Physiology Exam Questions

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Questions and Answers

A person experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure while standing up. Which of the following mechanisms would be the most immediate compensatory response?

Increased parasympathetic nervous system activity
Increased sympathetic nervous system activity (correct)
Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
Increased secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)

Damage to the cerebellum would most likely result in which of the following deficits?

Inability to experience emotions
Impaired coordination and balance (correct)
Loss of the ability to understand language
Loss of short-term memory

Which of the following best describes the role of the hypothalamus in hormonal regulation?

Directly stimulating target tissues via motor neurons
Controlling blood glucose levels through insulin secretion
Releasing hormones that control the anterior pituitary gland (correct)
Regulating blood calcium levels through calcitonin secretion

A researcher is studying a neuron and observes that it consistently fails to reach threshold, even with significant stimulation. Which of the following is the most probable cause?

There is an increased influx of chloride ions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In a negative feedback loop regulating body temperature, which of the following represents the effector?

Sweat glands (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely effect of damage to the dorsal root ganglia?

Loss of sensation (B) Signup and view all the answers

Following a car accident, a patient reports being unable to feel touch on their left arm, but motor function is normal. Where is the most likely location of the injury?

The dorsal column of the spinal cord on the left side (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a key difference between the anterior and posterior pituitary glands?

The anterior pituitary produces its own hormones, while the posterior pituitary stores hormones produced by the hypothalamus. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why are steroid hormones able to directly influence gene expression in target cells, unlike peptide hormones?

Steroid hormones are lipophilic and can cross the cell membrane to bind to intracellular receptors. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A person is diagnosed with a condition that causes a chronic overproduction of cortisol. Which set of symptoms would most likely be observed in this patient?

Decreased bone density, increased blood glucose, and suppressed immune function (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements via skeletal muscles; includes pathways like the corticospinal tract.

Autonomic Nervous System

Regulates involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate, digestion) through sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) branches.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream to target cells, influencing various physiological processes.

Feedback Mechanism

A regulatory mechanism where the output of a system influences its own activity; negative feedback reduces change and maintains stability, while positive feedback amplifies change.