses are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Synaptic vesicles are derived solely from transport down the axon

• B.

  Release of neurotransmitter is mediated by voltage-sensitive calcium channels in the nerve terminal

• C.

  Release of transmitter substance is via diffusion through the presynaptic membrane

• D.

  The postsynaptic membrane is fused to the presynaptic membrane by cell adhesion proteins

• E.

  Membrane from synaptic vesicles becomes transiently incorporated into the presynaptic membrane

Which of the following statements about myelin are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Myelin completely unsheathes myelinated axons throughout their length

• B.

  Is formed by Schwann cells in the central nervous system (CNS)

• C.

  May regenerate after damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS)

• D.

  Reduces the conduction speed in very large-diameter axons

• E.

  In the PNS myelin has a different biochemical composition from that in the CNS

In the PNS which of the following are true? Select all that apply .

• A.

  The perineurium surrounds a group of nerve fascicles

• B.

  The epineurium is composed of flattened, epithelial-like cells

• C.

  Axons are all myelinated

• D.

  Nodes of Ranvier are areas of bare axon between segments of myelination

• E.

  Ganglia contain neuronal cell bodies, axons, Schwann cells and satellite cells

Which of the following statements about myelin are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  Oligodendrocytes form myelin in the spinal cord

• B.

  The major dense line in myelin is formed by the fusion of inner surfaces of the cell membrane of the myelinating cell

• C.

  Schmidt–Lanterman incisures are devoid of cytoplasm

• D.

  The intraperiod line is formed by the fusion of the outer surfaces of the cell membrane of the myelinating cell

• E.

  P0 protein is a main component of CNS myelin

Which of the following statement about astrocytes are correct? Select all that apply .

• A.

  The main intermediate filament in astrocytes is neurofilament protein

• B.

  Astrocytes contribute to the structure of the blood–brain barrier

• C.

  Astrocytes have a bipolar morphology

• D.

  After damage to the CNS, repair takes place by proliferation of astrocytes

• E.

  Astrocytes play an important role in maintaining ion and fluid balance within the CNS

For each of the statements about the cells of the central nervous system, select the most appropriate option from A to K. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

• A.

  Purkinje cell

• B.

  Sensory neuron

• C.

  Motor neuron

• D.

  Oligodendrocyte

• E.

  Ependymal cell

• F.

  Astrocyte

• G.

  Microglial cell

• H.

  Meningothelial cell

• I.

  Choroid plexus

• J.

  Lymphocyte

• K.

  Monocyte

• 1.

  Ciliated cell arranged in coherent sheets lining ventricles

• 2.

  In wax sections, seen as a rounded nucleus with a peripheral ‘halo’ of vacuolation and seen especially in the white matter

• 3.

  In wax sections, seen as rod-shaped nuclei in both grey and white matter and having an immune-surveillance function

• 4.

  Cells with a microvillar surface, arranged on vascular papillae

• 5.

  Inconspicuous cells found in the dura, arachnoid and pial layers

For each of the statements about the PNS, select the most appropriate option from A to K. Each option may be used once, more than once or not at all.

• A.

  Schwann cell

• B.

  Epineurium

• C.

  Perineurium

• D.

  Endoneurium

• E.

  Fascicle

• F.

  Ganglion cell

• G.

  Satellite cell

• H.

  Neuron

• I.

  Oligodendrocyte

• J.

  Astrocyte

• K.

  Monocyte

• 1.

  The compartment immediately surrounding axons in a peripheral nerve, composed of collagen fibres, extracellular matrix and fibroblasts

• 2.

  The largest cells seen in a peripheral ganglion

• 3.

  Support cells seen adjacent to neuronal cell bodies in peripheral ganglia

• 4.

  The structure composed of several layers of cells with epithelial structural properties grouping and delineating a bundle of axons

• 5.

  The cell that surrounds non-myelinated axons in a peripheral nerve