NEET-PG 2012 - Physiology Practice Questions

Q: Insensible water loss per day is ?

1000 ml. ***1000 ml*** - **Insensible water loss** occurs through the skin (evaporation) and respiratory tract (exhalation) without conscious perception. - The typical daily insensible water loss in an adult is approximately **800-1000 ml/day**. - **Breakdown**: Skin evaporation (~400-500 ml) + Respiratory tract (~300-400 ml) = **~900-1000 ml total**. - **1000 ml** is the standard value cited in major physiology textbooks (Guyton & Hall, Ganong) and is the most commonly accepted answer for NEET PG examinations. *100 ml* - This value is significantly **lower** than the actual insensible water loss, which occurs continuously throughout the day. - Such a low volume would imply negligible evaporation and respiratory loss, which is not physiologically accurate. *300 ml* - While greater than 100 ml, 300 ml is still **far below** the typical range for daily insensible water loss. - This amount represents only about one-third of the actual insensible losses from the skin and respiratory system combined. *700 ml* - Although this value is sometimes mentioned in literature, it is at the **lower end** of the physiological range. - The more widely accepted standard value for insensible water loss in a healthy adult under normal conditions is **900-1000 ml/day**. - 700 ml would underestimate the normal daily insensible losses.

Q: Which of the following factors increases the rate of particle diffusion across the cell membrane?

Maintaining a concentration gradient across the membrane. ***Maintaining a concentration gradient across the membrane*** - **Diffusion** is the net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, driven by the **concentration gradient**. - A steeper gradient means a larger difference in concentration, leading to a faster rate of net diffusion until equilibrium is reached. - According to **Fick's Law**, the rate of diffusion is directly proportional to the concentration gradient across the membrane. *Decreasing the lipid solubility of the substance* - The cell membrane is primarily composed of a **lipid bilayer**, meaning that substances with **higher lipid solubility** can more easily pass through it via simple diffusion. - Decreasing lipid solubility would **hinder** the substance's ability to cross the membrane, thus slowing down or preventing diffusion. *Increasing the size of the opening in the cell membrane* - While increasing channel or pore diameter can increase diffusion rate for **channel-mediated transport**, this option is less comprehensive than maintaining a concentration gradient. - The concentration gradient is the **primary driving force** for diffusion across all types of membrane transport (simple diffusion through lipid bilayer, channel-mediated, and carrier-mediated). - Channel size is relevant only for specific facilitated diffusion pathways, not for general particle diffusion. *Increasing the size of the particle* - **Smaller particles** generally diffuse faster than larger particles because they have higher diffusion coefficients and can more easily navigate through the membrane. - According to the **Stokes-Einstein equation**, diffusion rate is inversely proportional to particle size. - Increasing particle size would therefore **decrease** the rate of diffusion.

Q: What is the process by which water moves from the extracellular space to the intracellular space?

Osmosis. ***Osmosis*** - **Osmosis** is the movement of water across a **semipermeable membrane** from an area of higher water concentration (lower solute concentration) to an area of lower water concentration (higher solute concentration). - In the context of fluid shifts, if the **extracellular fluid** becomes hypotonic relative to the **intracellular fluid**, water will move into the cells to equalize the solute concentration. *Diffusion* - **Diffusion** refers to the net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, down their **concentration gradient**. - While water molecules can diffuse, **osmosis** specifically describes the net movement of water across a membrane due to **solute concentration differences**, which is the precise mechanism for water moving between fluid compartments. *Filtration* - **Filtration** is the process by which water and solutes move across a membrane due to a **pressure gradient**, typically a **hydrostatic pressure gradient**. - This process is crucial in the kidneys for forming filtrate, but it is not the primary mechanism for water movement between the intra- and extracellular spaces based on solute concentration. *Active transport* - **Active transport** involves the movement of molecules across a membrane against their **concentration gradient**, requiring **energy expenditure** (e.g., ATP). - Water movement between fluid compartments is generally a passive process, relying on **osmotic gradients** rather than direct energy input to pump water molecules.

Q: Which of the following statements regarding the lower esophageal sphincter is TRUE?

It relaxes in response to swallowing.. ***It relaxes in response to swallowing.*** - The **lower esophageal sphincter (LES)** normally maintains high resting tone to prevent gastroesophageal reflux but **relaxes completely during swallowing** to allow passage of food into the stomach. - This relaxation (called **receptive relaxation**) is mediated by **vagal nerve stimulation** through release of nitric oxide (NO) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). - The relaxation occurs **before the peristaltic wave arrives**, allowing coordinated transit of the bolus. *It remains contracted during swallowing to prevent regurgitation.* - This is **incorrect** - the LES must **relax during swallowing** to allow food passage into the stomach. - Failure of LES relaxation during swallowing is the pathophysiology of **achalasia**, leading to dysphagia. - The LES only maintains contraction between swallows to prevent reflux. *Its tone is primarily influenced by the myogenic properties of the smooth muscle.* - While the LES contains smooth muscle with intrinsic myogenic properties, its tone is **predominantly regulated by neural and hormonal factors**. - **Neural control:** Vagal cholinergic pathways (increase tone), non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) pathways with NO and VIP (decrease tone). - **Hormonal factors:** Gastrin increases tone, while progesterone, CCK, and secretin decrease tone. *It contracts in response to gastric distension.* - This is **incorrect** - gastric distension actually triggers **transient LES relaxations (TLESRs)**, which are the primary mechanism of physiological reflux. - TLESRs are vagally mediated reflex responses that allow venting of gastric air. - Increased LES contraction in response to gastric distension would be counterproductive.

Q: What is the difference between the amount of Oxygen consumed and Carbon Dioxide produced per minute at rest?

50 ml/min. ***50 ml/min*** - The body typically consumes about **250 ml/min of oxygen** at rest and produces approximately **200 ml/min of carbon dioxide**. - The difference between oxygen consumed and carbon dioxide produced is therefore **50 ml/min** (250 - 200 = 50). - This difference exists because the **respiratory quotient (RQ)** is approximately **0.8** (200/250), meaning less CO2 is produced than O2 consumed on a molar basis. *20 ml/min* - This value is **too low** and underestimates the physiological difference between oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. - With typical O2 consumption of 250 ml/min and RQ of 0.8, the difference cannot be this small. *75 ml/min* - This value represents an **overestimation** of the difference between oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production under normal resting conditions. - This would imply an RQ of approximately 0.7, which is lower than the typical mixed diet RQ of 0.8. *100 ml/min* - This value is a significant **overestimation** of the physiological difference. - This would suggest an RQ of 0.6, which is not physiologically normal for resting conditions on a mixed diet.

Q: What is the average daily volume of pancreatic secretion in humans?

1.5 L. ***1.5 L*** - The **pancreas** produces approximately **1.5 liters (1200-1500 mL) of pancreatic juice** daily in humans. - This secretion is rich in **digestive enzymes** (amylase, lipase, proteases) and **bicarbonate** for neutralization of gastric acid in the duodenum. - This is the standard value cited in **major physiology textbooks** (Ganong, Guyton & Hall). *2.5 L* - **2.5 liters** overestimates the typical daily pancreatic secretion volume. - This value may represent **combined secretions** from multiple sources or confuse pancreatic output with total upper GI secretions. - Normal pancreatic secretion ranges from **1-2 liters**, making 2.5 L above the physiological range. *5.0 L* - **5.0 liters** represents an abnormally high volume for daily pancreatic secretion alone. - This volume is closer to the **total daily secretions** from stomach, pancreas, and bile combined. - Not consistent with **normal pancreatic physiology**. *10 L* - **10 liters** is grossly excessive for pancreatic secretion and represents approximately the **total volume of all gastrointestinal secretions** (saliva, gastric, pancreatic, bile, intestinal) combined daily. - This is **not physiologically realistic** for pancreatic output alone.

Q: What is the duration of the second heart sound (S2)?

0.08 sec. ***0.08 sec*** - The second heart sound (S2) is composed of two components: A2 (aortic valve closure) and P2 (pulmonic valve closure). The normal duration of S2, encompassing both components, is approximately **0.08 seconds**. - This short duration reflects the rapid closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves at the beginning of **diastole**. *0.15sec* - A duration of **0.15 seconds** for S2 is significantly longer than normal, which could indicate abnormal valve function or conditions causing delayed valve closure. - Such prolonged duration might be observed in conditions like **severe pulmonic stenosis** or **pulmonic hypertension**, which are not the typical duration of a healthy S2. *0.12 sec* - A duration of **0.12 seconds** is also longer than the typical normal range for S2. - While still shorter than 0.15 seconds, it could suggest subtle delays in valve closure or splitting that exceeds the usual physiological splitting. *0.1 sec* - A duration of **0.1 seconds** is slightly prolonged but generally falls within a range that might be considered borderline or indicative of minimal physiological variations. - However, in typical healthy individuals, the S2 duration is closer to 0.08 seconds, making 0.1 seconds less precise for the most common duration.

Q: Which tract is responsible for the loss of proprioception and fine touch?

Dorsal column. ***Dorsal column*** - The **dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway** is responsible for transmitting **fine touch**, **vibration**, and **proprioception** from the body to the cerebral cortex. - Damage to this tract (e.g., in **tabes dorsalis** or **vitamin B12 deficiency**) leads to a loss of these sensations. *Anterior spinothalamic tract* - This tract primarily conveys crude touch and pressure sensations. - While it carries tactile information, it does not transmit the fine discriminative touch or proprioception associated with the dorsal columns. *Lateral spinothalamic tract* - This pathway is responsible for transmitting **pain** and **temperature** sensations. - It does not play a role in proprioception or fine touch. *Corticospinal tract* - The **corticospinal tract** is a **motor pathway** responsible for voluntary movement. - It has no role in transmitting sensory information such as proprioception or fine touch.

Q: Which of the following statements is true regarding the function of the spinocerebellar tract?

Smoothens and coordinates movements. ***Smoothens and coordinates movements*** - The spinocerebellar tract provides the cerebellum with **unconscious proprioceptive information** from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs. - This information allows the cerebellum to compare intended movements with actual movements, thereby **smoothing and coordinating voluntary motor activity**. *Involved in planning and programming motor activities* - This function is primarily attributed to the **cerebral cortex** (e.g., premotor and supplementary motor areas) and the **basal ganglia**. - While the cerebellum is involved in motor learning and fine-tuning, the initial **planning and programming** of complex movements are cortical functions. *Involved in maintaining equilibrium* - Maintaining equilibrium and balance is primarily a function of the **vestibulocerebellum** (flocculonodular lobe), which receives input from the vestibular system. - While the spinocerebellum indirectly influences balance by coordinating limb movements, its direct role is less pronounced than that of the vestibulocerebellum. *Facilitates learning through vestibulo-ocular reflex changes* - This function is specific to the **vestibulocerebellum** and is crucial for adapting the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) to maintain visual stability during head movements. - The spinocerebellar tract's primary role is proprioception for limb coordination, not VOR adaptation.

Q: What happens to the concentration of inulin as fluid passes through the Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)?

Concentration of inulin increases. ***Concentration of inulin increases*** - Inulin is **freely filtered** at the glomerulus and is neither reabsorbed nor secreted along the renal tubule, making it an excellent marker for **glomerular filtration rate (GFR)**. - As water is reabsorbed from the PCT, the volume of tubular fluid decreases, causing the concentration of **unreabsorbed solutes**, like inulin, to increase. *Concentration of urea remains constant* - Urea is **reabsorbed** along the tubule, though passively; its concentration typically **increases** initially in the PCT due to water reabsorption, but then decreases as some is reabsorbed. - The statement is incorrect because urea concentration changes significantly throughout the nephron, particularly increasing as water is reabsorbed and then decreasing with some reabsorption. *Concentration of HCO3- increases* - The majority (approximately 80-90%) of **bicarbonate (HCO3-)** is reabsorbed in the PCT, primarily through its conversion to CO2 within the tubular lumen and then back to HCO3- intracellularly. - Therefore, the concentration of HCO3- in the tubular fluid actually **decreases** significantly as fluid passes through the PCT. *Concentration of Na+ decreases* - **Sodium (Na+)** is actively reabsorbed along the entire nephron, with about 65-70% reabsorbed in the PCT. - While Na+ is reabsorbed, water follows passively, so its concentration in the tubular fluid remains relatively **iso-osmotic** with plasma, meaning its concentration does not significantly decrease as fluid passes through the PCT, remaining fairly constant.

Question 1

Insensible water loss per day is ?

Accepted Answer

1000 ml

Answer

100 ml

Answer

700 ml

Answer

300 ml

Question 2

Which of the following factors increases the rate of particle diffusion across the cell membrane?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a concentration gradient across the membrane

Answer

Decreasing the lipid solubility of the substance

Answer

Increasing the size of the opening in the cell membrane

Answer

Increasing the size of the particle

Question 3

What is the process by which water moves from the extracellular space to the intracellular space?

Accepted Answer

Osmosis

Answer

Diffusion

Answer

Filtration

Answer

Active transport

Question 4

Which of the following statements regarding the lower esophageal sphincter is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

It relaxes in response to swallowing.

Answer

It remains contracted during swallowing to prevent regurgitation.

Answer

Its tone is primarily influenced by the myogenic properties of the smooth muscle.

Answer

It contracts in response to gastric distension.

Question 5

What is the difference between the amount of Oxygen consumed and Carbon Dioxide produced per minute at rest?

Accepted Answer

50 ml/min

Answer

20 ml/min

Answer

75 ml/min

Answer

100 ml/min

Question 6

What is the average daily volume of pancreatic secretion in humans?

Accepted Answer

1.5 L

Answer

5.0 L

Answer

10 L

Answer

2.5 L

Question 7

What is the duration of the second heart sound (S2)?

Accepted Answer

0.08 sec

Answer

0.15 sec

Answer

0.1 sec

Answer

0.12 sec

Question 8

Which tract is responsible for the loss of proprioception and fine touch?

Accepted Answer

Dorsal column

Answer

Anterior spinothalamic tract

Answer

Lateral spinothalamic tract

Answer

Corticospinal tract

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true regarding the function of the spinocerebellar tract?

Accepted Answer

Smoothens and coordinates movements

Answer

Involved in planning and programming motor activities

Answer

Involved in maintaining equilibrium

Answer

Facilitates learning through vestibulo-ocular reflex changes

Question 10

What happens to the concentration of inulin as fluid passes through the Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)?

Accepted Answer

Concentration of inulin increases

Answer

Concentration of urea remains constant

Answer

Concentration of HCO3- increases

Answer

Concentration of Na+ decreases

NEET-PG 2012 — Physiology