Cell death: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pathology · Cell death

Sample item

Which feature best distinguishes apoptosis from necrosis?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Apoptosis occurs with little surrounding inflammation

Apoptosis is an organized, energy-dependent process with membrane-bound apoptotic bodies rapidly cleared by phagocytes, so it usually produces little inflammatory reaction compared with necrosis.

Option by option

  • A. Apoptosis always ruptures cell membranes early

    Early membrane rupture is characteristic of necrosis rather than apoptosis.

  • B. Necrosis requires caspase activation

    Caspases are central to apoptosis, not typical uncontrolled necrosis.

  • C. Apoptosis occurs with little surrounding inflammation (correct)

    Correct: orderly clearance in apoptosis limits surrounding inflammation.

  • D. Necrosis never follows ischemia

    Ischemia is a common cause of necrosis.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is C, Apoptosis occurs with little surrounding inflammation. Apoptosis is an organized, energy-dependent process with membrane-bound apoptotic bodies rapidly cleared by phagocytes, so it usually produces little inflammatory reaction compared with necrosis.

Why is "Apoptosis always ruptures cell membranes early" not the answer?

Early membrane rupture is characteristic of necrosis rather than apoptosis.

Why is "Necrosis requires caspase activation" not the answer?

Caspases are central to apoptosis, not typical uncontrolled necrosis.

Why is "Necrosis never follows ischemia" not the answer?

Ischemia is a common cause of necrosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell death in Pathology. The correct option holds because: Correct: orderly clearance in apoptosis limits surrounding inflammation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cell death?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.