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Cell Structure and Cytology Essentials
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Cell Structure and Cytology Essentials
Lecture 1 Cell Structure and Cytology Essentials
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1
Question
What is the foundational unit of pathology as stated in the material?
Answer
The cell
2
Question
What are the typical components of nearly all normal cells?
Answer
Nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, extracellular matrix
3
Question
What are the main functions of DNA storage and replication in the nucleus?
Answer
Storage & replication of DNA
4
Question
What is the role of transcription in the nucleus?
Answer
Synthesis of a working RNA copy of DNA
5
Question
Where is the transcribed RNA processed to guide protein synthesis?
Answer
Cytoplasm (ribosomes translate RNA into proteins)
6
Question
What does multinucleation usually indicate in epithelial cells?
Answer
Atypia or abnormality
7
Question
What does a high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio (N:C) signify?
Answer
More active nucleus (highly metabolic/activity)
8
Question
How is nuclear shape described in relation to cell type?
Answer
Round/oval for epithelial; cigar-shaped for smooth muscle; irregular when abnormal
9
Question
What is vesicular chromatin?
Answer
Chromatin with visible, uncondensed particles; open chromatin
10
Question
What is a Barr body?
Answer
Inactivated X chromosome in females (sex chromatin)
11
Question
What does the presence of nucleoli suggest?
Answer
Atypia often; may appear in benign/reactive states
12
Question
What are mitotic figures and what do they indicate?
Answer
Nuclei with clumped chromatin; active cell division; usually abnormal in tumors
13
Question
What does hyperchromasia indicate?
Answer
Dark-staining nucleus due to increased DNA
14
Question
What does hypochromasia indicate?
Answer
Light-staining nucleus due to decreased DNA staining
15
Question
What is pyknosis?
Answer
Condensation and shrinkage of chromatin, nucleus
16
Question
What is karyorrhexis?
Answer
Fragmentation of the nucleus
17
Question
What is karyolysis?
Answer
Dissolution of nuclear structure and chromatin lysis
18
Question
What is the basic stain color convention for cytoplasm (Pap stain) related to RNA-binding?
Answer
Blue cytoplasm indicates active protein synthesis (basophilia)
19
Question
What are the primary elements of the cytoplasm?
Answer
Organelles, amorphous matrix, cytoskeleton, cell products
20
Question
What does the saying “Form follows function” imply in cytology?
Answer
Cytoplasmic shape reflects cell function
21
Question
What cytoplasmic features indicate squamous cell function?
Answer
Dense, hard cytoplasm for protection
22
Question
What cytoplasmic features indicate glandular cell function?
Answer
Delicate cytoplasm with vacuolization indicating secretion
23
Question
What are cytoplasmic inclusions?
Answer
Deposits or organelles stored material in cytoplasm
24
Question
Name common cytoplasmic inclusions listed.
Answer
Mucin, glycogen, lipids, lipofuscin, hemosiderin, melanin, carbon/pigments
25
Question
What is the significance of mitochondria abundance?
Answer
Reflects metabolic activity; abundant in active cells like Hurthle cells
26
Question
What is the staining property associated with ribosomes?
Answer
Basophilic blue cytoplasm from protein synthesis activity
27
Question
What functional adaptations increase surface area for absorption?
Answer
Microvilli
28
Question
What cellular structures aid movement of material across the surface?
Answer
Cilia and flagella (sperm)
29
Question
How is extracellular matrix (ECM) characterized in cytology?
Answer
Background material: blood, inflammation, necrotic material, diathesis
30
Question
What is meant by a 'clean' background in cytology?
Answer
Scant material or minimal inflammation around cells