MCQs: Structure and Functions of Skin, Skin Disorders, Leprosy & Wound Healing. Suitable for B.Pharm University Exams, GPAT, NIPER, AIIMS Pharmacist, Railway Pharmacist, SSC, ESIC, and State Pharmacist Exams.

1. The outermost layer of the epidermis is:

A. Stratum basale
B. Stratum spinosum
C. Stratum granulosum
D. Stratum corneum

Answer: D. Stratum corneum

Explanation: The stratum corneum consists of dead keratinized cells and forms the primary protective barrier of the skin.

2. Which epidermal layer is absent in thin skin?

A. Stratum basale
B. Stratum lucidum
C. Stratum granulosum
D. Stratum spinosum

Answer: B. Stratum lucidum

Explanation: Stratum lucidum is present only in thick skin, such as palms and soles.

3. Melanin is produced by:

A. Keratinocytes
B. Fibroblasts
C. Melanocytes
D. Langerhans cells

Answer: C. Melanocytes

Explanation: Melanocytes located in the stratum basale synthesize melanin.

4. Which cells act as antigen-presenting cells in the epidermis?

A. Merkel cells
B. Melanocytes
C. Langerhans cells
D. Fibroblasts

Answer: C. Langerhans cells

Explanation: Langerhans cells are dendritic immune cells involved in antigen presentation.

5. Merkel cells are primarily associated with:

A. Pigmentation
B. Temperature regulation
C. Touch sensation
D. Sweat secretion

Answer: C. Touch sensation

Explanation: Merkel cells function as mechanoreceptors for light touch.

6. The major structural protein of the epidermis is:

A. Collagen
B. Elastin
C. Keratin
D. Reticulin

Answer: C. Keratin

7. Which gland is primarily responsible for thermoregulation?

A. Sebaceous gland
B. Ceruminous gland
C. Eccrine sweat gland
D. Mammary gland

Answer: C. Eccrine sweat gland

8. Sebaceous glands secrete:

A. Sweat
B. Sebum
C. Melanin
D. Keratin

Answer: B. Sebum

9. The dermis is mainly composed of:

A. Stratified squamous epithelium
B. Connective tissue rich in collagen and elastin
C. Adipose tissue only
D. Cartilage

Answer: B. Connective tissue rich in collagen and elastin

10. Which skin structure lacks blood vessels?

A. Dermis
B. Hypodermis
C. Epidermis
D. Hair follicle

Answer: C. Epidermis

11. The vitamin synthesized in the skin upon UV exposure is:

A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin B12
C. Vitamin D3
D. Vitamin K

Answer: C. Vitamin D3

12. Which layer of skin contains adipose tissue and acts as an energy reserve?

A. Epidermis
B. Papillary dermis
C. Reticular dermis
D. Hypodermis

Answer: D. Hypodermis

13. Psoriasis is primarily a:

A. Bacterial disease
B. Autoimmune inflammatory disorder
C. Fungal infection
D. Viral infection

Answer: B. Autoimmune inflammatory disorder

14. The hallmark lesion of psoriasis is:

A. Vesicles
B. Pustules
C. Silvery scaly plaques
D. Ulcers

Answer: C. Silvery scaly plaques

15. Psoriasis commonly affects:

A. Palms only
B. Extensor surfaces of elbows and knees
C. Face only
D. Oral cavity only

Answer: B. Extensor surfaces of elbows and knees

16. In psoriasis, epidermal turnover time is approximately:

A. 28 days
B. 14 days
C. 7 days
D. 3–5 days

Answer: D. 3–5 days

17. Which cytokine plays a major role in psoriasis?

A. Erythropoietin
B. TNF-α
C. Insulin
D. Renin

Answer: B. TNF-α

18. The Auspitz sign refers to:

A. Itching after sweating
B. Pinpoint bleeding on removal of scales
C. Nail pitting
D. Joint pain

Answer: B. Pinpoint bleeding on removal of scales

19. Dermatitis is characterized by:

A. Inflammation of the skin
B. Bone destruction
C. Liver inflammation
D. Muscle degeneration

Answer: A. Inflammation of the skin

20. Atopic dermatitis is commonly associated with:

A. Hypertension
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Allergic disorders
D. Tuberculosis

Answer: C. Allergic disorders

21. Contact dermatitis results from:

A. Genetic mutation only
B. Direct exposure to irritants or allergens
C. Viral infection
D. Nutritional deficiency only

Answer: B. Direct exposure to irritants or allergens

22. Which immunoglobulin is frequently elevated in atopic dermatitis?

A. IgA
B. IgD
C. IgE
D. IgM

Answer: C. IgE

23. The cardinal symptom of dermatitis is:

A. Hemorrhage
B. Pruritus (itching)
C. Jaundice
D. Paralysis

Answer: B. Pruritus

24. Leprosy is caused by:

A. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
B. Mycobacterium leprae
C. Staphylococcus aureus
D. Treponema pallidum

Answer: B. Mycobacterium leprae

25. The primary cells infected by Mycobacterium leprae are:

A. Hepatocytes
B. Osteocytes
C. Schwann cells
D. Chondrocytes

Answer: C. Schwann cells

26. Loss of sensation in leprosy occurs mainly due to damage of

A. Arteries
B. Sweat glands
C. Peripheral nerves
D. Hair follicles

Answer: C. Peripheral nerves

27. Which type of leprosy exhibits strong cell-mediated immunity?

A. Lepromatous leprosy
B. Tuberculoid leprosy
C. Borderline leprosy
D. Indeterminate leprosy

Answer: B. Tuberculoid leprosy

28. Which form of leprosy contains the highest bacterial load?

A. Tuberculoid leprosy
B. Borderline leprosy
C. Lepromatous leprosy
D. Neural leprosy

Answer: C. Lepromatous leprosy

29. The incubation period of leprosy is generally:

A. A few days
B. A few weeks
C. Several months to years
D. 24 hours

Answer: C. Several months to years

30. Characteristic skin lesions in leprosy are usually

A. Hyperesthetic patches
B. Hypopigmented anesthetic patches
C. Hemorrhagic lesions
D. Bullous eruptions

Answer: B. Hypopigmented anesthetic patches

31. The first phase of wound healing is

A. Remodeling
B. Proliferation
C. Hemostasis
D. Maturation

Answer: C. Hemostasis

32. Which cells predominate during the early inflammatory phase?

A. Fibroblasts
B. Neutrophils
C. Osteoclasts
D. Chondrocytes

Answer: B. Neutrophils

33. Collagen synthesis during wound healing is primarily carried out by:

A. Mast cells
B. Macrophages
C. Fibroblasts
D. Keratinocytes

Answer: C. Fibroblasts

34. Granulation tissue consists mainly of:

A. Bone and cartilage
B. Fibroblasts and new capillaries
C. Adipocytes only
D. Keratin only

Answer: B. Fibroblasts and new capillaries

35. The strongest collagen in mature scars is:

A. Type I collagen
B. Type II collagen
C. Type III collagen
D. Type IV collagen

Answer: A. Type I collagen

36. Which vitamin deficiency significantly delays wound healing?

A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin D
D. Vitamin K

Answer: B. Vitamin C

37. A wound closed immediately after injury heals by

A. Secondary intention
B. Delayed intention
C. Primary intention
D. Tertiary intention

Answer: C. Primary intention

38. Healing by secondary intention is characterized by:

A. Minimal scar formation
B. No granulation tissue
C. Large scar and wound contraction
D. Immediate epithelialization

Answer: C. Large scar and wound contraction

39. Which growth factor is particularly important for angiogenesis in wound healing?

A. VEGF
B. Insulin
C. Gastrin
D. Thyroxine

Answer: A. VEGF

40. Excessive collagen deposition during wound healing may result in:

A. Ulceration
B. Keloid formation
C. Gangrene
D. Melanoma

Answer: B. Keloid formation

41. Assertion (A): Psoriasis is associated with accelerated epidermal cell turnover.

Reason (R): Keratinocytes require approximately 30 days to reach the skin surface in psoriasis.

A. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
B. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
C. A is true, but R is false
D. A is false, but R is true

Answer: C

Explanation: In psoriasis, keratinocytes reach the surface in about 3–5 days, not 30 days.

42. Assertion (A): Leprosy causes peripheral neuropathy.

Reason (R): Mycobacterium leprae has a predilection for Schwann cells.

A. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
B. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
C. A is true, but R is false
D. A is false, but R is true

Answer: A

43. Assertion (A): Vitamin C deficiency impairs wound healing.

Reason (R): Vitamin C is required for collagen synthesis.

A. Both A and R are true, and R explains A
B. Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
C. A is true, but R is false
D. A is false, but R is true

Answer: A

44. Which epidermal layer is primarily responsible for the continuous regeneration of the epidermis?

A. Stratum corneum
B. Stratum lucidum
C. Stratum basale
D. Stratum granulosum

Answer: C. Stratum basale

45. In wound healing, macrophages are important because they:

A. Produce insulin
B. Remove debris and release growth factors
C. Synthesize melanin
D. Produce keratin

Answer: B. Remove debris and release growth factors

46. The Koebner phenomenon is classically associated with:

A. Leprosy
B. Dermatitis
C. Psoriasis
D. Vitiligo only

Answer: C. Psoriasis

47. Which collagen predominates in early granulation tissue?

A. Type I
B. Type II
C. Type III
D. Type IV

Answer: C. Type III

48. Sensory loss in leprosy most commonly affects:

A. Vision first
B. Pain and temperature sensation
C. Hearing only
D. Taste sensation

Answer: B. Pain and temperature sensation

49. The primary barrier function of skin is mainly due to:

A. Dermis
B. Hypodermis
C. Stratum corneum
D. Hair follicles

Answer: C. Stratum corneum

50. Which of the following conditions is NOT primarily autoimmune?

A. Psoriasis
B. Atopic dermatitis
C. Leprosy
D. Rheumatoid arthritis

Answer: C. Leprosy

Exam Tips

• Stratum lucidum: present only in thick skin.

• Langerhans cells: antigen-presenting cells.

• Merkel cells: touch receptors.

• Psoriasis: TNF-α mediated, Auspitz sign, and Koebner phenomenon.

• Atopic dermatitis: increased IgE, severe itching.

• Leprosy: Mycobacterium leprae, Schwann cell invasion, peripheral neuropathy.

• Wound healing sequence: Hemostasis → Inflammation → Proliferation → Remodeling.

• Early collagen = Type III; Mature scar collagen = Type I.

• Vitamin C deficiency delays wound healing due to defective collagen synthesis.

Dr Alok Singh