Microscopy and Histopathology Quizzes for Pathology Students

Question 1

To prepare tissue samples for examination under a light microscope, what is the correct sequential order of these steps: fixation, embedding, sectioning, and staining?

Accepted Answer

Fixation, embedding, sectioning, staining

Answer

Staining, embedding, fixation, sectioning

Answer

Sectioning, fixation, staining, embedding

Answer

Embedding, fixation, sectioning, staining

Question 2

Which technique enhances specific tissue structures' visibility in tissue sections?

Accepted Answer

Staining

Answer

Tissue fixation

Answer

Microtomy

Answer

Slide mounting

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a microtome in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

Tissue section cutting

Answer

Tissue embedding

Answer

Tissue staining

Answer

Tissue visualization under a microscope

Question 4

Which is NOT a histological stain?

Accepted Answer

Immunohistochemistry

Answer

Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)

Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)

Answer

Papanicolaou (Pap) stain

Question 5

The primary objective of tissue preparation in histopathology is to:

Accepted Answer

Preserve the structure and morphology of the tissue for microscopic examination

Answer

To enhance the visibility of specific cellular components

Question 6

H&E staining is commonly used in histopathology because it provides:

Accepted Answer

Excellent contrast between cellular components and highlights various tissue structures

Answer

Highlights specific cell types and structures

Question 7

In a histopathological report, the term 'necrosis' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Cell death due to irreversible cellular damage

Answer

Cell death caused by inflammation

Question 8

Which type of microscope is primarily used in histopathology for visualizing tissue sections?

Accepted Answer

Light microscope

Answer

Electron microscope

Question 9

A cryostat in histopathology is primarily used for:

Accepted Answer

Cutting thin sections of frozen tissue

Answer

Cut thin sections of frozen tissue

Question 10

Immunohistochemistry in histopathology is used for:

Accepted Answer

Identifying and localizing specific proteins in tissue sections

Answer

Visualize the ultrastructure of cells

Question 11

A microtome in histopathology is used for:

Accepted Answer

Cutting thin sections of tissue

Answer

Staining tissue sections

Question 12

In histopathology, tumor 'grade' generally refers to:

Accepted Answer

The level of differentiation of the tumor cells

Answer

The extent of tumor invasion

Question 13

A characteristic of a well-differentiated tumor can be:

Accepted Answer

Cells closely resemble normal cells

Answer

Cells show high levels of mitotic activity

Question 14

Which staining technique is specifically used to visualize collagen fibers in tissue sections?

Accepted Answer

van Gieson's stain

Answer

Hematoxylin and eosin

Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff stain

Answer

Oil Red O stain

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a type of microscope used in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

Atomic force microscope

Answer

Light microscope

Answer

Transmission electron microscope

Answer

Scanning electron microscope

Question 16

What is the primary purpose of staining in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

To differentiate between different tissue components

Answer

To preserve tissue structure

Answer

To identify specific molecules within the tissue

Answer

To kill bacteria in the tissue

Question 17

What is meant by 'biopsy' in the context of histopathology?

Accepted Answer

The removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination

Answer

The process of preparing a tissue sample for microscopy

Answer

The interpretation of microscopic findings in a tissue sample

Answer

The diagnosis of a disease based on microscopic findings

Question 18

Which of the following is a characteristic of benign tumors?

Accepted Answer

They do not exhibit abnormal cellular growth

Answer

They invade surrounding tissues

Answer

They metastasize to distant sites

Answer

They are always life-threatening

Question 19

What is the primary role of a histopathologist?

Accepted Answer

To diagnose diseases by examining tissue samples

Answer

To perform surgery on patients

Answer

To prescribe medication to patients

Answer

To conduct research in the field of pathology

Question 20

What is the main purpose of tissue fixation in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

To preserve tissue structure

Answer

To enhance staining

Answer

To kill bacteria

Answer

To increase tissue elasticity

Question 21

Which type of stain is primarily used to visualize cell nuclei in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

Hematoxylin

Answer

Eosin

Answer

Periodic acid-Schiff

Answer

Congo red

Question 22

What is the primary function of a microtome in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

To cut thin sections of tissue

Answer

To stain tissue specimens

Answer

To view tissue under a microscope

Answer

To fix tissue samples

Question 23

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of benign tumours?

Accepted Answer

Absence of cellular atypia

Answer

Rapid growth

Answer

Invasion of surrounding tissues

Answer

Metastasis

Question 24

Define the key difference between dysplasia and neoplasia.

Accepted Answer

Dysplasia refers to abnormal cell growth without invasion, while neoplasia denotes abnormal cell growth with invasion.

Answer

Neoplasia describes abnormal cell growth without invasion, whereas dysplasia involves abnormal cell growth with invasion.

Answer

Dysplasia and neoplasia are interchangeable terms.

Answer

Neoplasia is a subset of dysplasia.

Question 25

How are tumor margins assessed in histopathology, and why is this important for surgical planning?

Accepted Answer

Frozen section and permanent section analysis

Answer

Immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis

Answer

Electron microscopy and confocal microscopy

Answer

Flow cytometry and cytology

Question 26

What is the overarching goal of tissue preparation in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

Preserving the tissue's structural integrity and components

Answer

Applying stains to enhance visualization

Answer

Identifying specific molecules or proteins within the tissue

Answer

Removing all traces of blood and other fluids

Question 27

Which staining technique is commonly employed to highlight collagen fibers in tissue sections?

Accepted Answer

Trichrome stain

Answer

H&E stain

Answer

Gram stain

Answer

Immunohistochemistry

Question 28

Which type of microscopy is particularly suitable for observing live cells?

Accepted Answer

Phase contrast microscopy

Answer

Brightfield microscopy

Answer

Darkfield microscopy

Answer

Fluorescence microscopy

Question 29

Describe the purpose of a tissue microarray (TMA).

Accepted Answer

Simultaneous analysis of multiple tissue samples on a single slide

Answer

Identification of specific molecules or proteins in tissue

Answer

Preparation of tissue for electron microscopy

Answer

Quantification of gene expression in tissue

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT included in the tissue preparation process?

Accepted Answer

Incubation

Answer

Fixation

Answer

Embedding

Answer

Staining

Question 31

Which type of microscope is commonly used for histopathological examinations?

Accepted Answer

Light microscope

Answer

Electron microscope

Answer

Fluorescence microscope

Answer

Atomic force microscope

Question 32

What is the term for the process of examining and interpreting histopathological specimens?

Accepted Answer

Histopathological analysis

Answer

Diagnosis

Answer

Microscopy

Answer

Histological assessment

Question 33

What is the primary function of a cryostat in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

To section tissue samples

Answer

To preserve tissue samples

Answer

To stain tissue samples

Answer

To amplify tissue images

Question 34

Which of the following agents is commonly used for tissue fixation?

Accepted Answer

Formalin

Answer

Ethanol

Answer

Glutaraldehyde

Answer

Paraffin

Question 35

What is the primary reason for calibrating a microscope before use?

Accepted Answer

To ensure accurate measurements and image analysis

Answer

To improve image quality and resolution

Answer

To reduce eye strain during prolonged use

Answer

To prevent electrical hazards

Question 36

What is the primary stain used in hematoxylin and eosin staining?

Accepted Answer

Hematoxylin

Answer

Eosin

Answer

Methyl Blue

Answer

Safranin

Question 37

Which of the following is a characteristic of benign tumors?

Accepted Answer

Slow growth rate

Answer

Invasive growth

Answer

Rapid metastasis

Answer

High nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio

Question 38

What is the primary purpose of tissue fixation in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

Preserve tissue structure and prevent decay

Answer

Soften tissue for easier sectioning

Answer

Enhance staining

Answer

Increase contrast between different tissue components

Question 39

What is the clinical significance of nuclear atypia in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

It can indicate potential malignancy or premalignant changes

Answer

It is not a reliable indicator of disease severity

Answer

It is a common finding in benign conditions

Answer

It is only observed in infectious diseases

Question 40

Which of the following is a primary function of the Golgi apparatus in cells?

Accepted Answer

Protein modification and packaging

Answer

Energy production

Answer

DNA replication

Answer

Lipid synthesis

Question 41

Differentiate between hyperplasia and hypertrophy?

Accepted Answer

Hyperplasia involves an increase in cell number, while hypertrophy involves an increase in cell size

Answer

Hypertrophy is more common in benign conditions, while hyperplasia is more common in malignant conditions

Answer

Hyperplasia is a reversible process, while hypertrophy is irreversible

Answer

Hyperplasia is always associated with increased tissue size, while hypertrophy can also lead to decreased tissue size

Question 42

Which of the following is a type of inflammatory cell commonly found in acute inflammation?

Accepted Answer

Neutrophil

Answer

Plasma cell

Answer

Lymphocyte

Answer

Eosinophil

Question 43

What is the primary application of immunohistochemistry in histopathology?

Accepted Answer

Detection and localization of specific antigens or proteins in tissue sections

Answer

Differentiation between cell types based on their morphology

Answer

Estimation of the number of cells in a tissue sample

Answer

Enhancement of tissue contrast