Histology Certification Tissue Types 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A biopsy shows cells arranged in a single layer where all nuclei appear at different heights but all cells contact the basement membrane. This is:
- Stratified columnar epithelium
- Simple columnar epithelium
- Pseudostratified columnar epithelium (Correct answer)
- Transitional epithelium
Correct answer: Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Pseudostratified epithelium has nuclei at varying levels giving a false stratified appearance, but every cell contacts the basement membrane.
Question 2: Which connective tissue cell is responsible for synthesizing the extracellular matrix components including collagen and ground substance?
- Macrophage
- Mast cell
- Fibroblast (Correct answer)
- Plasma cell
Correct answer: Fibroblast
Fibroblasts are the primary cells of connective tissue proper, responsible for synthesizing collagen fibers and ground substance.
Question 3: Smooth muscle differs from skeletal muscle in that smooth muscle:
- Has visible striations under light microscopy
- Contains troponin as part of its contractile mechanism
- Lacks sarcomeres and is involuntary (Correct answer)
- Has multinucleated cells
Correct answer: Lacks sarcomeres and is involuntary
Smooth muscle lacks the organized sarcomere structure of striated muscle, making it non-striated and under involuntary control.
Question 4: In nervous tissue, what is the role of astrocytes?
- Myelinate CNS axons
- Form the blood-brain barrier and provide metabolic support to neurons (Correct answer)
- Engulf cellular debris via phagocytosis
- Produce cerebrospinal fluid
Correct answer: Form the blood-brain barrier and provide metabolic support to neurons
Astrocytes support neuronal function by maintaining the blood-brain barrier, regulating ion balance, and providing metabolic support.
Question 5: Which statement about elastic cartilage is TRUE?
- It is found in articular joint surfaces
- It contains abundant elastic fibers giving flexibility (Correct answer)
- It lacks chondrocytes
- It calcifies readily with aging
Correct answer: It contains abundant elastic fibers giving flexibility
Elastic cartilage contains elastic fibers in addition to collagen, providing flexibility in structures like the epiglottis and auricle.
Question 6: The basement membrane underlying epithelia is composed mainly of which two structures?
- Basal lamina and reticular lamina (Correct answer)
- Lamina propria and muscularis mucosae
- Basal lamina and elastic lamina
- Sarcolemma and endomysium
Correct answer: Basal lamina and reticular lamina
The basement membrane consists of the basal lamina (secreted by epithelial cells) and the reticular lamina (secreted by connective tissue fibroblasts).
Question 7: Mast cells in connective tissue are functionally important because they:
- Synthesize collagen fibers during wound healing
- Store and release histamine and heparin during immune responses (Correct answer)
- Phagocytose bacteria and cellular debris
- Produce antibodies
Correct answer: Store and release histamine and heparin during immune responses
Mast cells contain granules with histamine and heparin, which are released during allergic reactions and inflammation.
Histology Certification Tissue Types 3
A biopsy shows cells arranged in a single layer where all nuclei appear at different heights but all cells contact the basement membrane.
This is: