A 65-year-old male with a 25-year history of smoking is examined for respiratory disturbance. Examination of his airway (bronchial) reveals that stratified squamous epithelial cells have replaced the normal columnar ciliated cells. This type of cellular adaptation is called:

A. increased interstitial fluid: Increased interstitial fluid (edema) causes swelling (tumour) rather than the warmth and redness of inflammation.
B. production of complement: Complement proteins contribute to inflammation (opsonization, cell lysis) but are not the direct cause of the warmth/redness.
C. white blood cells in area: Leukocyte accumulation contributes to pain and loss of function but is not the main cause of the heat and redness.
D. increased blood flow: Vasodilation of arterioles increases blood flow to the injured area, producing the local warmth (calor) and redness (rubor).

A. Formation of granulomas: Granuloma formation is a feature of chronic inflammation (organized collection of macrophages), not a routine step in the acute inflammatory response. (Not a step.)
B. Release of histamine: Histamine release (from mast cells, basophils) is an early mediator in acute inflammation causing vasodilation and increased permeability.
C. Arteriole dilation: Arteriolar (and precapillary) dilation is a vascular change in acute inflammation that increases blood flow (redness, heat).
D. Increase blood flow: Increased blood flow (hyperemia) is a hallmark vascular feature of acute inflammation producing warmth and redness.
E. Phagocytosis: Phagocytosis by neutrophils and macrophages is a key cellular event in acute inflammation to remove microbes/debris.