Neoplasia: p53: 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 · Neoplasia: p53

Sample item

Loss of p53 promotes cancer chiefly because cells fail to do what after DNA damage?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Arrest the cell cycle or undergo apoptosis

p53 senses genomic stress and induces p21-mediated cell-cycle arrest, DNA repair programmes, senescence or apoptosis. Its loss permits replication of damaged genomes.

Option by option

  • A. Arrest the cell cycle or undergo apoptosis (correct)

    Correct. p53 is a central checkpoint and apoptosis regulator.

  • B. Express MHC class II

    MHC class II expression is an antigen-presentation function.

  • C. Synthesize telomerase RNA

    Telomerase regulation is not p53's main protective action.

  • D. Produce basement membrane

    Basement membrane production is not the key p53 checkpoint role.

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 A, Arrest the cell cycle or undergo apoptosis. p53 senses genomic stress and induces p21-mediated cell-cycle arrest, DNA repair programmes, senescence or apoptosis.

Why is "Express MHC class II" not the answer?

MHC class II expression is an antigen-presentation function.

Why is "Synthesize telomerase RNA" not the answer?

Telomerase regulation is not p53's main protective action.

Why is "Produce basement membrane" not the answer?

Basement membrane production is not the key p53 checkpoint role.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neoplasia: p53 in Pathology. Its loss permits replication of damaged genomes.

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 Neoplasia: p53?

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.