Nerve and Muscle Physiology Practice Questions

Q: What best describes step 3 in the given diagram?

Efflux of K ions. ***Efflux of K ions*** - Step 3 represents the **repolarization** phase of the action potential. This is caused by the opening of voltage-gated **K+ channels** and the inactivation of voltage-gated Na+ channels. - The opening of these channels allows a rapid **efflux** (outward flow) of positively charged K+ ions, which makes the membrane potential decrease from its positive peak back towards the negative resting potential. *Efflux of Na ions* - An efflux of Na+ ions is primarily driven by the **Na+/K+ pump** to maintain the resting potential over time, not to cause the rapid repolarization seen in step 3. - The significant movement of Na+ during the action potential is an **influx** during depolarization (step 2), not an efflux. *Influx of Na ions* - The influx of Na+ ions through voltage-gated channels is responsible for the **depolarization** phase (step 2), the rapid rising phase of the action potential. - During step 3, the voltage-gated **Na+ channels are inactivated**, preventing the influx of Na+ ions and allowing repolarization to occur. *Influx of K ions* - K+ ions move **outward** (efflux) during repolarization, not inward. - An influx of K+ would make the membrane potential more negative, but this is not the mechanism of repolarization in step 3.

Q: Which of the following changes occurs during muscle contraction while exercising, as shown in the image?

I length decrease. ***I length decrease*** - The **I band** is the region of the sarcomere containing only **thin filaments (actin)**. During contraction, these thin filaments slide over the thick filaments, causing the I band to shorten. - The shortening of the I band, along with the H zone, results in the **Z lines** moving closer together, which constitutes the shortening of the entire **sarcomere**. *M length increase* - The **M line** is a protein structure in the center of the H zone that anchors the **thick filaments (myosin)**. It is a line, not a band, and its own length does not change. - The region surrounding the M line, the **H zone**, actually *decreases* in width during contraction, it does not increase. *A length decrease* - The **A band** represents the entire length of the **thick myosin filaments**. The length of these filaments does not change during the sliding filament process of muscle contraction. - Because the thick filaments do not shorten, the length of the **A band remains constant** during both muscle contraction and relaxation. *M length increase and I decrease* - This option is partially correct, as the **I band** does decrease in length during contraction. - However, it is incorrect because the **M line** does not increase in length; it remains constant. The overall statement is therefore false.

Q: Calculate the tetanizing frequency based on the contraction dynamics of gastrocnemius muscle of frog shown in the image?

20-25 Hz. **20-25 Hz** - Tetanizing frequency (or fusion frequency) is the stimulation rate at which individual muscle twitches fuse to produce a **smooth, sustained contraction** (tetanus). - For the **frog gastrocnemius muscle**, a common model in physiology, this frequency typically falls within the **20-25 Hz range**. *10-15 Hz* - At this lower frequency, the muscle would likely exhibit **incomplete tetanus** or summation, where individual twitches are still discernible, but tension is increasing. - This range is generally insufficient to achieve a **smooth, fused tetanic contraction** in the frog gastrocnemius. *15-20 Hz* - This range might produce **treppe** or early stages of incomplete tetanus, where successive contractions are slightly stronger, but the relaxation phase is still partially visible between stimuli. - While closer to the tetanizing frequency, it's generally not high enough to achieve **complete fusion** for the frog gastrocnemius. *30-35 Hz* - While this frequency would certainly result in a **fused tetanic contraction**, it's higher than the minimum required for the frog gastrocnemius, which means the muscle is already in complete tetanus at a lower frequency. - Using excessively high frequencies beyond the fusion frequency does not significantly increase tension and can lead to **faster fatigue**.

Q: In the process shown below stretch stimulus is mediated by which of the following receptors?

Muscle spindle. ***Muscle spindle*** - The image depicts a **muscle**, and the "Steady stretch" stimulus clearly shows an increase in muscle tension followed by sustained neural firing, characteristic of a **stretch reflex**. - **Muscle spindles** are proprioceptors located within skeletal muscles that detect changes in muscle length and the rate of change of length, playing a crucial role in the stretch reflex. *Merkel's disc* - **Merkel's discs** are mechanoreceptors located in the basal layer of the epidermis, primarily responsible for detecting sustained light touch and pressure. - They are not involved in sensing muscle stretch. *Meissner's corpuscle* - **Meissner's corpuscles** are rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors found in the dermal papillae, specialized for detecting light touch and low-frequency vibration. - They are cutaneous receptors and do not mediate muscle stretch. *Pacinian corpuscle* - **Pacinian corpuscles** are rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors located deep in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, sensitive to deep pressure and high-frequency vibration. - They are not responsible for detecting muscle stretch.

Q: Which ion plays a role in the process shown below? (Recent NEET Pattern 2018)

Calcium. ***Calcium*** - **Calcium ions (Ca2+)** are the primary trigger for **exocytosis**, binding to **synaptotagmin** proteins on synaptic vesicles to initiate membrane fusion. - Ca2+ influx activates the **SNARE complex** formation, allowing vesicles to fuse with the plasma membrane and release neurotransmitters or other cellular contents. *Potassium* - **Potassium ions (K+)** are primarily responsible for maintaining the **resting membrane potential** and **repolarization** during action potentials. - While essential for neuronal function, K+ does not directly trigger **vesicle fusion** or exocytosis processes. *Sodium* - **Sodium ions (Na+)** are crucial for **action potential depolarization** and maintaining **electrochemical gradients** across cell membranes. - Na+ influx initiates nerve impulses but does not serve as the direct trigger for **vesicle release** during exocytosis. *Magnesium* - **Magnesium ions (Mg2+)** function as essential **cofactors** for numerous enzymes and play roles in **ATP metabolism** and **protein synthesis**. - Although Mg2+ can modulate some cellular processes, it is not the primary ion responsible for triggering **exocytotic release**.

Q: Sequence the events in neuromuscular action potential conduction: 1. Sodium channels open in the end plate 2. Calcium enters at the nerve terminal 3. Release of acetylcholine

$2 \rightarrow 3 \rightarrow 1$ . ***Correct: $2 \rightarrow 3 \rightarrow 1$*** - **Calcium entry at the nerve terminal** is the initial trigger - when an action potential reaches the presynaptic nerve terminal, voltage-gated calcium channels open, allowing Ca²⁺ influx - **Acetylcholine release** follows - the increased intracellular calcium causes synaptic vesicles containing acetylcholine to fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release the neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft - **Sodium channels open in the end plate** last - acetylcholine binds to nicotinic receptors on the motor end plate, opening ligand-gated sodium channels, which depolarizes the muscle membrane and triggers muscle contraction *Incorrect: $1 \rightarrow 2 \rightarrow 3$* - Places sodium channel opening first, which is physiologically impossible - Sodium channels at the motor end plate only open in response to acetylcholine binding - Cannot occur before acetylcholine is released from the nerve terminal *Incorrect: $1 \rightarrow 3 \rightarrow 2$* - Incorrectly sequences sodium channel opening before calcium entry - Violates the fundamental principle that calcium influx is required for neurotransmitter release - Acetylcholine cannot be released without prior calcium entry *Incorrect: $3 \rightarrow 2 \rightarrow 1$* - Places acetylcholine release before calcium entry, which is impossible - Calcium-triggered exocytosis is an absolute requirement for neurotransmitter release - Without calcium influx, vesicles cannot fuse with the presynaptic membrane

Q: Arrange the following parts of sarcomere from periphery to center. 1. Z line 2. M line 3. A band 4. H zone

1,3,4,2. ***1,3,4,2*** - The **Z line** is found at the **periphery** of the sarcomere, defining its boundaries and anchoring the **actin filaments**. - Moving inwards, the **A band** is next, representing the entire length of the **myosin filament**, which may also overlap with actin. - The **H zone** is located within the A band, comprising only **myosin filaments** without actin overlap. - Finally, the **M line** is at the **center** of the sarcomere, bisecting the H zone and anchoring the myosin filaments. *2,3,4,1* - This sequence is incorrect because the **M line** is at the **center** and the **Z line** is at the **periphery**, which is the reverse of the expected order for from periphery to center. - Such an arrangement would place the innermost structure first and outermost last, not reflecting the correct spatial organisation. *4,2,3,1* - This order is incorrect as the **H zone** and **M line** are more central, while the **Z line** is peripheral. - Placing structures like the H zone and M line at the beginning does not align with arrangement from periphery to center. *3,1,4,2* - This option is incorrect because the **A band** includes both actin and myosin filaments, while the **Z line** is at the periphery of the sarcomere. - The given order does not represent a progression from the periphery to the center of the sarcomere.

Question 1

What best describes step 3 in the given diagram?

Accepted Answer

Efflux of K ions

Answer

Efflux of Na ions

Answer

Influx of Na ions

Answer

Influx of K ions

Question 2

Which of the following changes occurs during muscle contraction while exercising, as shown in the image?

Accepted Answer

I length decrease

Answer

M length increase

Answer

M length increase and I decrease

Answer

A length decrease

Question 3

A single muscle twitch lasts 40 milliseconds. What is the minimum tetanization frequency required to produce a sustained (fused) contraction in this muscle?

Accepted Answer

25 Hz

Answer

10 Hz

Answer

20 Hz

Answer

40 Hz

Question 4

The following skeletal muscle recording shows presence of: (Recent NEET Pattern 2016-17)

Accepted Answer

A = Twitch, B = Summation, C = Incomplete tetanus, D = Complete tetanus

Answer

A = Summation, B = Twitch, C = Complete tetanus, D = Incomplete tetanus

Answer

A = Twitch, B = Incomplete tetanus, C = Summation, D = Complete tetanus

Answer

A = Incomplete tetanus, B = Complete tetanus, C = Twitch, D = Summation

Question 5

Calculate the tetanizing frequency based on the contraction dynamics of gastrocnemius muscle of frog shown in the image?

Accepted Answer

20-25 Hz

Answer

10-15 Hz

Answer

15-20 Hz

Answer

30-35 Hz

Question 6

In the process shown below stretch stimulus is mediated by which of the following receptors?

Accepted Answer

Muscle spindle

Answer

Merkel's disc

Answer

Meissner's corpuscle

Answer

Pacinian corpuscle

Question 7

Which ion plays a role in the process shown below? (Recent NEET Pattern 2018)

Accepted Answer

Calcium

Answer

Potassium

Answer

Sodium

Answer

Magnesium

Question 8

Sequence the events in neuromuscular action potential conduction:
1. Sodium channels open in the end plate
2. Calcium enters at the nerve terminal
3. Release of acetylcholine

Accepted Answer

$2 \rightarrow 3 \rightarrow 1$

Answer

$1 \rightarrow 2 \rightarrow 3$

Answer

$1 \rightarrow 3 \rightarrow 2$

Answer

$3 \rightarrow 2 \rightarrow 1$

Question 9

Assertion: RMP depends on proteins and phosphate ions.
Reason: Diffusion potential can be calculated using nernst equation.
Choose the best statement regarding the assertion and reason.

Accepted Answer

Both true, Reason is not the explanation of assertion

Answer

Assertion false, Reason true

Answer

Both true, Reason is the explanation of assertion

Answer

Assertion true, Reason false

Question 10

Arrange the following parts of sarcomere from periphery to center.

1. Z line
2. M line
3. A band
4. H zone

Accepted Answer

1,3,4,2

Answer

2,3,4,1

Answer

4,2,3,1

Answer

3,1,4,2

Nerve and Muscle Physiology — MCQs

Nerve and Muscle Physiology — MCQs

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