FMGE 2025 Practice Questions

Q: What is the type of cartilage present in the histology section given below?

Hyaline cartilage. ***Hyaline cartilage*** - The image displays a **homogenous, glassy matrix** with **chondrocytes** residing in spaces called **lacunae**. This appearance is due to the presence of fine **Type II collagen** fibrils that are not visible with a standard light microscope. - A **perichondrium**, the layer of dense connective tissue seen on the left, is typically present and provides nourishment. This type of cartilage is found in the **trachea**, **larynx**, and **articular surfaces of bones**. *Elastic cartilage* - This cartilage is characterized by a matrix containing abundant **elastic fibers**, which would appear as dark, branching lines, giving it a less homogenous look. These fibers are not visible in the provided slide. - It is found in structures that require flexibility and the ability to recoil, such as the **epiglottis** and the **external ear** (pinna). *Articular cartilage* - While histologically a type of hyaline cartilage, articular cartilage specifically covers the ends of bones in **synovial joints** and is distinguished by its **lack of a perichondrium**. - The image clearly shows a perichondrium on the left side, making it more likely to be hyaline cartilage from a location like the respiratory tract rather than a joint surface. *Fibrocartilage* - Fibrocartilage has a distinct, fibrous appearance due to thick, parallel bundles of **Type I collagen** within its matrix, which is absent in this image. - It is a transitional tissue between dense connective tissue and hyaline cartilage, found in areas requiring great tensile strength, like the **intervertebral discs** and **pubic symphysis**.

Q: Which of the following is excreted in the urine of patients with pentosuria?

L-Xylulose. ***L-Xylulose***- Pentosuria is a benign, autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme **L-xylulose reductase** (or xylitol dehydrogenase), which is part of the **glucuronic acid pathway (GAA)**.- This deficiency prevents the conversion of **L-xylulose** (a pentose intermediate) to xylitol, leading to the accumulation and subsequent excretion of L-xylulose in the urine.*D-Ribose*- D-Ribose is an **aldopentose** sugar crucial for forming the backbone of **RNA**, **ATP**, and various coenzymes (e.g., NAD, FAD).- Its metabolism is primarily handled by the **pentose phosphate pathway**; its excretion is not the hallmark of the enzyme deficiency in pentosuria.*D-Ribulose*- D-Ribulose is a **ketopentose** that plays a key role as an intermediate in the **pentose phosphate pathway** (PPP), specifically forming xylulose 5-phosphate.- Although it is a pentose, its accumulation and excretion are not characteristic findings of the defective **L-xylulose reductase** enzyme in pentosuria.*D-Lactose*- D-Lactose is a **disaccharide** composed of glucose and galactose, derived from milk, and is not a pentose sugar.- Lactosuria (lactose excretion) is typically related to high dietary intake or severe disorders affecting **lactose metabolism** or hepatic function, which is unrelated to the biochemical defect causing pentosuria.

Q: A case of death of a married female within 3 years of marriage was reported. Inquest is done by?

Magistrate. ***Magistrate*** - According to **Section 176 of the CrPC**, an inquest by a **Judicial or Executive Magistrate** is mandatory in cases where a woman dies within **seven years** of marriage under suspicious circumstances, including potential dowry death or cruelty. - The death of a married female within 3 years falls under this mandatory period, requiring a **Magisterial Inquest** to ensure a thorough, unbiased investigation into the cause, especially regarding **dowry harassment**. *Incorrect: Judicial* - While a **Judicial Magistrate** can conduct the inquest under CrPC Section 176, the term is too specific, as often an **Executive Magistrate** is appointed for this role, making 'Magistrate' the more comprehensive correct answer. - The primary distinguishing feature is the mandatory involvement of either **Executive or Judicial Magistrate** to oversee the investigation. *Incorrect: Police* - A Police Inquest (under **CrPC Section 174**) is generally the default for unnatural deaths, but it is **not sufficient** alone for deaths occurring within seven years of marriage due to the high suspicion of cruelty or dowry demand. - The police conduct the initial collection of evidence, but the crucial formal investigation in these specific cases is mandated to be supervised or conducted by a **Magistrate**. *Incorrect: Coroner* - The **Coroner system** is largely historic or limited to only a few metropolitan areas (like Mumbai and Kolkata) in India; it is not the universally mandated authority for inquests under Indian law. - The legal framework covering suspicious deaths of married women requires investigation by the **Police** (Section 174) and subsequent, mandatory inquest by the **Magistrate** (Section 176).

Q: A forensic expert received a summons from the district court to record his evidence in a criminal case, but two days prior, he already received a summons for a civil case in the same district court for the same date. What should the doctor do?

Attend the court for the criminal case.. ***Attend the court for the criminal case.***- In India, under the law of evidence and procedure, **criminal cases** are always given priority over **civil cases** when there are conflicting summons for the same date, even if the civil summons was received earlier.- The expert must attend the criminal proceedings and inform the civil court immediately in writing regarding the conflict and the legally mandated priority of the **criminal summons**.*Inform both courts and wait.*- Simply notifying both courts without making a decision on attendance is insufficient and represents a failure to comply with the legal obligation to prioritize the more serious case (**criminal proceeding**).- This action risks being held in **contempt of court** or attracting fines, as the expert is legally required to attend the proceeding of higher precedence.*Attend the court for which the summons came first.*- Priority in attending court is determined by the **nature of the case** (criminal taking precedence over civil), not by the **chronology** (the date the summons was received).- A criminal case deals with matters of public interest and potential loss of liberty, giving it inherent precedence over a civil dispute.*Do not attend either court.*- Failing to attend court after being served a legitimate summons (subpoena) constitutes professional misconduct and **contempt of court**.- The expert must prioritize and attend one court, usually the **criminal trial**, and seek valid authorization or exemption from the other.

Q: A person got stabbed in his anterior thigh and died. His body was brought for postmortem. What type of injury is this?

Penetrating wound. ***Penetrating wound***- This classification is used when a weapon or object, such as a knife, enters the body and involves tissues deep beneath the skin, with the depth significantly greater than the surface area. The injury is classified as **penetrating** because the weapon entered the body (likely compromising major structures like the **femoral vessels** in the thigh, leading to death) but did not exit the other side.*Incised wound*- An *incised wound* is typically a clean cut or slicing injury caused by a sharp edge where the **length of the wound usually exceeds its depth** and severity. These wounds are typically superficial, unlike a fatal stab that enters deep structures.*Puncture wound*- A *puncture wound* is caused by a pointed object (e.g., a nail or needle) and is characterized by a small entrance hole with depth, but the term **penetrating** is the more definitive classification for a severe stab wound caused by a weapon that enters deep structures or a body cavity.*Blunt force injury*- *Blunt force injuries* result from trauma caused by objects with a non-sharp surface (e.g., a bat, fist, or car bumper), leading to injuries such as **contusions, abrasions, or lacerations**, which is inconsistent with a sharp 'stab' injury.

Q: A villager was assaulted by 4-5 people & brought to hospital in serious condition. His dying declaration needs to be recorded in hospital. Who is the MOST PREFERRED authority to record this declaration?

Magistrate. ***Magistrate*** - Under Section 32(1) of the Indian Evidence Act, a **Judicial Magistrate** is the **most preferred authority** to record a dying declaration to ensure impartiality and high evidential value in court. - The magistrate's recording carries the highest legal weight as it prevents future scrutiny regarding coercion, fabrication, or undue influence. - This is the gold standard for dying declarations in Indian medico-legal practice. *Doctor* - A doctor can record a dying declaration when a magistrate is unavailable, but this is a **secondary option**. - The doctor's primary role is certifying the patient's **mental competence** and **fitness** to make the declaration, both before and after recording. - While legally valid, doctor-recorded declarations may face more scrutiny in court compared to magistrate-recorded ones. *Police officer* - A police officer can record a dying declaration when neither a magistrate nor doctor is available, making it a **tertiary option**. - Police-recorded declarations often face the most scrutiny in court due to concerns about potential bias or influence. - The investigating officer should ideally avoid recording to maintain investigation integrity. *Hospital administration* - Hospital administration has **no legal authority** to record dying declarations. - Administrative staff lack the legal standing and training required for this medico-legal procedure. - Only magistrates, doctors, or police officers are recognized authorities under Indian law.

Q: What type of fracture is caused by a hammer?

Depressed. ***Depressed*** - This type of fracture is caused by a direct blow from a weapon with a small surface area, such as a **hammer** or a stone, concentrating the force in a localized area. - It is characterized by the inward displacement of a segment of the skull bone, which can potentially compress or lacerate the underlying **dura mater** and **brain tissue**. *Linear* - A **linear fracture** is a simple break in the bone that runs in a relatively straight line, without any displacement of the bone fragments. - It is the most common type of skull fracture and typically results from low-energy **blunt force trauma** over a wide surface area, such as a fall or being hit with a flat object. *Hinge* - A **hinge fracture** is a type of **basilar skull fracture** that traverses the base of the skull, often separating the anterior and middle cranial fossae from the posterior fossa. - This severe injury is typically caused by a major impact to the side of the head or chin, leading to significant intracranial damage and a high mortality rate. *Ring* - A **ring fracture** is a specific basilar skull fracture where the bone around the **foramen magnum** is broken, often detaching it from the rest of the skull base. - It is usually caused by forces transmitted along the vertebral column to the skull, such as a fall from a height landing on the feet or a severe blow to the top of the head.

Q: The toughness of bacterial cell walls is due to:

Peptidoglycan. ***Peptidoglycan***- This unique polymer forms a robust, mesh-like structural layer (the **murein layer**) that encases the bacteria, providing essential mechanical strength and rigidity to the cell wall. Its strong cross-links allow it to withstand extremely high internal **osmotic pressure**, preventing the cell from bursting (lysis). *Teichoic acid* - These are polymers found exclusively in **Gram-positive** bacteria, anchored either to the peptidoglycan or the plasma membrane (lipoteichoic acid). - They contribute to the cell wall's overall integrity, and act as antigens, but are not the primary element responsible for the physical **toughness**. *Lipopolysaccharides* - LPS molecules make up the outer leaflet of the **outer membrane** in **Gram-negative** bacteria. - They function primarily as an **endotoxin** (lipid A component) and an O-antigen, contributing to virulence and permeability, not the mechanical load-bearing structure. *Outer membrane* - This membrane is characteristic of **Gram-negative** bacteria and acts as a protective, selective barrier (excluding certain antibiotics and chemicals). - While providing protective resistance, the intrinsic mechanical **toughness** preventing osmotic lysis is conferred by the underlying **peptidoglycan** layer.

Q: A group of students consumed fried rice in a restaurant. Six hours later, they start vomiting. What is the etiological agent?

Bacillus cereus. ***Bacillus cereus***- The short incubation period (1 to 6 hours) and the primary symptom being **vomiting** are highly characteristic of the **emetic-type** food poisoning caused by *B. cereus*. - The emetic form is typically associated with contaminated **cooked rice** (like fried rice) that has been improperly stored, allowing the bacteria to proliferate and produce the heat-stable toxin, **cereulide**. *Clostridium botulinum* - This bacterium causes **botulism**, a severe neuroparalytic syndrome (e.g., descending flaccid paralysis, diplopia), not typically an acute emetic gastroenteritis. - The incubation period for botulism is usually longer (12 to 36 hours), and it is most often linked to improperly canned or vacuum-packed foods. *Escherichia coli* - Diarrheagenic *E. coli* strains typically require a longer incubation period (usually 1 or more days) and cause symptoms dominated by **diarrhea** (either watery or bloody), with vomiting being a less prominent feature. - Common infectious sources are often fecally contaminated water or uncooked produce, rather than cooked and cooled rice. *Shigella dysentriae* - *S. dysentriae* causes **bacillary dysentery**, characterized by a longer incubation period (1 to 7 days) and symptoms including fever, severe abdominal cramping, and **bloody, mucoid stools** (dysentery). - While systemic symptoms might occur, the rapid onset of vomiting alone is not characteristic of Shigellosis.

Q: Which anti-tubercular drug is associated with mutations in the katG gene?

Isoniazid. ***Isoniazid*** - It is a **prodrug** that requires activation by the **catalase-peroxidase enzyme** complex, which is encoded by the **katG gene** in *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*. - Mutations or deletions in the **katG gene** are the most common cause of high-level Isoniazid resistance, preventing the drug from converting into its active form (isonicotinic acyl radical). *Rifampicin* - Resistance is predominantly caused by mutations in the **rpoB gene**, which encodes the **beta-subunit of RNA polymerase**. - Mutations in **rpoB** prevent Rifampicin from binding to the RNA polymerase, thereby inhibiting its primary mechanism of blocking transcription. *Moxifloxacin* - This drug belongs to the fluoroquinolone class and targets **DNA gyrase** (encoded by *gyrA* and *gyrB*) and **topoisomerase IV**. - Resistance is typically mediated by point mutations within the **Quinolone Resistance Determining Regions (QRDRs)** of these target genes. *Ethambutol* - Resistance to Ethambutol is most frequently associated with mutations in the **embB gene**. - The **embB gene** encodes the **arabinosyl transferase** enzyme, which is crucial for synthesizing the **arabinogalactan layer** of the mycobacterial cell wall.

Question 1

What is the type of cartilage present in the histology section given below?

Accepted Answer

Hyaline cartilage

Answer

Articular cartilage

Answer

Fibrocartilage

Answer

Elastic cartilage

Question 2

Which of the following is excreted in the urine of patients with pentosuria?

Accepted Answer

L-Xylulose

Answer

D-Lactose

Answer

D-Ribulose

Answer

D-Ribose

Question 3

A case of death of a married female within 3 years of marriage was reported. Inquest is done by?

Accepted Answer

Magistrate

Answer

Police

Answer

Judicial

Answer

Coroner

Question 4

A forensic expert received a summons from the district court to record his evidence in a criminal case, but two days prior, he already received a summons for a civil case in the same district court for the same date. What should the doctor do?

Accepted Answer

Attend the court for the criminal case.

Answer

Attend the court for which the summons came first.

Answer

Do not attend either court.

Answer

Inform both courts and wait.

Question 5

A person got stabbed in his anterior thigh and died. His body was brought for postmortem. What type of injury is this?

Accepted Answer

Penetrating wound

Answer

Incised wound

Answer

Blunt force injury

Answer

Puncture wound

Question 6

A villager was assaulted by 4-5 people & brought to hospital in serious condition. His dying declaration needs to be recorded in hospital. Who is the MOST PREFERRED authority to record this declaration?

Accepted Answer

Magistrate

Answer

Doctor

Answer

Hospital administration

Answer

Police officer

Question 7

What type of fracture is caused by a hammer?

Accepted Answer

Depressed

Answer

Hinge

Answer

Linear

Answer

Ring

Question 8

The toughness of bacterial cell walls is due to:

Accepted Answer

Peptidoglycan

Answer

Teichoic acid

Answer

Lipopolysaccharides

Answer

Outer membrane

Question 9

A group of students consumed fried rice in a restaurant. Six hours later, they start vomiting. What is the etiological agent?

Accepted Answer

Bacillus cereus

Answer

Clostridium botulinum

Answer

Shigella dysentriae

Answer

Escherichia coli

Question 10

Which anti-tubercular drug is associated with mutations in the katG gene?

Accepted Answer

Isoniazid

Answer

Moxifloxacin

Answer

Ethambutol

Answer

Rifampicin

FMGE 2025

Anatomy

Biochemistry

Forensic Medicine

Microbiology

Pharmacology