NEET-PG 2012 - Physiology Practice Questions

Q: What is a key difference between smooth muscle and skeletal muscle physiology?

Troponin is absent in smooth muscle.. ***Troponin is absent in smooth muscle.*** * Smooth muscle contraction is regulated by **calcium-calmodulin complex** and subsequent activation of **myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)**, in contrast to skeletal muscle's reliance on the troponin-tropomyosin system. * **Troponin** is a calcium-binding protein found in skeletal and cardiac muscle, which plays a critical role in regulating muscle contraction by initiating the movement of tropomyosin, thereby exposing myosin-binding sites on actin. *Calcium is required for contraction.* * While calcium is indeed required for contraction in both smooth and skeletal muscle, the **mechanism of its action** differs, making this statement insufficiently discriminative as a *key difference*. * In both muscle types, an increase in intracellular **calcium** initiates the contractile process, but the downstream signaling pathways diverge significantly. *Myosin is essential for contraction.* * **Myosin** is a fundamental motor protein essential for contraction in *all* muscle types, including skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. * This statement highlights a similarity, not a key difference, as **actin-myosin cross-bridge cycling** is the basis of force generation in all muscle tissues. *Potassium is required for contraction.* * **Potassium ions** are crucial for maintaining the resting membrane potential and for repolarization following an action potential, which is necessary for muscle excitability, but they do not directly trigger muscle contraction. * The influx of calcium (or release from intracellular stores) is the direct trigger for contraction, not potassium.

Q: When the tension in a muscle fibre is maximum, its length is called?

Optimum length. ***Optimum length*** - This is the muscle length at which the **maximum number of cross-bridges** can form between actin and myosin filaments. - At this length, the sarcomere allows for the **greatest overlap** of thick and thin filaments without excessive stretching or compression, leading to peak tension generation. *Equilibrium length* - This term usually refers to the **resting length** of a muscle fiber when no external forces are acting upon it. - At equilibrium, the tension generated by the muscle may not necessarily be at its maximum. *Initial length* - This is a general term that refers to the **starting length** of a muscle fiber before it contracts or is stretched. - It does not specifically denote the length at which maximum tension is achieved. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because **optimum length** accurately describes the muscle length yielding maximum tension.

Q: Which of the following is the MOST accurate statement about CSF?

Formed by the choroid plexus in the ventricles.. ***Formed by the choroid plexus in the ventricles.*** * The **choroid plexus**, located in the ventricles of the brain, is primarily responsible for the production of **cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)**. * Specialized epithelial cells of the choroid plexus filter blood plasma to produce CSF, which then circulates through the central nervous system. *Normally contains no neutrophils* * Normal CSF should contain **virtually no neutrophils**; their presence typically indicates an inflammatory or infectious process, such as **bacterial meningitis**. * While normal CSF doesn't have neutrophils, this option isn't as broadly accurate as the choroid plexus statement because the presence of other cell types like lymphocytes in small numbers is normal. *pH is less than that of plasma* * The pH of CSF is typically **slightly lower than that of plasma** (around 7.31 compared to 7.40), but the statement "less than" is broad and the degree of difference can be variable and is a less defining characteristic than its formation site. * This slight difference in pH is important for regulating **respiration** through chemoreceptors, but it's not the most accurate or fundamental statement about CSF properties. *Removal of CSF during dural tap can cause a headache due to the change in pressure.* * A **post-dural puncture headache** (PDPH) is a well-known complication of a dural tap (lumbar puncture), caused by the leakage of CSF from the puncture site, leading to **intracranial hypotension**, not simply a change in pressure. * This decrease in CSF volume and pressure causes a traction on pain-sensitive structures within the cranium, resulting in a headache that is typically **worse when upright** and relieved by lying down.

Q: What triggers the cephalic phase of gastric secretion?

On seeing food. ***On seeing food*** - The **cephalic phase** of gastric secretion is initiated by sensory input such as the sight, smell, taste, or even the thought of food. - This phase is mediated by the **vagus nerve**, stimulating gastric acid and enzyme secretion in anticipation of food arrival. *On food entering stomach* - This describes the initiation of the **gastric phase** of digestion, where mechanical stretch and chemical presence of food in the stomach stimulate further secretions. - The gastric phase primarily involves local reflexes and hormonal mechanisms (like **gastrin** release), rather than purely sensory input from the head. *On food entering intestine* - This marks the beginning of the **intestinal phase** of digestion, which involves both stimulatory and inhibitory signals for gastric secretion. - The primary role of the intestinal phase is to regulate the rate at which chyme enters the small intestine and to coordinate bile and pancreatic enzyme release. *On stress* - While stress can impact digestive function, it typically affects the **autonomic nervous system** in a generalized way, often leading to inhibition of digestion or altered motility. - Stress does not specifically trigger the cephalic phase of gastric secretion, which is a physiological response linked to nutrient anticipation.

Q: Which of the following statements about gastric secretion is true?

Increased by stomach distention. ***Increased by stomach distention*** - **Stomach distention** activates local reflexes and the **vagovagal reflex**, leading to the release of **acetylcholine** and **gastrin**, which stimulate gastric acid secretion during the gastric phase. - This is a physiological response that prepares the stomach for digestion of incoming food. *Inhibited by curare* - **Curare** is a **nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist** that primarily affects neuromuscular junctions, causing muscle paralysis. - It does not directly inhibit the primary mechanisms of gastric acid secretion, which are largely mediated by **muscarinic acetylcholine receptors**, histamine, and gastrin. *Stimulated by nor adrenaline* - **Noradrenaline** (norepinephrine) is a neurotransmitter of the **sympathetic nervous system**, which generally **inhibits** gastric motility and secretion. - Activation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors can decrease gastric acid secretion. *Stimulated by an increase in tonic activity* - This statement is vague; "tonic activity" can refer to various physiological processes. If it refers to **sympathetic nervous system** tonic activity, it would **inhibit** gastric secretion. - If it implies increased vagal tone (parasympathetic activity), then secretion would be stimulated, but the phrasing is not precise enough to be unequivocally true for gastric secretion in general.

Q: Ptyalin is secreted by?

Salivary gland. ***Salivary gland*** - **Ptyalin**, also known as **salivary amylase**, is an enzyme produced by the salivary glands. - Its primary role is to initiate the **digestion of carbohydrates** (starches) in the mouth. *Gastric gland* - Gastric glands primarily secrete **hydrochloric acid** and **pepsinogen**, involved in protein digestion. - They do not produce ptyalin or enzymes for carbohydrate digestion. *Duodenal gland* - Duodenal glands (Brunner's glands) secrete alkaline mucus to protect the duodenum from acidic chyme. - They are not involved in the production of carbohydrate-digesting enzymes like ptyalin. *Pancreatic gland* - The pancreas produces **pancreatic amylase**, which continues starch digestion in the small intestine. - While it secretes an amylase, it is distinct from salivary amylase (ptyalin) and released into the duodenum, not the mouth.

Q: A wave in ERG is due to activity of:

Rods and cones. ***Rods and cones*** - The **electroretinogram (ERG)** measures the electrical responses of various retinal cells to light stimuli. - The **a-wave** of the ERG primarily reflects the activity of the **photoreceptors (rods and cones)** as they hyperpolarize in response to light. *Pigmented epithelium* - The **retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE)** plays a crucial role in photoreceptor health and function but does not directly generate the primary electrical waves measured by the standard ERG. - Its dysfunction can lead to secondary changes in ERG, but its activity is not the direct source of the a-wave. *Ganglion cell* - **Ganglion cells** are the output neurons of the retina, transmitting visual information to the brain. - Their activity is generally not well-represented in the standard ERG, which primarily assays outer and middle retinal layers. *Bipolar cell* - **Bipolar cells** transmit signals from photoreceptors to ganglion cells and contribute to the **b-wave** component of the ERG. - The b-wave, not the a-wave, is largely generated by the depolarizing activity of bipolar cells and Müller cells.

Q: What is the characteristic of the second Purkinje image in relation to eye movement?

Erect and moves in same direction. ***Erect and moves in same direction*** - The second Purkinje image (P2) is formed by reflection from the **posterior surface of the cornea**. - This surface acts as a convex mirror, producing a **virtual, erect, and diminished image**. - The image moves in the **same direction** as the eye movement, characteristic of reflections from the first three Purkinje images (P1, P2, P3). - P2 is clinically used in keratometry and assessment of corneal curvature. *Erect and moves in opposite direction* - While the image orientation (erect) would apply to P2, the direction of movement is incorrect. - Only the **fourth Purkinje image (P4)**, formed by the **posterior lens surface**, moves in the opposite direction to eye movement. - P4 is the only inverted Purkinje image due to reflection from the concave posterior lens surface. *Inverted and moves in same direction* - The second Purkinje image is **erect, not inverted**. - All Purkinje images are erect except P4, which is inverted due to reflection from the concave posterior lens surface. - This combination (inverted + same direction) does not correspond to any Purkinje image. *Inverted and moves in opposite direction* - This describes the **fourth Purkinje image (P4)**, not the second. - P4 is formed by reflection from the **posterior surface of the lens** (concave surface), which produces an inverted image. - The second Purkinje image (P2) is always erect, being formed by the posterior corneal surface.

Q: Which structure of the eye has the maximum refractive power?

Anterior surface of cornea. ***Anterior surface of cornea*** - The **cornea** accounts for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total refractive power due to the large difference in refractive index between air and the corneal tissue. - The **anterior surface of the cornea** is the primary site of light refraction as light enters the eye from the air. *Anterior surface of lens* - The **lens** contributes significantly to accommodation, but its overall refractive power is less than that of the cornea in the unaccommodated state. - The change in refractive index between the aqueous humor and the lens is less pronounced compared to the air-cornea interface. *Posterior surface of lens* - The **posterior surface of the lens** also contributes to the focusing power of the lens, but its curvature and refractive index difference are typically less than the anterior surface of the cornea. - Its contribution to total refractive power is secondary to the anterior corneal surface and the anterior lens surface. *Posterior surface of cornea* - The **posterior surface of the cornea** has a much smaller refractive power compared to the anterior surface due to the smaller difference in refractive index between the cornea and the aqueous humor. - This interface does contribute to refraction but is not the primary focusing component.

Q: What does colostrum have compared to normal milk?

Increased proteins. ***Increased proteins*** - **Colostrum** is rich in **immunoglobulins (antibodies)** like IgA, IgG, and IgM, which are proteins crucial for passive immunity in the newborn, making its protein content **2-3 times higher** than mature milk (approximately 2.3 g/100 mL vs 0.9 g/100 mL). - These high protein levels also include **lactoferrin** and **growth factors**, which support the development of the infant's gut and immune system. - This is the **most clinically significant** distinguishing feature of colostrum. *Decreased potassium* - **Potassium (K)** levels in colostrum are actually **similar to or slightly higher** than mature milk (approximately 74 mg/100 mL vs 51 mg/100 mL). - This option is incorrect as potassium is not decreased. *Decreased sodium* - **Sodium (Na)** levels are actually **significantly higher** in colostrum than in mature milk (approximately 48 mg/100 mL vs 15 mg/100 mL). - This elevated sodium gives colostrum a distinct salty taste, differentiating it from mature milk. - This option is incorrect as sodium is increased, not decreased. *Decreased calories* - While colostrum has a **lower fat content** than mature milk, leading to somewhat lower caloric density (54-58 kcal/100 mL vs 65-70 kcal/100 mL), this is not the primary distinguishing characteristic. - The most important feature of colostrum is its **high protein and immunoglobulin content** for immune protection, not its caloric value.

Question 1

What is a key difference between smooth muscle and skeletal muscle physiology?

Accepted Answer

Troponin is absent in smooth muscle.

Answer

Calcium is required for contraction.

Answer

Myosin is essential for contraction.

Answer

Potassium is required for contraction.

Question 2

When the tension in a muscle fibre is maximum, its length is called?

Accepted Answer

Optimum length

Answer

None of the options

Answer

Initial length

Answer

Equilibrium length

Question 3

Which of the following is the MOST accurate statement about CSF?

Accepted Answer

Formed by the choroid plexus in the ventricles.

Answer

Normally contains no neutrophils

Answer

pH is less than that of plasma

Answer

Removal of CSF during dural tap can cause a headache due to the change in pressure.

Question 4

What triggers the cephalic phase of gastric secretion?

Accepted Answer

On seeing food

Answer

On food entering stomach

Answer

On food entering intestine

Answer

On stress

Question 5

Which of the following statements about gastric secretion is true?

Accepted Answer

Increased by stomach distention

Answer

Inhibited by curare

Answer

Stimulated by nor adrenaline

Answer

Stimulated by an increase in tonic activity

Question 6

Ptyalin is secreted by?

Accepted Answer

Salivary gland

Answer

Gastric gland

Answer

Duodenal gland

Answer

Pancreatic gland

Question 7

A wave in ERG is due to activity of:

Accepted Answer

Rods and cones

Answer

Pigmented epithelium

Answer

Ganglion cell

Answer

Bipolar cell

Question 8

What is the characteristic of the second Purkinje image in relation to eye movement?

Accepted Answer

Erect and moves in same direction

Answer

Inverted and moves in same direction

Answer

Inverted and moves in opposite direction

Answer

Erect and moves in opposite direction

Question 9

Which structure of the eye has the maximum refractive power?

Accepted Answer

Anterior surface of cornea

Answer

Anterior surface of lens

Answer

Posterior surface of lens

Answer

Posterior surface of cornea

Question 10

What does colostrum have compared to normal milk?

Accepted Answer

Increased proteins

Answer

Decreased potassium

Answer

Decreased sodium

Answer

Decreased calories

NEET-PG 2012 — Physiology