Cell injury and adaptation: pyroptosis: 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 and adaptation: pyroptosis

Sample item

A form of programmed cell death depends on activation of caspase-1 within an inflammasome, forms membrane pores through gasdermin and releases IL-1 beta. Which process is this?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Pyroptosis

Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of cell death in which inflammasome-activated caspase-1 cleaves gasdermin D and pro-IL-1 beta. The pores allow release of IL-1 beta and cell contents. Apoptosis, by contrast, is non-inflammatory.

Option by option

  • A. Necroptosis

    Necroptosis depends on RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL, not on caspase-1.

  • B. Apoptosis

    Apoptosis uses caspase-3 and keeps the membrane intact, so it is non-inflammatory.

  • C. Autophagy

    Autophagy is a survival mechanism that digests organelles in lysosomes.

  • D. Pyroptosis (correct)

    Correct. Caspase-1 and gasdermin pores with IL-1 beta release define pyroptosis.

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 Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, Pyroptosis. Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of cell death in which inflammasome-activated caspase-1 cleaves gasdermin D and pro-IL-1 beta.

Why is "Necroptosis" not the answer?

Necroptosis depends on RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL, not on caspase-1.

Why is "Apoptosis" not the answer?

Apoptosis uses caspase-3 and keeps the membrane intact, so it is non-inflammatory.

Why is "Autophagy" not the answer?

Autophagy is a survival mechanism that digests organelles in lysosomes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell injury and adaptation: pyroptosis in Pathology. The pores allow release of IL-1 beta and cell contents. Apoptosis, by contrast, is non-inflammatory.

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 and adaptation: pyroptosis?

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.