What does hyperplasia involve?

Hyperplasia specifically refers to the increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, leading to its enlargement. This process occurs while maintaining a normal tissue architecture, which is an important characteristic of hyperplasia. It often results as a response to a specific stimulus, such as hormonal signals or tissue repair after injury.

The correct choice highlights that excessive cell proliferation occurs without disrupting the usual arrangement of the cells. This distinguishes hyperplasia from conditions like hypertrophy, where the individual cells increase in size rather than in number. Hyperplasia can be physiological, such as in the breast tissue during pregnancy, or pathological, seen in conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia.

In contrast, choices that mention an increase in cell size or abnormal tissue development do not accurately describe hyperplasia, as they point to different biological processes. Similarly, decreased numbers of cells contradict the fundamental nature of hyperplasia, which is characterized by an increase in cell count.