Cell adaptation: 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 adaptation

Sample item

Which term describes an increase in the number of cells within an organ in response to a stimulus?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Hyperplasia

Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number caused by hormonal or growth-factor stimulation in tissues capable of division, whereas hypertrophy is enlargement of existing individual cells.

Option by option

  • A. Atrophy

    Atrophy is a reduction in cell size and often organ mass.

  • B. Hypertrophy

    Hypertrophy means increased cell size rather than cell number.

  • C. Hyperplasia (correct)

    Correct: hyperplasia means more cells in a tissue or organ.

  • D. Metaplasia

    Metaplasia is replacement of one differentiated cell type by another.

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 C, Hyperplasia. Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number caused by hormonal or growth-factor stimulation in tissues capable of division, whereas hypertrophy is enlargement of existing individual cells.

Why is "Atrophy" not the answer?

Atrophy is a reduction in cell size and often organ mass.

Why is "Hypertrophy" not the answer?

Hypertrophy means increased cell size rather than cell number.

Why is "Metaplasia" not the answer?

Metaplasia is replacement of one differentiated cell type by another.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell adaptation in Pathology. The correct option holds because: Correct: hyperplasia means more cells in a tissue or organ.

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 adaptation?

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.