Test 1 Practice Questions Flashcards
Which type of sensory receptor plays a role in human vision?
Photoreceptors
What part of the ear is responsible for maintaining balance by detecting head movements?
Vestibular System (semicircular canals)
Which psychological factors is most likely to increase a patient’s perception of pain?
High levels of anxiety and depression
Which of the following best describes Anatomy?
a) The study of how the body functions
b) The study of the structure of the body and its parts
c) The study of the cells and tissues in the body
d) The study of the nervous system
b) The study of the structure of the body and its parts
Which reflex involves the quick withdrawal of a limb from a painful stimulus?
Flexor (withdrawal) reflex
Which of the following levels of structural organization is the largest?
a) Organ System
b) Organ
c) Tissue
d) Cell
a) Organ System
The sensory pathways that convey information about pain, temperature, and crude touch typically travel via which tract?
Spinothalamic tract
The term “proximal” refers to a position that is:
Closer to the point of attachment or origin
The ventral horn of the spinal cord contains the cell bodies of which of the following?
a) Sensory neurons
b) Autonomic neurons
c) Motor neurons that innervate skeletal muscles
d) Neurons responsible for reflexive control of the heart
c) Motor neurons that innervate skeletal muscles
Which body plane divides the body into right and left portions?
Sagittal plane
What best describes the function of Chemoreceptors in the sensory system?
They detect chemicals in the environment, such as odors and tastes
Which of the following physiological processes primarily occurs during deep (slow-wave) sleep, and why is it essential for overall health?
a) Increased sympathetic nervous system activity, which helps increase heart rate and blood pressure
b) Decreased heart rate and blood pressure, allowing the body to repair and regenerate tissues
c) Increased brain activity, which helps consolidate short-term memories into long-term memories
d) Enhanced digestion and absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract
b) Decreased heart rate and blood pressure, allowing the body to repair and regenerate tissues
What best describes the role of the mechanoreceptors in the skin?
They detect mechanical pressure, vibration, and touch stimuli
In medical imaging, which technique uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal body structures?
Ultrasound
What is the most accurate description of blood pressure?
Blood pressure measures the force of the blood against the arterial walls
A 70-year-old female patient’s blood pressure is recorded at 140/80mmHg. What is the patient’s pulse pressure, and what does this measurement indicate about her cardiovascular health?
Pulse pressure=60mmHg;
A normal pulse pressure of 40-60mmHg suggests healthy heart function and effective circulation
What is the primary role of the olfactory receptors in the sense of smell?
To detect specific chemical molecules in the air, signaling the brain
Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for the conscious perception of sensory stimuli such as touch, temperature, and pain?
Primary sensory cortex (postcentral gyrus)
What term describes the study of the body’s structure at a microscopic level, such as tissues and cells?
Histology
Which of the following structures is primarily involved in the integration of sensory information from the body and relays this information to the cerebral cortex for further processing?
a) Thalamus
b) Cerebellum
c) Pons
d) Medulla oblongata
a) Thalamus
Why does the body decrease respiratory rate when blood carbon dioxide (CO2) levels drop below normal?
To retain carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood and maintain proper pH balance
How does the process of vasodilation help to regulate body temperature?
It increases blood flow to the skin, allowing heat to be lost more effectively through radiation and convection
Which of the following is an example of a homeostatic process?
a) Maintaining a constant body temperature
b) Digestion of food in the stomach
c) Transmission of electrical impulses along nerves
d) Production of hormones in the glands
a) Maintaining a constant body temperature
What is the primary function of the posterior (dorsal) columns in the spinal cord?
To carry sensory information about fine touch, vibration and proprioception
Which of the following describes the relationship between anatomy and physiology?
a) Anatomy focuses on how the body words, while physiology focuses on structure
b) Anatomy and physiology are completely independent fields
c) Anatomy focuses on the structure of the body, while physiology focuses on how the body functions
d) Anatomy studies only the human body, while physiology studies all living organisms
c) Anatomy focuses on the structure of the body, while physiology focuses on how the body functions
What is the process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment?
Homeostasis
Which of the following statements accurately describes the physiology of taste?
Taste receptors are specialized to detect specific chemicals dissolved in saliva, and are primarily located in the taste buds
What is the physiological explanation for why the body increases heart rate in response to a decrease in blood volume (e.g. due to dehydration)?
The body compensates for lower blood volume by increasing heart rate to maintain adequate cardiac output and tissue perfusion
What is the primary purpose of the World Health Organization (WHO) pain ladder?
To offer a step-by-step framework for escalating pain treatment based on the severity of the pain
Which sensory modality is associated with the somatosensory receptors found in the skin and tissues?
Touch
A 60-year-old male patient has a blood pressure reading of 135/95mmHg. What might an increase in pulse pressure (the different between systolic and diastolic pressures) indicate in this patient?
It could indicate a stiffening of the arteries, often seen in conditions like atherosclerosis or hypertension
In the visual system, what best describes the function of the rods in the retina?
They detect light intensity and are responsible for vision in low light conditions
A 50-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension has a blood pressure of 160/88 mmHg. What is the patient’s Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), and why is it an important indicator of tissue perfusion?
*Formula: MAP= Diastolic BP + (Systolic-Diastolic BP)/3
MAP=112mmHg;
MAP helps assess the average pressure in the arteries during a single cardiac cycle, important for tissue perfusion
Which of the following is a requirement for human life?
a) Absence of disease
b) Oxygen
c) Ability to think
d) Ability to move
Oxygen
How does the circadian rhythm affect sleep-wake cycles, and what role does the hormone melatonin play in this process?
The circadian rhythm is influenced by the 24-hour light-dark cycle, and melatonin helps promote sleep by signaling the body to prepare for rest
In the sensory processing of tactile stimuli, which cortical area of the brain is primarily responsible for receiving and processing touch information?
Primary somatosensory cortex
Which structure is primarily responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain?
Cochlea
Why does the body increase heart rate in response to physical activity?
To circulate more oxygen to the tissues and remove metabolic waste products more efficiently
Which of the following psychological factors can significantly influence an individual’s perception of pain?
a) The level of physical activity
b) Past experiences and emotional state
c) The presence of external stimuli such as light or sound
d) The type of food consumed
b) Past experiences and emotional state
The process by which light is focused on the retina to form clear images in primarily facilitated by which structure in the eye?
Cornea
