NEET-PG 2015 - Physiology Practice Questions

Q: Secretion of bile out of hepatocytes occurs via?

Active transport. ***Active transport*** - Bile secretion by hepatocytes is an **energy-dependent process** against concentration gradients, requiring specific transporter proteins. - This active mechanism ensures efficient bile flow and prevents reflux, crucial for processes like **fat digestion and absorption**. *Passive diffusion* - **Passive diffusion** involves substances moving down their concentration gradient without energy expenditure. - Bile components, like bile salts, are highly concentrated within hepatocytes and need to be moved against this gradient. *Facilitated diffusion* - This type of diffusion utilizes **transmembrane proteins** to move substances down their concentration gradient, but still does not directly consume ATP. - Bile components are often transported against their concentration gradient, which is not facilitated diffusion. *Osmosis* - **Osmosis** specifically refers to the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration. - While water is a component of bile, the primary mechanism of moving bile solutes out of the hepatocyte is not osmosis.

Q: Intestinal absorption of calcium is mainly increased by?

Calcitriol. ***Calcitriol*** - **Calcitriol** (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) is the hormonally active form of vitamin D, which is essential for increasing **calcium absorption** from the intestines. - It stimulates the synthesis of **calcium-binding proteins** in intestinal epithelial cells, facilitating active transport of calcium. *Parathormone* - **Parathormone (PTH)** primarily regulates calcium by increasing its reabsorption in the **kidneys** and stimulating its release from **bones**. - While it indirectly promotes calcitriol synthesis, its *direct* effect on intestinal calcium absorption is minimal compared to calcitriol. *Glucocorticoids* - **Glucocorticoids** generally have an *inhibitory* effect on calcium absorption in the intestine and can also increase renal excretion of calcium. - Prolonged use can lead to **osteoporosis** due to their negative impact on bone formation and calcium balance. *ACTH* - **ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)** primarily stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce **cortisol** and other glucocorticoids. - It has **no direct role** in regulating calcium absorption from the intestines.

Q: Small intestinal peristalsis is controlled by :

Myenteric plexus. ***Myenteric plexus*** - The **myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus** is located between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the muscularis propria and is primarily responsible for **controlling gastrointestinal motility**, including peristalsis. - Its neurons coordinate the contractions and relaxations of these muscle layers to propel contents through the alimentary canal. *Meissners plexus* - The **Meissner's (submucosal) plexus** is located in the submucosa and mainly controls **glandular secretion**, local blood flow, and absorption, rather than muscle motility. - While it subtly influences motility through local reflexes, it is not the primary controller of peristalsis. *Vagus nerve* - The **vagus nerve (cranial nerve X)** provides parasympathetic innervation to the small intestine, modulating activity but not directly initiating or solely controlling peristalsis. - It influences the activity of the enteric nervous system (including the myenteric plexus) but does not itself generate the complex, coordinated patterns of muscle contraction. *Parasympathetic system* - The **parasympathetic nervous system**, through nerves like the vagus, generally **stimulates gastrointestinal motility**, but it acts by modulating the intrinsic enteric nervous system. - The local control and generation of specific peristaltic movements are primarily mediated by the enteric nervous system, especially the myenteric plexus.

Q: Cholecystokinin is produced from:

Duodenal mucosa. ***Duodenal mucosa*** - **Cholecystokinin (CCK)** is primarily secreted by **I cells**, which are specialized enteroendocrine cells located in the **mucosa of the duodenum** and jejunum. - The release of CCK is stimulated by the presence of **fatty acids** and **amino acids** in the small intestine. *Hepatocyte* - **Hepatocytes** are the main functional cells of the liver, responsible for bile production, metabolism, and detoxification. - They **do not produce regulatory hormones** like cholecystokinin. *Gastric mucosa* - The **gastric mucosa** primarily produces **gastrin**, hydrochloric acid, and pepsinogen, which are involved in gastric digestion. - It does **not secrete cholecystokinin**, which is involved in stimulating gallbladder contraction and pancreatic enzyme release. *Epithelial cells of distal common bile duct* - The **epithelial cells of the common bile duct** are involved in bile transport and modification, but **not in hormone production**. - Their primary role is to line the duct and contribute to the composition of bile.

Q: Which transport process is mediated by carriers and occurs against the concentration gradient?

Active transport. ***Active transport*** - **Active transport** systems use carrier proteins to move molecules across a membrane **against their concentration gradient**, requiring **metabolic energy** (e.g., from ATP hydrolysis). - This process is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis, accumulating specific substances, and establishing ion gradients. *Facilitated diffusion* - **Facilitated diffusion** also uses **carrier proteins**, but it moves substances **down their concentration gradient**, thus **not requiring metabolic energy**. - It increases the rate of diffusion for molecules that cannot easily cross the lipid bilayer, like glucose. *Osmosis* - **Osmosis** is the movement of **water molecules** across a selectively permeable membrane **down their water potential gradient**, driven by solute concentration differences, and does **not involve carrier proteins**. - This process equalizes solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane. *Endocytosis* - **Endocytosis** is a bulk transport mechanism where cells **engulf substances** from outside by forming vesicles from the plasma membrane; it's a form of active transport but **does not typically involve specific carrier proteins** embedded in the membrane for individual molecules. - This process is used for taking in larger molecules, particles, or even other cells.

Q: Inotropic effect of thyroid hormone is by ?

Enhancement of Catecholamines. ***Enhancement of Catecholamines*** - Thyroid hormones **potentiate the effects of catecholamines** (like adrenaline and noradrenaline) on the heart, leading to increased heart rate and contractility, which is an **inotropic effect**. - This occurs by increasing the number and sensitivity of **beta-adrenergic receptors** on cardiac muscle cells. *Membrane receptors* - While thyroid hormones do have some rapid, non-genomic effects that may involve **membrane receptors**, their primary and well-established inotropic effect is mediated indirectly through catecholamine sensitivity. - The classic action of thyroid hormones is via intracellular receptors that modulate gene expression, not direct membrane receptor signaling for inotropic effects. *cAMP* - **cAMP** is a common second messenger for many hormones, particularly those acting via G protein-coupled receptors. - While catecholamines themselves act through cAMP to exert their cardiac effects, thyroid hormones *enhance the action* of catecholamines rather than directly using cAMP as their primary inotropic mechanism. *cGMP* - **cGMP** is a second messenger often associated with nitric oxide signaling and vasodilation, contributing to cGMP-dependent protein kinases. - It is not the primary mediator for the *positive inotropic effect* of thyroid hormones on the heart.

Q: What is the nature of the relationship between insulin and glucose concentration in the human body?

Sigmoidal. ***Sigmoidal*** - The relationship between insulin and glucose concentration is best described as **sigmoidal**, characterized by a slow initial rise in insulin secretion at low glucose levels, followed by a steep increase at physiological glucose concentrations, and then a plateau at very high glucose levels. - This shape reflects the **beta cell's sensitivity to glucose**, where a minimal threshold of glucose is required to trigger insulin release, and then a maximal release capacity is reached. *Linear* - A **linear relationship** would imply that for every unit increase in glucose, there is a constant, proportional increase in insulin secretion, which is not physiologically accurate. - While insulin secretion does increase with glucose, the rate of increase varies significantly across different glucose concentrations. *Hyperbola* - A **hyperbolic relationship** typically suggests a rapid initial response that then gradually plateaus, often seen in enzyme kinetics. - While there is a plateau in insulin secretion at high glucose levels, the initial phase is not as rapid or proportionally inverse as a hyperbolic function would suggest. *Bell Shaped* - A **bell-shaped curve** describes a relationship where there is an optimal point, and deviations in either direction lead to a decrease in the response (e.g., enzyme activity vs. pH). - This is not characteristic of insulin secretion, as insulin levels generally continue to rise or plateau at higher glucose concentrations and do not decrease beyond an optimal point.

Q: Which of the following statements about insulin-mediated transport of glucose is correct?

Seen in adipose tissue. ***Seen in adipose tissue*** - **Adipose tissue** and **skeletal muscle** are the primary sites where glucose uptake from the bloodstream is significantly enhanced by insulin. - Insulin stimulates the translocation of **GLUT4 transporters** to the cell membrane in these tissues, increasing glucose entry. *Occurs primarily in the brain* - Glucose uptake into the **brain** is largely **insulin-independent**, primarily mediated by **GLUT1** and **GLUT3 transporters**. - The brain requires a constant supply of glucose and does not rely on insulin to facilitate its entry. *Via GLUT-2* - **GLUT2** is a **low-affinity, high-capacity** glucose transporter primarily found in the **liver**, **pancreatic beta cells**, kidneys, and small intestine. - It allows for rapid equilibration of glucose across membranes but is not directly involved in the **insulin-mediated uptake** seen in peripheral tissues. *Main mechanism in RBCs* - **Red blood cells (RBCs)** primarily use **GLUT1** for glucose transport, which is an **insulin-independent** process. - RBCs do not contain mitochondria and rely on glycolysis for energy, so they require a continuous, insulin-independent supply of glucose.

Q: Which of the following is not a component of a mature sperm cell?

Endoplasmic reticulum. ***Endoplasmic reticulum*** - The **endoplasmic reticulum** is prominent in spermatogonia and spermatocytes but largely absent in **mature sperm** as organelles are shed during spermiogenesis to reduce cell volume. - Its primary functions of protein synthesis and lipid metabolism are not required in a terminally differentiated, motile cell like a mature sperm. *Golgi apparatus* - The **Golgi apparatus** reorganizes during spermiogenesis to form the **acrosome**, which is a crucial structure for fertilization. - While the distinct Golgi stacks are not present, its modified derivative, the acrosome, is an essential component. *Mitochondria* - **Mitochondria** are abundant in the midpiece of the sperm tail, arranged in a spiral sheath. - They are vital for generating the **ATP** required for the flagellum's motility, enabling the sperm to swim. *Lysosome* - Although typical lysosomes are not found, the **acrosome** of the sperm is considered a modified lysosome. - The acrosome contains **hydrolytic enzymes** similar to lysosomes, which are critical for penetrating the egg's outer layers during fertilization.

Q: Acrosome reaction is seen in?

Fertilization. ***Fertilization*** - The **acrosome reaction** is a crucial event that occurs when a **spermatozoon** comes into contact with the **zona pellucida** surrounding the oocyte. - This reaction involves the release of **hydrolytic enzymes** from the acrosome, which are essential for the sperm to penetrate the zona pellucida and fuse with the oocyte membrane. *Spermatogenesis* - **Spermatogenesis** is the process of sperm formation in the testes, involving meiosis and spermiogenesis. - While it produces the sperm cell with an acrosome, the **acrosome reaction itself does not occur** during this developmental stage. *Oogenesis* - **Oogenesis** is the process of egg cell formation in the ovaries. - This process is entirely **separate from sperm function** and does not involve the acrosome or the acrosome reaction. *Menstruation* - **Menstruation** is the monthly shedding of the uterine lining in females when fertilization does not occur. - This process is part of the female reproductive cycle and has **no direct involvement with sperm or the acrosome reaction**.

Question 1

Secretion of bile out of hepatocytes occurs via?

Accepted Answer

Active transport

Answer

Passive diffusion

Answer

Facilitated diffusion

Answer

Osmosis

Question 2

Intestinal absorption of calcium is mainly increased by?

Accepted Answer

Calcitriol

Answer

Parathormone

Answer

Glucocorticoids

Answer

ACTH

Question 3

Small intestinal peristalsis is controlled by :

Accepted Answer

Myenteric plexus

Answer

Meissner's plexus

Answer

Vagus nerve

Answer

Parasympathetic system

Question 4

Cholecystokinin is produced from:

Accepted Answer

Duodenal mucosa

Answer

Hepatocyte

Answer

Gastric mucosa

Answer

Epithelial cells of distal common bile duct

Question 5

Which transport process is mediated by carriers and occurs against the concentration gradient?

Accepted Answer

Active transport

Answer

Facilitated diffusion

Answer

Osmosis

Answer

Endocytosis

Question 6

Inotropic effect of thyroid hormone is by ?

Accepted Answer

Enhancement of Catecholamines

Answer

Membrane receptors

Answer

cAMP

Answer

cGMP

Question 7

What is the nature of the relationship between insulin and glucose concentration in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Sigmoidal

Answer

Linear

Answer

Hyperbola

Answer

Bell Shaped

Question 8

Which of the following statements about insulin-mediated transport of glucose is correct?

Accepted Answer

Seen in adipose tissue

Answer

Via GLUT-2

Answer

Main mechanism in RBCs

Answer

Occurs primarily in the brain

Question 9

Which of the following is not a component of a mature sperm cell?

Accepted Answer

Endoplasmic reticulum

Answer

Lysosome

Answer

Golgi apparatus

Answer

Mitochondria

Question 10

Acrosome reaction is seen in?

Accepted Answer

Fertilization

Answer

Spermatogenesis

Answer

Oogenesis

Answer

Menstruation

NEET-PG 2015 — Physiology