Previous Exam Questions

Question 1

12 Consider the transport of glucose across cell membranes in the intestine (i) by active transport and (ii) by co-transport with sodium ions. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding these processes? [2 marks]
A The glucose transporter is paired with Na+/K+-ATPase in both (i) and (ii)
B Transporters are involved in transfer of the polar molecule, glucose, in both (i) and (ii)
C Energy from ATP is required for (i) and (ii)
D Glucose can be transported against its concentration gradient by (i) and (ii)
E Both (i) and (ii) use proteins to mediate transport of glucose across the cell membrane

Answer 1

B

Question 2

13 Which of the following is an INCORRECT association of function with the named region of the brain? [2 marks]
A Communication between the right and left hemispheres of the cerebral cortex with the corpus callosum
B Emotions with several areas of the brain that are collectively referred to as the limbic system
C Movement with the basal nuclei where nerves degenerate in patients with Parkinson’s disease
D The selectivity filter that determines arousal and sleep with the reticular formation in the cerebral cortex
E Memory with the hippocampus and cerebral cortex

Answer 2

D

Question 3

15 Which of the following statements about human skeletal muscle is INCORRECT? [2 marks]
A Sarcomere length influences the amount of active force that can be generated
B The endomysium lies deep within the muscle, surrounding each muscle fibre
C A sarcomere is very long, and each sarcomere is multinucleated
D Sarcomere length can influence the amount of passive force within a musculotendinous structure
E The greatest predictor of muscle force is the Physiological Cross Sectional Area of the muscle

Answer 3

D

Question 4

16 Which of the following statements about a contracting muscle is INCORRECT? [2 marks]
A Myosin and titin bind to shorten the muscle during the power stroke
B When the muscle shortens, the Z-lines of the sarcomeres are pulled closer together
C Eccentric contractions can produce more force than concentric contractions
D ‘Excitability’ refers to the ability of muscle to respond to the appropriate stimuli
E ‘Contractility’ refers to the ability of the muscle to shorten and thicken, and develop tension

Answer 4

A

Question 5

18 Our human body and its components change throughout the life span. Which of the following statements about growth and development of the human body is INCORRECT? [2 marks]
A Long bones develop through epimysial ossification
B Maturation is the process of progression towards a mature state
C There are approximately 800 ossification centres in the developing human skeleton 11 weeks prior to birth
D There is a close functional and developmental relationship between muscle and bone mass
E The development and maintenance of bone mass depends on mechanical loading of the skeleton

Answer 5

A - Endochronal ossification, not epimysial

Question 6

19 Electromyography is a tool used to measure myoelectric action potentials. Which of the following statements about myoelectric action potentials is INCORRECT? [2 marks]
A Myoelectric action potentials can be recorded by placing recording electrodes on the skin above the muscle or inserting recording electrodes into the muscle of interest
B The more single motor units that are recruited, the greater the quantity of myoelectric action potentials are generated within the muscle
C The surface electrodes record action potentials as they propagate along the motor axon
D The faster single motor units discharge, the greater the quantity of myoelectric action potentials are generated within the muscle
E Electrical activity generated as an action potential travels along muscle fibres in both directions from the motor point

Answer 6

E

Question 7

29 Which of the following statements is CORRECT regarding hormone and its class? [2 marks]
A adrenaline – lipid soluble steroid hormone
B thyroxine – lipid soluble amine hormone
C cortisol – water soluble amine hormone
D insulin – lipid soluble polypeptide hormone
E thyroxine – lipid soluble steroid hormone

Answer 7

B

Question 8

30 Which one of the following statements regarding homeostasis is INCORRECT? Homeostasis [2 marks]
A is important for the survival of human beings
B occurs by action of antagonistic pairs of hormones
C allows ‘regulators’ to maintain an internal balance
D occurs by positive feedback
E occurs by negative feedback

Answer 8

D

Question 9

Whichstatementabout2ndmessengersisINCORRECT?Secondmessengers22
A.are always present in cells at the same concentration
B.mediate cell signalling when they are present
C.act as amplifiers when they are synthesised or released
D.have regulated mechanisms for their destruction or removal
E.includecyclicAMPandCa2+10

Answer 9

A

Question 10

AnEPSPoccurredinapostsynapticneuroninresponsetoreleaseofglutamatefromapresynapticneuron.Whatmechanismcouldexplainthis?
19A.Activationofvoltage‐gatedsodiumchannels
B.Activationofvoltage‐gatedpotassiumchannels
C.Activationofligand‐gatedsodiumchannels
D.Activationofligand‐gatedchloridechannels
E.Inhibitionofvoltage‐gatedsodiumchannels

Answer 10

C

Question 11

An EPSP occurred in a post synaptic neuron in response to release of glutamate from a presynaptic neuron. What mechanism could explain this?
19A. Activation of voltage‐gated sodium channels
B.Activation of voltage‐gated potassium channels
C.Activation of ligand‐gated sodium channels
D.Activation of ligand‐gated chloride channels
E.Inhibition of voltage‐gated sodium channels

Answer 11

C

Question 12

Which statement about calcium ions is INCORRECT?
20A.restingintracellularCa2+concentrationis0.1μM
B.theCa2+gradientacrosscellmembranesisabout10,000fold
C.Ca2+enters neurons and stimulates exocytotic release of neurotransmitter
D.Ca2+enters presynaptic neurons via ligand‐gatedCa2+channels
E.Ca2+is a second messenger in cells

Answer 12

D

Question 13

Comparing post synaptic potentials with action potentials, which statement is CORRECT
A.Both are“all or nothing”
B.Both are generated at the cell body
C.Both travel along the axon
D.Both can cause depolarisation of the neuronal membrane
E.Both are inhibitory and cause hyperpolarisation

Answer 13

D

Question 14

What would be the long-term effect if the lymphatic vessels associated with a capillary bed were blocked?
A.Fewer proteins would leak from the interstitial fluid into the blood
B.Nothing would happen
C.Fluid would accumulate in the interstitial areas
D.Blood pressure in the capillary bed would decrease
E.More fluid would enter the venous capillaries

Answer 14

C

Question 15

The relationship between blood pressure (BP), cardiac output (CO) and peripheral resistance (PR) can be expressed as BP = CO*TPR. Which one of the following would NOT increase BP?
A.Increased stroke volume
B.Increased heart rate
C.Increased duration of ventricular diastole
D.Contraction of smooth muscle in the arteriole walls
E.Reduction in the diameter of arterioles

Answer 15

C

Question 16

VenacavaLeftatriumRightatriumLeftventricleRightventricle0%0%0%0%0%Blood returning to the mammalian heart in a pulmonary vein will drain first into the:
A.Vena cava
B.Left atrium
C.Right atrium
D.Left ventricle
E.Right ventricle

Answer 16

B

Question 17

In chronic protein undernutrition there is a reduction in plasma protein content. How may this affect capillary function?
A.Decrease fluid movement out of the capillary at the arteriole end
B.Decrease fluid movement into the capillary at the venous end
C.Reduce lymphatic flow
D.Increase fluid movement out of the capillary at the venous end
E.It will not affect capillary function

Answer 17

B

Question 18

In chronic protein undernutrition there is a reduction in plasma protein content. How may this affect capillary function?
A.Decrease fluid movement out of the capillary at the arteriole end
B.Decrease fluid movement into the capillary at the venous end
C.Reduce lymphatic flow
D.Increase fluid movement out of the capillary at the venous end
E.It will not affect capillary function

Answer 18

B

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a common feature of all respiratory systems?
A.linked with a circulatory system for gas transport
B.large surface area for gas exchange
C.moist surface at which gas exchange occurs
D.specialized cell types for gas transfer
E.thin epithelial surfaces for gas exchange

Answer 19

A

Question 20

In the pulmonary circulation
A.blood pressure is higher than in the systemic circulation
B.the pulmonary vein carries oxygen poor blood
C.oxygen diffuses directly from air in the alveoli into the capillaries
D.there is a very large capillary surface area
E.a large of amount of water is lost by evaporation from the alveoli

Answer 20

D