Start Learning Free

Before You Begin

Question #46854

Difficulty: 8/10 | 🟢 Free

The Question

In a patient suffering from chronic allergic inflammation, a biopsy of the areolar connective tissue reveals significant edema and localized degradation of collagen and elastin fibers. Which of the following accurately describes the mechanism linking the resident cells of this tissue to the observed pathology?

Options

  • A.

    Mast cells undergo IgE-mediated degranulation, releasing histamine which increases vascular permeability, and proteases which degrade the extracellular matrix.

  • B.

    Fibroblasts are stimulated by IgE to release histamine for vasodilation and secrete collagenase to remodel the connective tissue matrix.

  • C.

    Macrophages phagocytose the allergen and release serotonin to induce edema, while directly degrading the elastin fibers via lysosomal enzymes.

  • D.

    Histamine released by mast cells directly cleaves the peptide bonds of collagen fibers, while simultaneously increasing capillary permeability to cause edema.

Check Your Answer

Correct Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Explanation

How the Examiner Thinks

Regulatory_Failure

Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.

Concepts Behind This Question

Areolar_Connective_Tissue|Histamine|Collagenase_Release

Why This Question Is Tricky

Common Mistakes

Conceptual Pivot: Integrating Class 11 Structural Organisation (Areolar tissue composition) with Class 12 Human Health (Allergy mechanism).

The trap lies in functional misattribution-students often memorize 'histamine causes allergy symptoms' but incorrectly assume histamine itself degrades the tissue (Option D), or they confuse the specific roles of resident areolar cells like fibroblasts and macrophages (Options B and C).

Quick Facts About This Question

Question Information

SubjectBiology
ChapterStructural Organisation in Animals - Class 11
ConceptConnective Tissue Fiber Composition
Difficulty8
Cognitive Load5
Target Solve Time120 sec
AccessFree