Free medical quiz
Chronic Inflammation Quiz
Focused SBA-style practice, followed by the answer and explanation for every question.
- Free now
- 5 questions
- Full bank
- 42 questions
- Answers
- Explained
Free question
Try one with the answer
A question from this quiz. Answer it to see the explanation students get.
Which of the following is the main function of fibroblasts during chronic inflammation?
- A Releasing histamine to increase vascular permeability You picked ✕
- B Making antibodies after exposure to an antigen You picked ✕
- C Killing infected cells directly with cytotoxic granules You picked ✕
- D Engulfing bacteria and cellular debris You picked ✕
- E Making and laying down extracellular matrix such as collagen You picked ✓
Correct!
Incorrect
The answer is E: Making and laying down extracellular matrix such as collagen
Explanation
Why E is correct
See Fibroblasts. Option E is correct because fibroblasts are the cells of connective tissue that make the extracellular matrix, the network of proteins and other molecules that fills the space between cells and gives tissue its strength. The most important of these proteins is collagen. In chronic inflammation, signals from macrophages and other cells keep the fibroblasts active, and they go on laying down collagen. This repairs damage, but if it continues the tissue becomes thickened and stiff, a change called fibrosis, which can leave scar tissue and impair the working of the organ. Examples include the scarring of the liver in cirrhosis and of the lung in pulmonary fibrosis. Memory aid: fibroblasts are the builders (they make the fibres), whereas the macrophages are the cleaners.
- Fibroblasts: the connective tissue cells that make the extracellular matrix.
- Main product: collagen, which gives tissue its strength.
- In chronic inflammation: continued activity leads to fibrosis, with thickened, stiff tissue and scarring.
Why the other options are incorrect
- A. Releasing histamine to increase vascular permeability: Histamine comes from mast cells and basophils and acts within minutes of an injury. Fibroblasts are not a source of histamine. Your answer
- B. Making antibodies after exposure to an antigen: Antibodies are made by plasma cells, which come from B lymphocytes. Fibroblasts are connective tissue cells and have no part in antibody production. Your answer
- C. Killing infected cells directly with cytotoxic granules: Killing infected cells with granules is the job of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. Fibroblasts have no such granules. Your answer
- D. Engulfing bacteria and cellular debris: Engulfing microbes and debris is phagocytosis, carried out by macrophages and neutrophils. Fibroblasts are structural cells and do not do this. Your answer
With Premium, questions you miss become Revision Coach flashcards, scheduled for review.
Question preview
What you will practise
More questions from this set. Start the quiz to answer them and see each explanation.
-
1
Which function is characteristic of macrophages in the immune system?
-
2
A 29-year-old woman has a lymph node biopsy for persistent neck lymph node enlargement. Histology shows multinucleated giant cells formed to contain an organism that macrophages cannot eradicate. The nuclei are arranged in a horseshoe pattern at the edge of each cell. Which type of giant cell is most consistent with this finding?
Revise before you test
Review SimpleMed's doctor-written article, then return here to check recall.
Read the topic articleNeed wider coverage?
Explore every Pathology topic set, or build a tailored mixed session.
Browse subject quizzes