Cellular adaptation characterized by a decrease in cell size due to reduced protein synthesis and increased autophagy in a starvation state is called:
- A Hypoplasia
- B Atrophy ✓
- C Aplasia
- D Involution
Correct answer: B. Atrophy
Explanation
Atrophy is a reversible decrease in cell size involving the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway for protein degradation and autophagy for organelle removal. Starvation-induced atrophy reduces cell mass to match diminished nutritional supply while maintaining cell viability. Hypoplasia refers to fewer cells (reduced cell number); aplasia is absence of cell production; involution is physiological reduction in organ size (e.g., thymus or uterus postpartum) which overlaps with atrophy but implies a programmed physiologic event.
Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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