Definition of tissues MCQs With Answer is an essential revision resource for B. Pharm students studying histology and pharmacology foundations. This collection explains the definition, classification, structure and functions of tissues — epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous — and links clinical relevance such as drug absorption, tissue regeneration, and pathological changes. Each question focuses on cellular components, extracellular matrix, cell junctions, embryonic origins, and specialized tissue types with clear answers and concise explanations to reinforce learning. Ideal for exam preparation, practicals and quick concept checks, these MCQs boost retention and application of tissue science in pharmaceutical contexts. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the most accepted definition of a tissue?
- A group of cells with similar structure and a common function
- A collection of organs performing a major physiological role
- A single specialized cell performing multiple functions
- A fluid medium that supports cells
Correct Answer: A group of cells with similar structure and a common function
Q2. Which are the four basic tissue types in humans?
- Epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous
- Connective, secretory, adipose, nervous
- Endothelial, epithelial, cartilaginous, muscular
- Glandular, neuronal, osseous, fibrous
Correct Answer: Epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous
Q3. Which embryonic germ layer primarily gives rise to epithelial lining of the gut?
- Meso derm
- Endoderm
- Ectoderm
- Trophoblast
Correct Answer: Endoderm
Q4. Epithelial tissue is primarily characterized by which features?
- Cells in abundant extracellular matrix and low cellularity
- Tightly packed cells, polarity, and basement membrane
- Contractile fibers and excitability
- Highly vascularized and secretory only
Correct Answer: Tightly packed cells, polarity, and basement membrane
Q5. Which type of epithelium is best suited for diffusion and filtration?
- Stratified squamous epithelium
- Simple squamous epithelium
- Transitional epithelium
- Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Correct Answer: Simple squamous epithelium
Q6. The basement membrane separating epithelium from connective tissue contains which major component?
- Type II collagen
- Type IV collagen
- Elastin fibers
- Keratin filaments
Correct Answer: Type IV collagen
Q7. Tight junctions (zonula occludens) are important for:
- Strengthening tissue by linking intermediate filaments
- Allowing free exchange of ions between cells
- Creating a selective barrier to paracellular transport
- Generating electrical impulses
Correct Answer: Creating a selective barrier to paracellular transport
Q8. Which proteins are major components of gap junctions?
- Cadherins
- Connexins
- Claudins
- Integrins
Correct Answer: Connexins
Q9. Desmosomes primarily provide:
- Cell-to-matrix adhesion for migration
- Strong intercellular mechanical adhesion
- Molecular transport across the epithelium
- Secretion of extracellular matrix
Correct Answer: Strong intercellular mechanical adhesion
Q10. Which cell type synthesizes most extracellular matrix components in connective tissue?
- Adipocyte
- Fibroblast
- Chondrocyte
- Osteoclast
Correct Answer: Fibroblast
Q11. Ground substance of connective tissue is mainly composed of:
- DNA and RNA
- Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans
- Actin and myosin
- Keratin and desmin
Correct Answer: Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans
Q12. Which collagen type is most abundant in bone and skin?
- Type I collagen
- Type II collagen
- Type IV collagen
- Type VII collagen
Correct Answer: Type I collagen
Q13. Which connective tissue is highly cellular and stores energy?
- Dense regular connective tissue
- Adipose tissue
- Cartilage
- Bone
Correct Answer: Adipose tissue
Q14. Which cartilage type is found in intervertebral discs and pubic symphysis?
- Hyaline cartilage
- Elastic cartilage
- Fibrocartilage
- Osseous cartilage
Correct Answer: Fibrocartilage
Q15. Endochondral ossification is a process where bone forms from:
- Direct mesenchymal condensation without cartilage
- A cartilage template
- Remodeling of tendon tissue
- Calcification of blood
Correct Answer: A cartilage template
Q16. Osteoclasts are responsible for:
- Bone formation by producing osteoid
- Bone resorption via acid and enzymes
- Mineralization of cartilage
- Synthesis of collagen type II
Correct Answer: Bone resorption via acid and enzymes
Q17. Which muscle type is involuntary and striated?
- Skeletal muscle
- Cardiac muscle
- Smooth muscle
- Myoepithelial muscle
Correct Answer: Cardiac muscle
Q18. The functional unit of skeletal muscle is called:
- Myofibril
- Sarcomere
- Sarcolemma
- Sarcoplasm
Correct Answer: Sarcomere
Q19. Which protein interaction primarily causes muscle contraction?
- Actin-myosin cross-bridge cycling
- Tubulin-dynein binding
- Kinesin-myosin interaction
- Collagen-elastin tethering
Correct Answer: Actin-myosin cross-bridge cycling
Q20. Neurons communicate via specialized junctions called:
- Desmosomes
- Synapses
- Tight junctions
- Gap junctions only in heart
Correct Answer: Synapses
Q21. Which glial cell is responsible for myelination in the central nervous system?
- Schwann cell
- Oligodendrocyte
- Astrocyte
- Microglia
Correct Answer: Oligodendrocyte
Q22. Which cell junction is most important in maintaining the blood-brain barrier?
- Desmosomes
- Tight junctions
- Hemidesmosomes
- Adherens junctions
Correct Answer: Tight junctions
Q23. Goblet cells are specialized epithelial cells that secrete:
- Enzymes into the bloodstream
- Mucus (mucins) onto mucosal surfaces
- Serous watery fluid only
- Collagen for extracellular matrix
Correct Answer: Mucus (mucins) onto mucosal surfaces
Q24. Which epithelium lines the urinary bladder and is capable of stretching?
- Simple columnar epithelium
- Stratified squamous epithelium
- Transitional epithelium
- Pseudostratified ciliated epithelium
Correct Answer: Transitional epithelium
Q25. Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells is typical of the:
- Small intestine lining
- Trachea and upper respiratory tract
- Skin epidermis
- Gastric mucosa
Correct Answer: Trachea and upper respiratory tract
Q26. Which staining technique is commonly used to highlight connective tissue fibers like collagen?
- Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) only
- Masson’s trichrome
- Gram stain
- Ziehl-Neelsen stain
Correct Answer: Masson’s trichrome
Q27. Which tissue type has high regenerative capacity and is important for absorptive drug delivery in the gut?
- Cardiac muscle
- Epithelial tissue
- Hyaline cartilage
- Nervous tissue
Correct Answer: Epithelial tissue
Q28. Merocrine secretion involves:
- Cell rupture and release of entire cell content
- Release of secretory vesicles by exocytosis with no loss of cell
- Pinching off apical cytoplasm with secretory product
- Secretion across tight junctions
Correct Answer: Release of secretory vesicles by exocytosis with no loss of cell
Q29. Holocrine secretion is best exemplified by which gland?
- Pancreas
- Sweat gland
- Sebaceous gland
- Salivary gland
Correct Answer: Sebaceous gland
Q30. Resident immune cells that release histamine in connective tissue are called:
- Mast cells
- Fibroblasts
- Osteoblasts
- Chondrocytes
Correct Answer: Mast cells
Q31. Which tissue is avascular and receives nutrients by diffusion from surrounding tissue?
- Bone
- Cartilage
- Adipose tissue
- Skeletal muscle
Correct Answer: Cartilage
Q32. The epidermis is derived from which embryonic layer?
- Endoderm
- Meso derm
- Ectoderm
- Notochord
Correct Answer: Ectoderm
Q33. Which layer of the epidermis contains living keratinocytes undergoing mitosis?
- Stratum corneum
- Stratum lucidum
- Stratum basale
- Stratum granulosum
Correct Answer: Stratum basale
Q34. Fibers that provide elastic recoil in tissues are composed mainly of:
- Collagen type I
- Elastin
- Keratin
- Fibrillin only
Correct Answer: Elastin
Q35. Which blood cell is a primary phagocyte in connective tissues?
- Erythrocyte
- Neutrophil
- Lymphocyte
- Platelet
Correct Answer: Neutrophil
Q36. Plasma cells in connective tissue are specialized for:
- Producing collagen
- Secreting antibodies (immunoglobulins)
- Phagocytosis of bacteria
- Generating action potentials
Correct Answer: Secreting antibodies (immunoglobulins)
Q37. Which feature distinguishes smooth muscle from skeletal muscle microscopically?
- Striations and multinucleation in smooth muscle
- No striations and centrally located nuclei in smooth muscle
- Presence of sarcomeres in smooth muscle only
- Intercalated discs in smooth muscle
Correct Answer: No striations and centrally located nuclei in smooth muscle
Q38. Which type of connective tissue is organized into parallel collagen bundles and resists tensile stress in one direction?
- Dense irregular connective tissue
- Loose areolar connective tissue
- Dense regular connective tissue
- Reticular connective tissue
Correct Answer: Dense regular connective tissue
Q39. What role do integrins play in tissues?
- Form tight junction seals
- Mediate cell-matrix adhesion and signaling
- Make up gap junction channels
- Produce extracellular matrix proteoglycans
Correct Answer: Mediate cell-matrix adhesion and signaling
Q40. Which cell type in epidermis provides pigment to keratinocytes?
- Langerhans cells
- Melanocytes
- Merkel cells
- Fibroblasts
Correct Answer: Melanocytes
Q41. Which tissue change is most relevant when considering drug distribution to fibrotic organs?
- Increased capillary permeability only
- Excessive extracellular matrix deposition reducing diffusion
- Complete loss of extracellular matrix enhancing diffusion
- Transformation of epithelium to endothelium
Correct Answer: Excessive extracellular matrix deposition reducing diffusion
Q42. Simple columnar epithelium in the intestine often contains which specialization to increase surface area?
- Cilia
- Microvilli (brush border)
- Keratinization
- Basement membrane folds only
Correct Answer: Microvilli (brush border)
Q43. Which cell junction links actin cytoskeletons between adjacent cells?
- Desmosome
- Tight junction
- Adherens junction (zonula adherens)
- Hemidesmosome
Correct Answer: Adherens junction (zonula adherens)
Q44. Which tissue is primarily responsible for impulse conduction and information processing?
- Muscle tissue
- Nervous tissue
- Connective tissue
- Epithelial tissue
Correct Answer: Nervous tissue
Q45. Which type of epithelial transport involves vesicular uptake at the apical surface and release at the basal surface?
- Paracellular transport
- Transcytosis
- Simple diffusion
- Active ion pumping only
Correct Answer: Transcytosis
Q46. The major cell type in cartilage that maintains the matrix is called:
- Fibroblast
- Chondrocyte
- Osteocyte
- Myocyte
Correct Answer: Chondrocyte
Q47. In histology, which tissue would show lacunae containing cells?
- Blood
- Cartilage and bone
- Skeletal muscle exclusively
- Simple squamous epithelium
Correct Answer: Cartilage and bone
Q48. Which cell type serves as antigen-presenting cells in the epidermis?
- Melanocytes
- Langerhans cells
- Keratinocytes only
- Merkel cells
Correct Answer: Langerhans cells
Q49. Which extracellular matrix enzyme is key for collagen cross-linking and stabilization?
- Lysyl oxidase
- Collagenase only
- Hyaluronidase
- Telomerase
Correct Answer: Lysyl oxidase
Q50. In tissue repair, granulation tissue is characterized by:
- Dense mature collagen with few vessels
- Proliferating fibroblasts, new capillaries and loose ECM
- Complete restoration of original architecture immediately
- Only necrotic debris without cellular infiltration
Correct Answer: Proliferating fibroblasts, new capillaries and loose ECM
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