General anatomy and histology: 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

Sample item

A boy with progressive calf hypertrophy and Gowers sign has absent staining for a protein that links the actin cytoskeleton to the sarcolemmal glycoprotein complex. Which protein is missing?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Dystrophin

Dystrophin connects F-actin to the dystroglycan complex in the sarcolemma and protects fibres from contraction-induced damage. Its absence causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Option by option

  • A. Dystrophin (correct)

    Correct. Dystrophin anchors actin to the sarcolemma through the glycoprotein complex.

  • B. Titin

    Titin is an elastic sarcomere protein joining the Z line to the M line.

  • C. Troponin T

    Troponin T anchors the troponin complex to tropomyosin and does not reach the sarcolemma.

  • D. Nebulin

    Nebulin is a thin-filament template that regulates actin length.

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 Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Dystrophin. Dystrophin connects F-actin to the dystroglycan complex in the sarcolemma and protects fibres from contraction-induced damage.

Why is "Titin" not the answer?

Titin is an elastic sarcomere protein joining the Z line to the M line.

Why is "Troponin T" not the answer?

Troponin T anchors the troponin complex to tropomyosin and does not reach the sarcolemma.

Why is "Nebulin" not the answer?

Nebulin is a thin-filament template that regulates actin length.

What concept does this question test?

It tests General anatomy and histology in Anatomy. Its absence causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

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?

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.