Pathological Changes Flashcards
7 cards from real Histology Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pathological Changes flashcards as text
Which pattern of apoptosis is characterized by caspase activation, DNA laddering, and phagocytosis without inflammation?
Answer: Both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways share these terminal features
Both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways converge on the same executioner caspases, producing DNA laddering and apoptotic bodies cleared by phagocytes without inflammation.
In an H&E section, apoptotic cells appear as:
Answer: Small, intensely eosinophilic cells with condensed, fragmented nuclei
Apoptotic cells shrink, their cytoplasm becomes deeply eosinophilic, and the nucleus undergoes pyknosis and karyorrhexis (condensation and fragmentation).
Which pro-apoptotic protein, when released from the mitochondrial intermembrane space, directly activates the caspase cascade?
Answer: Cytochrome c
Cytochrome c is released from mitochondria and binds Apaf-1 to form the apoptosome, which activates procaspase-9 and triggers the caspase cascade.
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated by binding of which ligand to its death receptor?
Answer: FasL (CD95L) to Fas (CD95)
FasL binding to Fas recruits FADD and procaspase-8, forming the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) to activate the extrinsic pathway.
Calcification found within a previously necrotic focus, such as an old tuberculous granuloma, is classified as which type?
Answer: Dystrophic calcification
Dystrophic calcification occurs in dead or dying tissue despite normal serum calcium levels, as in old granulomas, atherosclerotic plaques, and necrotic tumors.
Metastatic calcification, unlike dystrophic calcification, requires which prerequisite condition?
Answer: Hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia
Metastatic calcification deposits mineral in normal tissues when serum calcium or phosphate levels are abnormally elevated, as in hyperparathyroidism.
Accumulation of hemosiderin (golden-brown granules) in hepatocytes is best identified with which special stain?
Answer: Prussian blue (Perls') stain
Prussian blue (Perls') stain reacts with ferric iron in hemosiderin, producing a bright blue color that confirms iron accumulation.