Cell death: apoptosis: 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: apoptosis

Sample item

Which feature favors apoptosis over necrosis?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Cell shrinkage with membrane-bound apoptotic bodies and minimal inflammation

Apoptosis is regulated cell death with cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, fragmentation into apoptotic bodies, and little inflammatory response. Necrosis disrupts membranes and provokes inflammation.

Option by option

  • A. Random enzymatic digestion of adjacent tissue

    Apoptosis is controlled rather than random tissue digestion.

  • B. Cell swelling with membrane rupture and neutrophilic inflammation

    This describes necrosis.

  • C. Cell shrinkage with membrane-bound apoptotic bodies and minimal inflammation (correct)

    Correct. Contained apoptotic bodies limit inflammation.

  • D. Release of large amounts of intracellular enzymes

    Major enzyme release is typical of membrane-disrupting 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, Cell shrinkage with membrane-bound apoptotic bodies and minimal inflammation. Apoptosis is regulated cell death with cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, fragmentation into apoptotic bodies, and little inflammatory response.

Why is "Random enzymatic digestion of adjacent tissue" not the answer?

Apoptosis is controlled rather than random tissue digestion.

Why is "Cell swelling with membrane rupture and neutrophilic inflammation" not the answer?

This describes necrosis.

Why is "Release of large amounts of intracellular enzymes" not the answer?

Major enzyme release is typical of membrane-disrupting necrosis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell death: apoptosis in Pathology. Necrosis disrupts membranes and provokes 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: apoptosis?

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.