Final answer:
A change in the structure of skin tissue is known as a lesion, which is the correct answer to the student's question. Lesions can take various forms including cysts, pustules, and ulcers, and can be caused by a range of factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
A change in the structure of the skin tissue is called a lesion. Lesions are parts of the skin that have an abnormal growth or appearance compared to the skin around them. They can arise from a variety of causes including infections, inflammation, diseases, and trauma. Examples of different types of skin lesions include cysts, which are sac-like pockets of membranous tissue that contain fluid, air, or other substances; pustules, which are small inflamed elevations of skin that are pus-filled; and ulcers, which are open sores on the skin or mucous membranes. In the case of tuberculoid leprosy mentioned, the causing microorganism found in a skin biopsy would be Mycobacterium leprae.
In the options provided for the student's question:
- a. cyst
- b. lesion
- c. wheal
- d. macule
The correct answer is b. lesion.