Physiology Practice Exam Examples

Question 1

white matter of the spinal cord contains?

Answer 1

bundles of axons with common origins, destinations and functions

Question 2

the spinal tract that carries sensations from proprioceptors to the CNS is the?

Answer 2

spinocerebellar

Question 3

in order for a sensation to become a perception

Answer 3

it must be received by the somatosensory cortex

Question 4

drugs that have effects similar to those of sympathetic activation are called sympathomimetic drugs. What would you not expect to observe in a person who has taken a sympathomimetic drug?

Answer 4

decreased blood pressure

Question 5

monosynaptic reflexes are also called ______ reflexes

Answer 5

simple

Question 6

What is the cochlea? Where is it located. Describe it’s function

Answer 6

A bony structure containing part of the cochlear duct. a portion of the inner ear that looks like a snail shell. The cochlea receives sound in the form of vibrations, which cause the stereocilia to move

Question 7

using the example of heart rate, describe what is meant by antagonistic control in relation to the autonomic nervous system

Answer 7

• antagonistic control is also referred to as dual innervation
• this is when effectors are innervated by both the sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways which causes very precise control of an effector
• if we consider heart rate when the sympathetic division is activated the heart rate will increase but when the parasympathetic pathway is activated heart rate will decrease. At all times both pathways are activated to a small degree to maintain the constant physiologically relevant heart rate.

Question 8

which statement best describes an endocrine hormone?

a.
A chemical that is secreted into the extracellular fluid and acts locally.

b.
A fast acting chemical that is released into the synaptic cleft.

c.
A chemical that is secreted into the extracellular fluid and carried by the blood.

d.
A chemical that acts on a limited number of cells in a specific area.

e.
None of the above.

Answer 8

ANS= C

Question 9

What does growth hormone not do?

Answer 9

causes fat accumulation within adipocytes

Question 10

the pancreatic hormone that causes blood sugar levels to fall is?

Answer 10

insulin

Question 11

during the alarm phase of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) there is

Answer 11

mobilisation of energy reserves

Question 12

the posterior pituitary gland secretes the following 2 hormones ________ + _________

Answer 12

ADH and Oxytocin

Question 13

Describe the control of thyroid hormone release

Answer 13

1. decreased levels of circulating thyroid hormone
2. TRH released from hypothalamus
3. stimulates thyroid gland to release biologically active T3+T4 into bloodstream
4. transported in blood bound to plasma proteins

Question 14

the two components of the integumentary system are the?

Answer 14

cutaneous membrane and accessory structures

Question 15

a surgical incision parallel to the lines of cleavage

Answer 15

closes and heals with relatively little scarring

Question 16

which of the following cells has been implicated in playing a role in immunological reactions in the skin?

Answer 16

dendritic/ langerhan cells

Question 17

when the arrector pili muscles contract

Answer 17

goose bumps are formed

Question 18

in simple squamous epitheliums the ____ is the layer in which keratin forms

Answer 18

stratum granulosum

Question 19

describe six general functions of the skin

Answer 19

• protects underlying tissues and organs
• excretes salts, water, and organic wastes (glands)
• maintains body temperature (insulation and evaporation)
• synthesises vitamin D3
• stores lipids
• detects touch, pressure, pain and temperature

Question 20

the thoracic duct drains lymph from all of the following except the:
a.
left breast.

b.
left arm and shoulder.

c.
pelvic viscera.

d.
right breast.

e.
left side of neck.

Answer 20

d = right breast

Question 21

in order for a lymphocyte to respond to an antigen, the antigen must

Answer 21

bind to specific receptors on the lymphocyte surface

Question 22

the body’s nonspecific defences include all of the following, except
a.
interferon.

b.
the skin.

c.
antibodies.

d.
inflammation.

e.
complement.

Answer 22

c = antibodies

Question 23

the release of endogenus pyrogen by active macrophages would

Answer 23

produce a fever

Question 24

virus infected cells are specifically destroyed by _____cells

Answer 24

cytotoxic T cells

Question 25

describe how antibodies are produced when a bacterial infection triggers an immune response

Answer 25

• sensitisation: inactive Bcells first become sensitised which involves the antigen being internalised into the inactive Bcell and then being displayed on the MHC II protein complex
• activation: an activated T cell with the appropriate T cell receptor then specifically recognises the antigen displayed on the MHC II complex
• the helper T cell with the aid of a cofactor protein complex then activates the B cell which can now differentiate into plasma cells to produce antibodies to combat the bacterial infection

Question 26

Which of the following processes is (are) required for the complete oxidation of glucose?
a.
The Krebs Cycle

b.
Glycolysis

c.
Pyruvate oxidation

d.
Fermentation reaction

e.
Options A, B, and C together would result in the complete oxidation of glucose

Answer 26

Options A, B, and C together would result in the complete oxidation of glucose

Question 27

What is not true regarding cellular respiration

Answer 27

electrons have a higher potential energy at the end of the process

Question 28

the enzymes of the krebs cycle are located in the ?

Answer 28

mitochondrial matrix

Question 29

the electron transport chain involves

Answer 29

the flow of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane down their concentration gradient

Question 30

______ molecules of ________ are produced by glycolysis, which then enter the krebs cycle

Answer 30

two// pyruvate

Question 31

what role does oxygen have in the electron transport chain? how does the metabolism of glucose change is oxygen is not readily available?

Answer 31

the ETC facilitates the formation of a proton gradient to promote chemiosmosis and the final step of ATP production. Molecular oxygen acts like an electron sink accepting the low energy electrons after they transport through the chain and producing water.
Molecular oxygen is required for pyruvate that is produced in glycolysis to enter the krebs cycle. If there is negligible oxygen only glycolysis will proceed. in this instance a process called anaerobic respiration can ensue where NADH is oxidised back to NAD+ which can enter the glycolytic cycle, producing a small amount of energy i.e. ATP

Question 32

the primary function of the convoluted tubule is

Answer 32

absorption of ions, organic molecules, vitamins and water

Question 33

autoregulation control of glomerular filtration involves

Answer 33

myogenic stretch receptors

Question 34

what is true in terms of glucose handling in the kidney?

Answer 34

glucose is freely filtered and normally 100% reabsorbed

Question 35

which function does the kidney NOT perform?

Answer 35

regulation of energy metabolism via regulation of glucose reabsorption

Question 36

the renal system ____ converts angiotensin to angiotensin I

Answer 36

renin

Question 37

describe what happens within the glomerulus when glomerular filtration rate increases above normal (focus on tubuloglomerular feedback)

Answer 37

1. GFR increases above normal
2. Flow through the tubule increases
3. flow past the macula densa increases
4. paracrine signalling from the macula densa to the afferent arteriole occurs.
5. this causes the afferent arteriole to constrict
6. this increases resistance into the afferent arteriole
7. it causes the hydrostatic pressure in the glomerulus to decrease
8. GFR decreases

Question 38

the primary role of FSH in males is to

Answer 38

initiate sperm production in the testes

Question 39

spermatozoa are functionally matured within the ?

Answer 39

epididymus

Question 40

fertilisation typically occurs in the

Answer 40

fallopian tubes

Question 41

maternal physiological changes during pregnancy include

Answer 41

an increase in blood volume and urine production

Question 42

the hormone ____ rises at the same time of ____ at apporximately day 14 of the menstrual cycle

Answer 42

luteinising hormone and ovulation

Question 43

name the three key layers of the uterus. Describe the actions the inner most layer of the uterus goes through during the process of menstruation

Answer 43

1. perimetrium
2. myometrium
3. endometrium
   - stratum basalis (permanent)
   - stratum functionalis - changes during menstrual cycle
   It regenerates during the early stages of the menstrual cycle under the production of estrogens. the epithelial cells of this layer proliferate and regenerate/ regrow this functional zone. Once regenerated this lining then begins to thicken under the control of progesterone. This thickening occurs through increased secretions from the uterine glands and increased blood supply with coiled vessels. Finally, this layer undergoes the menstrual phase or menses, where both oestrogen and progesterone levels decline and this triggers the destruction of this functional zone due to blood vessel constriction and decreased nutrients and oxygen to this uterine lining. The cells disintegrate and are released from the body as menstrual fluid. This signals the beginning of a new menstrual cycle and regeneration begins again.