Histology Practice Test 1
Histology NCLEX Practice Test
Histology, within the NCLEX test plan under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations, reflects the core knowledge domains and conceptual competencies directly related to what the exam evaluates. The targeted number of questions is 50; designed with realistic clinical scenarios and conceptual variety to help you identify both your strengths and improvement areas.
This test is the 1st part of the Histology section. To explore all practice tests under this topic, use the “Back to Main Topic” button at the end of the page.
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In the Histology Study Cards section, shared by real NCLEX candidates, you’ll find concise summaries and high-yield insights related to the most tested concepts. It’s a perfect space to reinforce challenging topics and sharpen your recall through quick, focused repetitions. Short, powerful, and repeatable!
Histology Practice Test 1
Blood is a ___?
- Cell tissue
- Acid
- Cell
- Connective tissue
Explanation: Answer reason: Blood is classified as a connective tissue, because it originates from mesenchyme and contains cells suspended in an extracellular matrix (plasma). Its structure and function align with histological criteria for connective tissues.
In which microscopic structures of an onion cell would you find proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids?
- Proteins in ribosomes, carbohydrates in cell wall, lipids in cell membrane, nucleic acids in nucleus
- Proteins in cell wall, carbohydrates in nucleus, lipids in ribosomes, nucleic acids in cytoplasm
- Proteins in nucleus, carbohydrates in cell membrane, lipids in cell wall, nucleic acids in ribosomes
- Proteins in cytoplasm, carbohydrates in ribosomes, lipids in nucleus, nucleic acids in cell membrane
Explanation: Answer reason:Onion cells store proteins mainly in ribosomes (site of protein synthesis), carbohydrates in the cell wall (cellulose and related polysaccharides), lipids in the cell membrane (phospholipid bilayer), and nucleic acids in the nucleus (DNA and RNA). This distribution matches the structural and functional organization of plant cells.
Elastin are proteins of?
- Epithelial tissue
- Connective tissue
- Muscles
- Nervous tissue
Explanation: Answer reason: Elastin is an extracellular matrix protein forming elastic fibers, a hallmark of connective tissues (e.g., skin, lungs, arteries), not epithelial, muscle, or nervous tissues.
The basic cells of cartilage are?
- Chondrocytes
- Osteocytes
- Osteoclast
- Mast cells
- Trabeculae
Explanation: Answer reason: Cartilage tissue is composed of chondrocytes housed in lacunae. Osteocytes and osteoclasts are bone cells; mast cells are immune cells; trabeculae are bone structures, not cells.
What is the most abundant form of cartilage that has a perichondrium membrane associated with a synovial joint?
- Fibrocartilage
- Elastic cartilage
- Hyaline cartilage
- Costal cartilage
- Meniscus
Explanation: Answer reason: Hyaline cartilage is the most abundant cartilage in the body and forms the articular cartilage of synovial joints. It generally has a perichondrium (except at articular surfaces). Fibrocartilage lacks a perichondrium; elastic cartilage is not the most abundant; costal cartilage is a specific example of hyaline cartilage; the meniscus is fibrocartilage.
What structure controls cell activity?
- Membrane
- Nucleus
- Cytoplasm
- Lysosome
Explanation: Answer reason: The nucleus contains DNA and directs gene expression and regulation, thereby controlling overall cellular activities. The membrane regulates transport, the cytoplasm houses reactions, and lysosomes perform digestion.
What do goblet cells secrete?
- Enzymes
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
- Mucus
- Bile
Explanation: Answer reason: Goblet cells are specialized epithelial cells in the respiratory and gastrointestinal mucosa that secrete mucus. HCl is produced by gastric parietal cells, bile by hepatocytes and the gallbladder, and digestive enzymes by other cells (e.g., chief cells and the pancreas).
The specimens are obtained from human and animal bodies, fixed in special chemicals, embedded in appropriate material, and cut into thin slices known as?
- Microscopic anatomy
- Macroscopic anatomy
- Cytology
- Histology
- Developmental anatomy
Explanation: Answer reason: Fixing, embedding, and cutting tissues into thin sections for microscopic study is called histology.
Simple squamous epithelium is present in all of the following except?
- Heart
- Blood vessels
- Skin
- alveoli
Explanation: Answer reason: Simple squamous epithelium lines blood vessels (endothelium), the heart (endocardium), and the alveoli. The skin surface is stratified squamous keratinized epithelium, not simple.
Ligaments and tendons are the?
- Elastic connective tissue
- Areolar connective tissue
- Fibrous connective tissue
- Adipose connective tissue
Explanation: Answer reason: Ligaments and tendons are composed of dense, regular fibrous connective tissue rich in parallel collagen fibers, providing strong tensile strength.
The basic cells of cartilage are?
- Chondrocytes
- Osteocytes
- Osteoclast
- Mast cells
Explanation: Answer reason: Chondrocytes are the primary cells of cartilage. Osteocytes and osteoclasts are bone cells; mast cells are immune cells, and trabeculae are bone structures, not cells.
The trachea is lined internally with?
- Ciliated columnar epithelium
- Stratified columnar epithelium
- Simple columnar
- Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Explanation: Answer reason: The respiratory mucosa of the trachea is pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells that provides mucociliary clearance.
The human body consists of ________ types of tissues?
- Three types
- Four types
- Five types
- Two types
Explanation: Answer reason: The human body is composed of four primary tissue types—epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue—each serving distinct structural and functional roles in organ systems.
Peg cells are seen in?
- Intestine
- Stomach
- Fallopian tubes
- Vagina
Explanation: Answer reason: Peg cells are non-ciliated secretory cells of the oviduct (uterine/Fallopian tube) epithelium.
Where is excess fat in the body stored?
- Adipose tissue
- Acrosome
- Connective tissue
- Bone marrow
Explanation: Answer reason: Excess energy is stored as triglycerides in adipocytes, which make up adipose tissue. The acrosome is a sperm structure; connective tissue is broad, and bone marrow (yellow marrow) contains some fat but is not the primary storage site.
What is the most abundant tissue type in the human body?
- Epithelial
- Connective
- Muscle
- Nervous
Explanation: Answer reason: Connective tissue is the most abundant and widely distributed tissue type in the human body.
Animal and plant cells are distinguished by which of the following features?
- Nucleus
- Cell wall
- Mitochondrion
- Golgi apparatus
Explanation: Answer reason: Plant cells possess a rigid cell wall, which animal cells lack; the nucleus, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus are present in both.
Which epithelial tissue lines the urinary bladder?
- Connective
- Columnar
- Stratified
- Transitional
Explanation: Answer reason: The urinary bladder is lined by transitional epithelium (urothelium), specialized to stretch and resist urine’s toxicity.
Blood vessels, nerve endings, and lymphatic vessels are laying in the?
- Mucosa
- Submucosa
- Serosa
- Muscularis
Explanation: Answer reason: In the GI tract wall, the submucosa contains blood and lymphatic vessels and the submucosal nerve plexus (Meissner); mucosa is epithelial/lamina propria, muscularis is smooth muscle layers, and serosa is the outer covering.
Basic Cells of cartilage are?
- Chondrocytes
- Osteocytes
- Osteoclast
- Mast cells
Explanation: Answer reason: Chondrocytes are the primary cells of cartilage that maintain the cartilaginous matrix; osteocytes and osteoclasts are bone cells, mast cells are immune, and trabeculae are bony structures.
What are the two main types of ribosomes found in living things?
- Free ribosomes and bound ribosomes
- Large ribosomes and small ribosomes
- Prokaryotic ribosomes and eukaryotic ribosomes
- Cytoplasmic ribosomes and mitochondrial ribosomes
Explanation: Answer reason: Ribosomes in cells occur either free in the cytosol or bound to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Other options describe subunits or classifications by organism rather than the two functional types within cells.
The epithelial tissue which is found in the uterine tubes is?
- Squamous
- Ciliated
- Columnar
- Simple
Explanation: Answer reason: Uterine (fallopian) tubes are lined by simple columnar epithelium with cilia that help move the ovum; the most defining feature is that it is ciliated.
Which layer is responsible for the separation of the placenta after delivery?
- Superficial compact layer
- Intermediate spongy layer
- Thin basal layer
- Decidua basalis
Explanation: Answer reason: Placental separation occurs along the stratum spongiosum (intermediate spongy layer) of the decidua; the basal layer remains for endometrial regeneration.
What is the powerhouse of the cell?
- Ribosome
- Mitochondria
- Golgi apparatus
- Nucleus
Explanation: Answer reason: Mitochondria generate most of the cell’s ATP via oxidative phosphorylation, earning the nickname powerhouse of the cell.
The synthesized proteins are packed into vesicles by?
- Lysosomes
- Golgi bodies
- Endoplasmic reticulum
- Mitochondria
Explanation: Answer reason: The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages synthesized proteins into transport vesicles for secretion or delivery to organelles.
Gap junctions or intercalated discs are the characteristics of?
- Skeletal muscles
- Smooth muscles
- Cardiac muscles
- Neurons
Explanation: Answer reason: Intercalated discs with gap junctions are a defining histologic feature of cardiac muscle cells, enabling electrical coupling and synchronized contraction.
The following are major types of body tissue, except?
- Epithelial tissue
- Connective tissue
- Lymphatic tissue
- Nervous tissue
Explanation: Answer reason: The four primary tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous. Lymphatic tissue is not a major tissue category; it is part of the lymphatic/immune system composed mainly of connective and immune cells.
Which tissues store fat for energy?
- Connective tissues
- Epithelium tissue
- Subcutaneous Tissue
- Adipose tissues
Explanation: Answer reason: Adipose tissue is specialized connective tissue that stores triglycerides, serving as the body’s primary energy reserve.
The matrix of bone is impregnated with whose salt which imparts hardness and rigidity to the tissue is?
- Calcium
- Phosphate
- Magnesium
- Fibers
- All of above
Explanation: Answer reason: Bone hardness and rigidity come from mineral salts deposited in the matrix—chiefly calcium and phosphate (hydroxyapatite) and other salts including magnesium—laid onto collagen fibers; thus all listed components are involved.
Most abundant form of cartilage having perichondrium membrane associated with synovial joint is?
- Costal cartilage
- Elastic cartilage
- Fibro cartilage
- Hyaline cartilage
- Meniscus
Explanation: Answer reason: Hyaline cartilage is the most abundant type and forms the articular cartilage of synovial joints; it typically has a perichondrium (except at articular surfaces), making it the best match.
Mucosa of the stomach consist of chief cells, parietal cells, goblet cell and?
- Simple cuboidal epithelium
- Simple squamous epithelium
- Simple columnar epithelium
- Simple stratified epithelium
Explanation: Answer reason: The gastric mucosa is lined by simple columnar epithelium of mucous cells with glands containing chief and parietal cells.
Most abundant form of cartilage having perichondrium membrane associated with synovial joint is?
- Fibro cartilage
- Elastic cartilage
- Hyaline cartilage
- Costal cartilage
- Meniscus
Explanation: Answer reason: Hyaline cartilage is the most abundant cartilage type and forms the articular cartilage of synovial joints. Hyaline cartilage typically has a perichondrium (except at articular surfaces), whereas fibrocartilage lacks perichondrium and elastic cartilage is not associated with synovial joints.
The specimens are obtained from human and animal bodies fixed in special chemicals embedded in appropriate material cut into thin slices known as?
- Macroscopic anatomy
- Microscopic anatomy
- Histology
- Developmental anatomy
- Both b and c
Explanation: Answer reason: Fixing, embedding, and cutting specimens into thin sections for microscopic study describes histological preparation, which is the study of tissues under the microscope; histology is a branch of microscopic anatomy. Hence both b and c are correct.
What type of tissue forms the pinna of the ear?
- Bones
- Hyaline cartilage
- Elastic cartilage
- None
Explanation: Answer reason: The auricle (pinna) is composed of elastic cartilage, which provides flexibility and resilience; hyaline cartilage and bone do not form the pinna.
Which of the following cell organelles is composed of ribosomal RNA and proteins?
- Nucleus
- Lysosome
- Golgi apparatus
- Ribosome
Explanation: Answer reason: Ribosomes consist of rRNA and proteins forming small and large subunits; other listed organelles are not composed primarily of rRNA-protein complexes.
Which part of the liver stores Vitamin A?
- Ito cells
- Hepatocyte
- Kupffer cells
- Endothelial cells
Explanation: Answer reason: Vitamin A is stored in hepatic stellate (Ito) cells within the space of Disse. Hepatocytes primarily handle metabolism and glycogen storage; Kupffer cells are macrophages; endothelial cells line sinusoids.
Which of the following is the smallest cell present in the human body?
- Red blood cell
- Brain cell
- Egg cell
Explanation: Answer reason: Among the listed options, the red blood cell (~7–8 µm) is smaller than neurons and much smaller than the human ovum, which is the largest cell.
What is blood?
- Organ
- Tissue
- Water
- Gland
Explanation: Answer reason: Blood is a specialized fluid connective tissue.
Which component is present in plant cells but absent in animal cells?
- Cell membrane
- Cytoplasm
- Nucleus
- Cellulose
Explanation: Answer reason: Plant cell walls are composed of cellulose, which animal cells lack; animals have no cellulose-based cell walls.
What is the structural and functional unit of the liver?
- Duct
- Cystic
- Hepatocyte
- Hepatic lobules
- Kupffer cells
Explanation: Answer reason: The liver is organized into hexagonal hepatic lobules composed of hepatocyte plates around a central vein; these lobules are considered the structural and functional units. Hepatocytes and Kupffer cells are individual cell types, not the unit.
Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis in the cell?
- Golgi apparatus
- Endoplasmic reticulum
- Mitochondria
- Ribosomes
Explanation: Answer reason: Ribosomes are the cellular structures that translate mRNA into polypeptides, making them the primary site of protein synthesis. Golgi modifies/packages proteins, ER provides a membrane surface and transport, and mitochondria generate ATP.
The heart is made up of which type of muscle?
- Cardiac muscle
- Smooth muscle
- Pennate muscle
- None of these
Explanation: Answer reason: The myocardium of the heart is composed of specialized involuntary striated cardiac muscle; smooth and pennate describe other muscle types.
Blood is a type of which tissue?
- Muscular tissue
- Connective tissue
- Cardiac tissue
Explanation: Answer reason: Blood is a specialized connective tissue with cells (formed elements) suspended in a nonliving matrix (plasma) and derived from mesenchyme.
What is the study of tissue called?
- Cytology
- Histology
- Oncology
- Hematology
Explanation: Answer reason: Histology is the study of tissues; cytology studies cells, oncology deals with cancer, and hematology is the study of blood.
What does cytoplasm refer to in a cell?
- Contents of the cell excluding the nucleus
- Contents of the cell including the nucleus
- Nucleus of the cell
- Nucleus and cytosol of the cell
Explanation: Answer reason: Cytoplasm is everything within the cell membrane but outside the nucleus, including cytosol and organelles; therefore it excludes the nucleus.
Which of the following is an example of tissue?
- Liver
- Brain
- Blood
- Stomach
Explanation: Answer reason: Liver, brain, and stomach are organs; blood is a connective tissue, so it is the example of a tissue.
What is the name of the macrophage found in the liver?
- Littoral cell
- Langerhans cell
- Kupffer cell
- Glial cell
Explanation: Answer reason: Kupffer cells are the resident macrophages of the hepatic sinusoids. Langerhans cells are skin dendritic cells, littoral cells are in the spleen, and glial cells are CNS support cells.
Epithelia whose cells are arranged into a single layer of cells is classified as simple, whereas multiple layer epithelia are classified as?
- Keratinized epithelium
- Stratified epithelium
- Squamous epithelium
- Non keratinize epithelium
Explanation: Answer reason: Epithelia are classified by layers: single layer is simple; multiple layers are stratified. The other options refer to keratinization or cell shape, not number of layers.
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