Which term describes tissue death within an organ caused by blockage of blood flow and oxygen?

Which term describes tissue death within an organ caused by blockage of blood flow and oxygen?

• A. Necrosis
• B. Infarction
• C. Ischemia
• D. Apoptosis

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that this describes tissue death within an organ caused by a blocked blood supply. Infarction is the term for localized tissue necrosis resulting from ischemia due to obstruction of blood flow and oxygen delivery. It captures both the cause (blocked circulation) and the effect (tissue death) within an organ, which is why it’s the best fit. It’s helpful to keep the distinctions in mind: ischemia is the lack of blood flow itself, not yet necessarily causing death; necrosis is the general process of cell death that can result from many insults; apoptosis is programmed cell death that’s usually controlled and not tied specifically to a blocked blood supply.

The key idea is that this describes tissue death within an organ caused by a blocked blood supply. Infarction is the term for localized tissue necrosis resulting from ischemia due to obstruction of blood flow and oxygen delivery. It captures both the cause (blocked circulation) and the effect (tissue death) within an organ, which is why it’s the best fit.

It’s helpful to keep the distinctions in mind: ischemia is the lack of blood flow itself, not yet necessarily causing death; necrosis is the general process of cell death that can result from many insults; apoptosis is programmed cell death that’s usually controlled and not tied specifically to a blocked blood supply.