ILA Flashcards
What causes the upstroke in the nerve action potential graph?
By sodium ions rushing into the cell
What causes the downstroke in the nerve action potential graph?
By potassium ions rushing out of the cell
Which group of spinal nerves innervates the biceps reflex?
C5/C6
Which group of spinal nerves innervates the ankle reflex?
S1/S2
Which group of spinal nerves innervates the knee jerk?
L3/L4
Which group of spinal nerves innervates the triceps reflex?
C7/C8
Name 4 cells which are present in the CNS
- Astrocytes
- Ependymal cells
- Microglia
- Oligodendrocytes
Which descending motor tract originates in the cerebral cortex and synapses in the spinal cord?
Corticospinal tract
Where does the spinothalamic tract decussate?
The spinal cord
What kind of fibres does the vagus nerve compromise of?
Parasympathetic motor and sensory fibres
What is the function of DNA helicase?
Unwind the two strands of DNA
Where do free RNA nucleotides form weak hydrogen bonds with a DNA strand during transcription?
The nucleus
What does RNA polymerase do?
Joins together the free RNA nucleotides by phosphodiester bonds
How does pre-mRNA become mRNA?
By splicing to remove introns
What does a spliceosome do?
Does splicing
What does topoisomerase do?
Uncoils the DNA
Where does translation happen?
In the cytoplasm
Briefly outline translation of mRNA
- mRNA binds to ribosome
- tRNA with AA complimentary binds to a codon of mRNA sequence
- The codon and anti-codon become bound loosely by hydrogen bonding
- Another tRNA binds, allowing a peptide bond to form between AA’s
What is mis-sense?
When a single nucleotide changes, resulting in a codon which codes for a different AA
What is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)?
A variation in a single nucleotide that occurs at a specific position in the genome, where each variation is present to some degree within a population. This can be in exons or introns
Where can SNP be used?
Paternity tests. It is an example of mis-sense
What is non-sense?
Adds a stop codon in the genetic sequence
What is the problem with sickle cell anaemia?
- Abnormality in haemoglobin S
- Erythrocytes become stiff and crescent shaped
- Only last 10-20 days (10% compared to standard)
How does cold/damp affect people with sickle cell anaemia?
Leads to vasoconstriction, hence amplifying the pain of blocking blood vessels
What proportion of the body is water in men and women?
- 60-65% in men
- 55-60% in women
What is the split between ICF and ECF in the body?
2/3 is ICF, 1/3 IS ECF
What is one of the main components of ECF?
Dissolved sodium ions
What are further divisions of ECF?
- 25% interstitial
- 8% plasma
- Rest is transcellular
Where can fluid be found?
In epithelial lined spaces
What percent of sodium in the body is locked up in the bone crystal?
Around 30%
What percentage of sodium in the body is exchangeable?
70%
What percentage of the total body sodium is held in the ECF?
50%
Define osmolality
A measure of the osmoles (Osm) of solute per kilogram of solvent. The units are osmol/kg or Osm/kg
Define oncotic pressure
A form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins, particularly albumin, in a blood vessel’s plasma, that usually tends to pull water into the circulatory system
Define osmosis
The movement of water molecules from an area which is less concentrated to an area which is more concentrated
What is albumin?
A protein produced in the liver that keeps fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and nourishes tissues
What happens if albumin levels are low?
- Water not drawn into blood vessels
- Fluid surrounds tissue
- Fluid shift (when body fluids more between fluid compartments)
- Conditions such as oedema
What is fluid shift?
When body fluids move between fluid compartments
What is oedema?
The excess of tissue/interstitial fluid collecting in tissues of the body
How does albumin work?
By binding to water
What are insensible losses?
Uncontrolled/unmeasurable amount of fluids on a daily basis
What contributes to insensible losses?
Urine, faeces, sweat, respiratory tract and trans-epidermal evaporation
What can cause increased osmolality?
An increase in sodium ions
What does an increase osmolality do to osmoreceptors?
Stimulates them in the hypothalamus
What happens after osmoreceptors are stimulated?
- Stimulates the posterior pituitary gland to release ADH
- The ADH targets the collecting ducts of the kidneys with aquaporins
- The second messenger model occurs
- More water reabsorption, darker urine, increase plasma volume, reduced osmolality
What happens when there is a decrease osmolality?
- Osmoreceptors are inhibited
- Inhibition of ADH
- Less water reabsorption, paler urine, decreased plasma volume, increases osmolality
What does the hypothalamus do in relation to water control?
Makes ADH
What does the posterior pituitary gland do in relation to water control?
Releases ADH
What does an increase in water mean in terms of ADH?
Release of ADH
What does a decrease in water mean in terms of ADH?
Inhibition of ADH
Where is angiotensin produced?
The liver
Where is renin produced?
Kidneys
What chemical helps convert angiotensinogen into angiotensin I?
Renin
Where is ACE produced?
Lungs
What chemical helps convert angiotensin I into angiotensin II?
ACE
What are the 3 main jobs of angiotensin II?
- Arteriolar vasoconstriction (increase BP)
- Acts of posterior pituitary to release ADH so there is water absorption at the collecting duct
- Acts of vortex of adrenal gland for aldosterone secretion. Allows tubular Na/Cl ion reabsorption. K ions excretion and water retention
Where is renin secreted?
When there is low blood pressure in the kidneys
What does medication for hypertension tend to inhibit?
ACE, as when it’s secreted it tends to raise blood pressure
What happens when the volume of water in the blood pressure is too low?
The hypothalamus is stimulated to alarm the body of thirst, so more water is consumed
What happens in the case of dehydration?
Increased solute, increases ECF osmolality, water goes to ECF from ICF, ADH released, thirst centre stimulated
What happens when there is a water excess?
Reduced ECF osmolality, water moves from ICF to ECF, less ADH released, urine volume increases, no thirst stimulation
Define cardiac output
The amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. It is a good indicator of fitness levels
What is the formula and units for cardiac output?
- Cardiac output = heart rate x stroke volume
- It has units of litres per minute
What could increase cardiac output?
An increased heart rate or stroke volume
Name 7 factors which increase blood pressure
- Smoking
- High BMI
- Lack of physical activity
- Too much sodium
- Too much alcohol
- Stress
- Older age
Describe how an increase in blood pressure leads to an increased cardiac output
- Greater blood pressure
- Reduced rate of flow through vessels
- Greater heart rate for same stroke volume
- Increased cardiac output
What is Starling’s law of the heart?
Stroke volume of the heart increases (until a limit) in response to an increase in the volume of blood in the ventricles, before contraction, when all other factors remain constant
What is preload?
The end diastolic volume that stretches the ventricle of the heart to its greatest dimensions under variable physiologic demands
What is afterload?
The pressure against which the heart must work to eject blood during systole
What are the four stages of the cardiac cycle (in order)?
- Filling phase
- Isovolumetric contraction
- Outflow phase
- Isovolumetirc relaxation
What occurs in the filling phase?
The ventricles fill during diastole and atrial systole
What happens during isovolumetric contraction?
The ventricles contract, building up pressure ready to pump blood into the aorta/pulmonary trunk
What occurs in the outflow phase?
The ventricles continue to contract, pushing blood into the aorta and the pulmonary trunk. Also known as systole
What happens in isovolumetric relaxation?
The ventricles relax, ready to refill with blood in the next filling phase
When does myocardial perfusion happen?
Diastole
What happens in the filling phase (detailed)?
- Both atria and ventricles relaxed
- Blood flows into atria from veins then into ventricles
- At the end of diastole, atria contract, pushing a small amount of blood into ventricles
- Pressure of ventricles > pressure of atria so AV valves close
What happens in isovolumetric contraction (detailed)?
- At start of contraction, both sets of valves are shut
- Start of systole increase ventricular pressure
What happens in the outflow phase (detailed)?
- When pressure of ventricles > aorta/pulmonary trunk, the valves of these valves open
- Blood is pumped from the heart into the great arteries
- Ventricles begin to relax, change in pressure compared to aorta causes valves to close
What happens in isovolumetric relaxation (detailed)?
- At the end of outflow phase both sets of valves are closed again
- Ventricles begin to relax, reducing pressure in ventricles so AV valves open
- Cycle begins again
What is the purpose of coronary arteries?
Supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle
What is the purpose of coronary veins?
Remove deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle
Where do the two coronary arteries arise from and how are they distinguished?
- Arise from the aorta just beyond the semi-lunar valves
- Distinguished into left and right
What happens in diastole, linked to the coronary arteries?
Increased aortic pressure above valves forces blood into coronary arteries
Where do most coronary veins converge to and where does it drain into?
- They converge to form the coronary venous sinus
- Drains into the right atrium
What are the branches of the right coronary artery and where do they join with branches of the left coronary artery?
- Right marginal branch and posterior intraventricular artery
- Join on the left hand side
What are the names of the two branches of the left coronary artery?
Circumflex artery (posterior) and the left anterior descending (LAD)
Where does the nodal branch supply?
The SAN
What happens when there is an occlusion of the LAD?
- It provides major blood supply to the septum between ventricles
- May lead to a ‘block’ of impulse conduction between atria and ventricles (LBBB/RBBB)
What happens when there is an occlusion of the right coronary artery?
- Supplies the AVN and sinus of the heart
- Can lead to conduction abnormalities
Name 4 preventative things that can be done to reduce heart problems
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Reduce stress
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Physical activity daily
How can LBBB/RBBB be detected?
By ECG’s to detect any ventricular fibrillation
What symptom is linked with hypoxia?
Confusion
Name 4 reasons for a low pp of oxygen
- Damaged tissue
- Anaemia
- High altitude
- COPD
Name a reason for a too high pp of oxygen
- Too much oxygen e.g. gas canister
Where is air held when it enters through the nose?
The nasal cavity
Where does the air go after the nasal cavity?
The pharynx then the larynx
What is the name of the opening of the trachea?
The glottis
What branches from the trachea?
The two primary bronchi
What does the bronchi deviate into?
The bronchioles
What happens in the alveoli and how does it happen?
- Oxygen is transferred into the blood in exchange for carbon dioxide
- Air travels through alveolar ducts into the alveolar sac where it is met with capillary networks
What consists of the upper airways?
- Nose/nasal passage
- Paranasal sinuses
- Pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx)
- The portion of the larynx above the vocal cords
What consists of the lower airways?
- The portion of the larynx below the vocal folds
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Bronchioles
Where is the greatest resistance to airflow?
The mediu sized bronchi
What do chemoreceptors do?
Detect changes in blood pH
What is the apneustic centre of the pons responsible for?
The ‘stimulating’ part, helps control rate of breathing
What is the pneumotaxic centre of the pons responsible for?
The ‘limiting’ part, helps control rate of breathing
What happens when carbon dioxide levels rise in arterial blood?
- Vasodialtion in arteries
- Heart rate increases
- Better blood flow/tissue perfusion
- Better oxygen delivery
- Blood flow to the heart and brain increases
- Higher respiratory rate as higher carbon dioxide levels
- Allows body to release more carbon dioxide whole increasing oxygen intake
What is normal respiration normally driven by?
Carbon dioxide levels in arteries
What happens during inspiration?
- Diaphragm contracts and pulls downwards
- Intercostal muscles contract and pull upwards
- Increase size of thoracic cavity
- Decrease in thoracic pressure
- Air moves into the lungs down a pressure gradient
What happens during expiration?
- Lungs recoils to force air out
- Intercostal muscles relax
- Diaphragm relaxes moving higher into the thoracic cavity
- Causes greater pressure in thorax, creating a pressure gradient
- Passive process
What is respiratory failure?
- When the respiratory system fails in oxygenation of carbon dioxide elimination
- May be classified as either hypodermic or hypercapnic
What is type I respiratory failure?
- Consists of hypoxemia solely
- Carbon dioxide levels may be normal or low
- Caused by lack of synchronisation between ventilation and perfusion within the body
- Caused by conditions which affects oxygenation
What is type II respiratory failure?
- This is both hypoxemia and hypercapnia
- Usually caused by inadequate alveolar ventilation
- Carbon dioxide levels build up but can’t be eliminated
- Caused by increased airways resistance, reduction in breathing effort
What does the upper GI tract consist of?
Pharynx, oesophagus, stomach and duodenum
Where is the pharynx located?
Behind the mouth and nasal cavity and above the oesophagus and larynx.
What is the function of the pharynx?
- Its muscular walls function in the process of swallowing
- Serves as a pathway for the movement of food from the mouth to oesophagus
What is the purpose of the oesophagus?
- Where the food passes by peristaltic contractions, from the pharynx to the stomach
- Serves as the conduit for food and liquids that have been swallowed into the pharynx to reach the stomach
What happens to the epiglottis during swallowing?
- Tilts backwards to prevent food going down the larynx and lungs
What is the stomach and what is its functions?
- Muscular organ which is involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication
- Done by digestive enzymes and HCl
- Stomach muscles contract periodically, churning food to enhance digestion
What is the pyloric sphincter?
A muscular valve that opens to allow food to pass from the stomach to the small intestine
What does the pyloric sphincter do?
Controls the passage of partially digested food (chyme) from the stomach into the duodenum
What are the functions of the duodenum?
- Senses changes in pH
- Receives chyme from the stomach
- Plays a vital role in the digestion of chyme (neutralises acid) in preparation for absorption in the small intestine
- Allows entrance of bile via bile & pancreatic duct
What are serotonin inhibitor drugs used for?
Anti-sickness medications
What is gastro-oesophageal reflux?
When HCl from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus
What is gastro-oesophageal reflux caused by?
Due to the sphincter at the bottom of the oesophagus becoming weakened, hence allowing reflux
What is an oesophageal motility disorder (EMD)?
A medical disorder where there is difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of food, and a spasm-type pain which can be brought on by an allergic reaction to certain foods
Which enzymes helps form carbonic acid from water and carbon dioxide in parietal cells?
Carbonic anhydrase
What happens to H ions in partial cells?
They move into the lumen of gastric pit in a K/H ion ATPase pump. K ions move into the parietal cells
What happens to bicarbonate ion after dissociation in the parietal cell?
It is part of a dual-transport channel with Cl ions, with bicarbonate moving into the blood and Cl ions moving into the parietal cell
What does Cl ions do when they are in the parietal cells?
Diffuse into the lumen of the gastric pit
What is the secondary source of hydrogen ions in the parietal cells?
Dissociation of water
What are the three substances which stimulate parietal cells and which one directly affects them?
- Gastrin, histamine and acetylcholine
- Histamine is the only one which directly affects
What do goblet cells do in the stomach?
Secrete mucus which protects the stomach lining
What do parietal cells do in the stomach?
Produce and secrete gastric acid
What do chief cells do in the stomach?
Secrete pepsinogen (a protease precursor)
What do D cells do in the stomach?
Secrete somatostatin which inhibits acid secretion
What do G cells in the stomach do?
Secrete gastrin which stimulates acid secretion
What is the Angle of His?
The acute angle created between the cardia at the entrance to the stomach and oesophagus
What are the names of the mucous membrane layers of the stomach and duodenum?
Gastric and duodenal mucosa
What is the pre-epithelial layer of protection?
A mucus-bicarbonate barrier, secreted from parietal cells, create a pH gradient maintaining the epithelial cell surface at near neutral pH
What is the purpose of surfactants in the stomach?
Prevents against water-soluble agents from reaching and damaging the epithelium
Name two things which contribute to intact epithelium lining
- Rapid cell turnover
- Enzymes which hydrolyse proteins (pepsin/pepsinogen)
What may be a symptom of indigestion?
Reflux
Where does the liver lie?
In the right hypochondrium
What percentage of the cardiac output is the hepatic blood supply?
25%
What percentage of the hepatic blood flow is from the portal vein?
75%
How many segments is the liver divided into?
8
What is the functional hepatic unit of the liver?
The acinus
When is cholecystokinin released?
In response to the presence of amino acids in the gut
Which system is acetylcholine part of?
The parasympathetic system
By what system is the enteropancreatic reflex done by?
Parasympathetic system
Which type of jaundice is commonly caused by gallstones in the common bile duct?
Obstructive
Name the organ which is situated within the duodenal loop
Pancreas
Which enzyme catalysed the formation of conjugated bilirubin?
UDP glucoronyl transferase
What produces stercobilinogen in the gut?
Bacterial enzyme hydrolysis
How is urobilinogen returned to the liver?
By the enterohepatic circulation
What cells secrete glucagon?
The alpha islet cells
What cells secrete insulin?
The beta islet cells
Which hormone stimulates the breakdown of glycogen?
Glucagon
Which cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide?
F islet cells
What is the central structure in a hepatic lobule?
The tributary of the hepatic vein
What system are the Kupffer cells part of in the liver?
The reticuloendothelial system
Which type of jaundice causes an increased serum unconjugated bilirubin and increased faecal urobilinogen?
Pre-hepatic
What is the cause of physiological jaundice of a newborn?
Excess breakdown of foetal haemoglobin
Give 4 causes of obstructive jaundice
- Cirrhosis
- Hepatitis
- Gallstones
- Carcinomas
What is Gilbert’s syndrome?
An elevated level of unconjugated bilirubin in the bloodstream
Give 4 functions of the liver
- Glycogen storage
- Storing vitamins A, D, E & K
- Production of cholesterol
- Conversion of T4 into T3
Where is urobilinogen produced?
Intestine
How is the liver divided?
- Into the right, left and caudate lobes
- The right and left lobes are further divided into the anterior and posterior elements
How is the common bile duct formed?
From the common hepatic duct (from liver) and the cystic duct (from the gallbladder)
What are the components of the hepatobiliary system?
Liver, gallbladder and bile ducts
What is significant about the flow in the portal triad?
The bile within the bile duct travels in the opposite direction to the blood in the portal vein and hepatic artery
What are the horizontal divisions of the midline of the body?
Subcostal (upper) and inter tubercular (lower)
What are the vertical divisions of the middle of the body?
Midclavicular
What does the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct from?
The hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater
What is a space of Disse?
Between a sinusoid and a hepatocyte. It has movement of blood through it
What is pre-hepatic (haemolytic) jaundice?
Caused as a result of haemolytic or accelerated breakdown of erythrocytes, leading to an increase in production of bilirubin
What is hepatocellular jaundice?
Usually caused by drugs and alcohol, it is as a result of liver disease of injury. It is partially hereditary
What is post-hepatic (obstructive) jaundice?
Occurs as a result of an obstruction in the bile duct. This prevents bilirubin movement into the liver.
Why do the whites of eyes go yellow in patients with jaundice?
Due to bilirubin having a affinity for elastin
Which type of jaundice causes dark urine and dark stools?
Hepatocellular
Which type of jaundice causes dark urine and pale stools?
Post-hepatic
Which type of jaundice causes normal urine and brown stools?
Pre-hepatic
What happens to haem in bilirubin metabolism?
The enzyme haem oxygenate splits it into iron ions (which are recycled) and biliverdin
What happens to globin in bilirubin metabolism?
The amino acids are recycled
Which enzyme converts biliverdin into unconjugated bilirubin?
Biliverdin reductase
What are the stages of converting unconjugated bilirubin into conjugated bilirubin in bilirubin metabolism?
- Travels to liver
- Combines with albumin
- Catalysed with UDP glucoronyl transferase (adding glucoronic acid)
How does conjugated bilirubin get converted into urobilinogen in bilirubin metabolism?
By movement into the duodenum
What happens to the urobilinogen when it’s in the intestine in bilirubin metabolism?
- Gets converted into urobilin
- Gets converted into stercobilinogen by bacterial enzyme hydrolysis
What happens to urobilin in bilirubin metabolism?
Half goes back into bile, while the other half goes into urine
What happens to stercobilinogen in bilirubin metabolism?
It gets converted into stercobilin, which is excreted in the faeces
What are the functions of the frontal lobe?
Motor, problem solving, language, personality
What is the function of the anterior portion of the frontal lobe?
Higher cognitive function and personality
What is the function of the posterior portion of the frontal lobe?
Motor and premotor areas
Where is Broca’s area and what is it’s function?
- Inferior frontal gyrus
- Important for language production (frontal lobe, dominant hemisphere)
What is present in the temporal lobe and what’s its functions?
- Primary auditory cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and Wernicke’s area
- Involved in short term memory, equilibrium and emotion
Where is Wernicke’s area and what is it’s function?
- Superior temporal gyrus of the left hemisphere
- Linked to understanding spoken word
Where is the primary sensory area of the brain?
Parietal lobe
Which side is the dominant parietal lobe and what is it’s functions?
- Usually the left side
- Important for perception and interpretation
What is the function of the non-dominant parietal lobe?
Visuospatial functions