Renal and acid–base: renal erythropoietin: practice question

A Physiology 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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Physiology · Renal and acid–base: renal erythropoietin

Sample item

A 50-year-old with chronic kidney disease has normocytic anaemia with low reticulocytes and normal iron stores. Which cells have lost the capacity to produce the relevant hormone?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Peritubular interstitial cells of the renal cortex

Erythropoietin is made by peritubular interstitial fibroblast-like cells that sense low oxygen. Their loss in chronic kidney disease explains anaemia that responds to erythropoietin-stimulating agents.

Option by option

  • A. Macula densa cells

    Macula densa cells sense luminal sodium chloride.

  • B. Juxtaglomerular granular cells

    Juxtaglomerular cells secrete renin.

  • C. Peritubular interstitial cells of the renal cortex (correct)

    Correct. Peritubular interstitial cells are the oxygen-sensing source of erythropoietin.

  • D. Podocytes

    Podocytes form the filtration slits of the glomerulus.

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 Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is C, Peritubular interstitial cells of the renal cortex. Erythropoietin is made by peritubular interstitial fibroblast-like cells that sense low oxygen.

Why is "Macula densa cells" not the answer?

Macula densa cells sense luminal sodium chloride.

Why is "Juxtaglomerular granular cells" not the answer?

Juxtaglomerular cells secrete renin.

Why is "Podocytes" not the answer?

Podocytes form the filtration slits of the glomerulus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Renal and acid–base: renal erythropoietin in Physiology. Their loss in chronic kidney disease explains anaemia that responds to erythropoietin-stimulating agents.

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 Renal and acid–base: renal erythropoietin?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology 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.