General anatomy and histology: cartilage matrix: practice question

A Anatomy 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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Anatomy · General anatomy and histology: cartilage matrix

Sample item

A large proteoglycan in cartilage carries chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate chains and binds to hyaluronic acid, trapping water to resist compression. Which molecule is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Aggrecan

Aggrecan is the major proteoglycan of cartilage. Many aggrecan molecules attach to a hyaluronan chain through link protein, and their sulfated chains hold water, which gives cartilage its compressive stiffness.

Option by option

  • A. Syndecan

    This is a transmembrane proteoglycan on cell surfaces, not the cartilage aggregate.

  • B. Decorin

    This small proteoglycan binds collagen fibrils and regulates their assembly.

  • C. Aggrecan (correct)

    Correct. This aggregating proteoglycan holds water and gives cartilage compressive strength.

  • D. Perlecan

    This heparan sulfate proteoglycan belongs to basement membranes.

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 Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Aggrecan. Aggrecan is the major proteoglycan of cartilage.

Why is "Syndecan" not the answer?

This is a transmembrane proteoglycan on cell surfaces, not the cartilage aggregate.

Why is "Decorin" not the answer?

This small proteoglycan binds collagen fibrils and regulates their assembly.

Why is "Perlecan" not the answer?

This heparan sulfate proteoglycan belongs to basement membranes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests General anatomy and histology: cartilage matrix in Anatomy. Many aggrecan molecules attach to a hyaluronan chain through link protein, and their sulfated chains hold water, which gives cartilage its compressive stiffness.

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 General anatomy and histology: cartilage matrix?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy 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.