Module 1

Question 1

What is physiology?

Answer 1

The study of how cells, tissues, organs, and systems function in living organisms.

Question 2

Define Homeostasis.

Answer 2

The dynamic constancy of physiological variables despite external changes.

Question 3

Name the three type of muscle cells

Answer 3

Cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle cells.

Question 4

What is the main function of epithelial cells?

Answer 4

Selective secretion, absorption, and protection.

Question 5

Describe a negative feedback mechanism.

Answer 5

A process where a change in a variable is countered to return to a set point.

Question 6

Give an example of positive feedback.

Answer 6

Blood clot formation.

Question 7

What are the components of a reflex arc?

Answer 7

Stimulus, receptor, afferent pathway, integrating centre, efferent pathway, and effector.

Question 8

What is feedforward regulation?

Answer 8

Anticipatory changes in physiological processes to maintain stability.

Question 9

What is the role of hormones in intercellular communication?

Answer 9

Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to affect distant cells.

Question 10

Define gap junction communication.

Answer 10

Direct transfer of molecules between adjacent cells via cytosol linkages.

Question 11

What is a circadian rhythm?

Answer 11

A biological cycle that repeats approximately every 24 hours.

Question 12

How does heatstroke relate to homeostasis?

Answer 12

Disruption of homeostasis due to excessive heat leads to failure in temperature regulation and hydration balance.

Question 13

What are the three main types of connective tissue?

Answer 13

Loose connective tissue, dense connective tissue, and specialized connective tissues like blood, bone, and cartilage.

Question 14

Differentiate between simple and stratified epithelium.

Answer 14

Simple epithelium is one cell layer thick; stratified epithelium has multiple layers.

Question 15

What are the two primary functions of the extracellular matrix (ECM)?

Answer 15

It provides structural scaffolding for cells and transmits information via chemical messengers to regulate cellular activities.

Question 16

Name two types of fibers found in the ECM.

Answer 16

Collagen fibers and elastin fibers.

Question 17

What distinguishes pathophysiology from physiology?

Answer 17

Physiology refers to maintaining homeostasis, while pathophysiology occurs when homeostasis fails.

Question 18

What is dynamic constancy in homeostasis?

Answer 18

Physiological variables fluctuate within a range but remain relatively constant over time.

Question 19

Why does positive feedback not regulate physiological variables?

Answer 19

It amplifies changes, moving a system further from equilibrium.

Question 20

What is the role of an effector in a reflex arc?

Answer 20

It carries out the response to restore homeostasis.

Question 21

How is feedforward regulation different from feedback mechanisms?

Answer 21

Feedforward regulation anticipates changes and adjusts before they occur.

Question 22

Provide an example of an organ system and its components.

Answer 22

The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Question 23

What tissues can compose an organ?

Answer 23

An organ can include epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues.

Question 24

What is the difference between plasma and interstitial fluid?

Answer 24

Plasma is the fluid portion of blood, while interstitial fluid surrounds cells in tissues.

Question 25

What is the total extracellular fluid composed of?

Answer 25

Plasma and interstitial fluid.

Question 26

How do biological rhythms support homeostasis?

Answer 26

They prepare the body for predictable changes, enabling faster homeostatic responses.

Question 27

What is the difference between adaptation and acclimatization?

Answer 27

Adaptation is a genetic trait for survival, while acclimatization is a physiological adjustment to environmental changes.

Question 28

What distinguishes paracrine signaling from endocrine signaling?

Answer 28

Paracrine signaling acts on nearby cells, while endocrine signaling acts on distant cells through the bloodstream.

Question 29

How does juxtacrine signaling differ from other types of communication?

Answer 29

It requires direct contact between adjacent cells.

Question 30

What are the three states of total-body balance for chemical substances?

Answer 30

Negative balance (loss > gain), positive balance (gain > loss), and stable balance (gain = loss).

Question 31

Why is the “pool” concept important in physiology?

Answer 31

It represents the dynamically regulated concentration of substances like glucose in the body.

Question 32

What is the dual role of glands in homeostatic reflexes?

Answer 32

Glands can act as receptors and integrating centers while secreting hormones as effectors.

Question 33

Why can norepinephrine function as both a hormone and a neurotransmitter?

Answer 33

Its effects depend on its mode of release and the target it acts on.

Question 34

In the case of heatstroke, why did the man stop sweating?

Answer 34

The body’s thermoregulatory mechanism failed, disrupting homeostasis.

Question 35

How does fainting relate to disrupted homeostasis?

Answer 35

Low blood pressure and dehydration impaired the body’s ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues

Question 36

The surprise of a phone call at 3:00 am results in an increase in heart rate. This is an example of a

Answer 36

acute change.

Question 37

If an animal permits internal and external conditions to be equal, it is said to show -------------.

Answer 37

conformity

Question 38

Rainbow trout captured and brought into a lab aquarium undergo a chronic adjustment to the conditions in the lab. This process is called --------------.

Answer 38

acclimation

Question 39

During childbirth, muscular contractions acting to expel the fetus from the uterus induces hormonal signals that induce even more intense contractions. This is an example of ----------.

Answer 39

positive feedback.

Question 40

Most of the fluid in the body is located in the

Answer 40

Intracellular compartment

Question 41

How do nonpolar molecules diffuse through the hydrophobic portions of the cell membrane?

Answer 41

Nonpolar molecules diffuse through the membrane because they can dissolve in the fatty acid tails of the lipid bilayer.

Question 42

A paracrine is a chemical factor released by cells that acts on neighboring cells by -----

Answer 42

Diffusing through the extracellular fluid, without entering the bloodstream.

Question 43

What are the functions of cholesterol molecules within a cell membrane?

Answer 43

1. To limit the ordered packing of fatty acids, maintaining membrane fluidity. 2. To form lipid rafts, which are specialized membrane regions. 3.To participate in intracellular signaling.

Question 44

What are parts of the desmosomes ?

Answer 44

1. Dense plaques proteins. 2. Cadherins. 3. Keratin.

Question 45

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in phospholipid tails?

Answer 45

1. Saturated fatty acids: Contain no double bonds between carbon atoms and are fully saturated with hydrogen atoms, resulting in straight tails. 2. Unsaturated fatty acids: Contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, leading to bends of approximately 30 degrees in the tail.