Cell injury: autophagy: 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 injury: autophagy

Sample item

In a starved cell, electron microscopy shows double-membrane vacuoles enclosing organelles that fuse with lysosomes. Which process is this, and what signals it?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Autophagy, triggered by nutrient deprivation through inhibition of mTOR signalling

Autophagy is a survival response in which an autophagosome sequesters cellular components and delivers them to lysosomes for digestion, supplying nutrients during starvation. Nutrient deprivation inhibits mTOR, which activates the ATG protein machinery, including beclin 1. Excessive autophagy can eventually lead to cell death.

Option by option

  • A. Necroptosis, triggered by RIP kinase activation

    Necroptosis is a regulated form of necrosis driven by RIPK1 and RIPK3, with membrane rupture.

  • B. Autophagy, triggered by nutrient deprivation through inhibition of mTOR signalling (correct)

    Correct. Starvation turns off mTOR and induces autophagosome formation.

  • C. Apoptosis, triggered by the caspase 3 cascade

    Apoptosis is executed by caspases and produces apoptotic bodies, not autophagic vacuoles.

  • D. Heterophagy of apoptotic bodies by macrophages

    Phagocytosis of apoptotic bodies is performed by other cells, whereas here the cell digests its own organelles.

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.

More Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is B, Autophagy, triggered by nutrient deprivation through inhibition of mTOR signalling. Autophagy is a survival response in which an autophagosome sequesters cellular components and delivers them to lysosomes for digestion, supplying nutrients during starvation.

Why is "Necroptosis, triggered by RIP kinase activation" not the answer?

Necroptosis is a regulated form of necrosis driven by RIPK1 and RIPK3, with membrane rupture.

Why is "Apoptosis, triggered by the caspase 3 cascade" not the answer?

Apoptosis is executed by caspases and produces apoptotic bodies, not autophagic vacuoles.

Why is "Heterophagy of apoptotic bodies by macrophages" not the answer?

Phagocytosis of apoptotic bodies is performed by other cells, whereas here the cell digests its own organelles.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell injury: autophagy in Pathology. Nutrient deprivation inhibits mTOR, which activates the ATG protein machinery, including beclin 1. Excessive autophagy can eventually lead to cell death.

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 injury: autophagy?

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.