Checklist for Exam 3 – Biology 2424 - Human Physiology
Use this list to help you prepare for exam 3. I will use several of these questions exactly as you see them here on the exam for the
critical thinking/practical application section. Others will be embedded in the multiple choice section of the exam. Some material on
this list may not be covered or may not be listed depending on where we get in lecture. This is a good starting place however.
Remember these will be multiple choice.
1. Jill awakens suddenly to the sound of her alarm clock. Realizing she is late for an appointment with her friend Jack, she jumps to
her feet, feels lightheaded, and faints back on her bed. (a) Physiologically, what probably caused this to happen? (b) What is the name
given to this transient change? (c) Physiologically, what was supposed to happen when she arose from the bed? (d) Why doesn't this
happen all the time?
2. (a) Draw and label and ECG and then (b) correlate the waves of the ECG with what is happening (electrically) in the atria and the
ventricles. (c) Why are there only three electrical events even though there should be four cardiac components? (d) What mechanical
events follow each electrical event?
3. Two drugs used to reduce cardiac output are calcium channels blockers and beta (receptor) blockers. (a) Describe what cardiac
output is (b) what factors can effect it and (c) how these drugs specifically decrease cardiac output. Finally (d) describe what
condition these drugs are used to treat.
4. (a) Explain physiologically how you are able to blow up a balloon using your knowledge of respiratory physiology. Be sure to
describe all the respiratory processes (inspiration/expiration), structures, and pressure changes involved. Then (b) explain briefly how
breathing is regulated and finally (c) describe why ultimately you breathe to maintain homeostasis.
5. (a) Describe what the rennin-angiotensin aldosterone pathway is and (b) how it works to help regulate blood pressure.
6. Many people with chronic hypertension (>140/90) take ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors to lower their blood
pressure. (a) Describe what the ACE enzyme specifically does and (b) why would blocking the activity of this enzyme result in a
lowered blood pressure (Hint: Increased blood volume results in an increased blood pressure. (c) The concentration of what ion is
important in regulating blood volume?
7. Based upon what you know of the ionic basis to sinoatrial node autorythmicity (a) how does parasympathetic input (i.e. ACH) slow
the heart rate? (b) how does sympathetic input (i.e. norepinephrine) cause cardiac acceleration?
8. Two drugs that are used to reduce chronic hypertension are alpha (adrenergic receptor) blockers and beta (adrenergic receptor)
blockers. Knowing the basic principles behind regulation of blood pressure (ie. BP=COX TPR) (a) , describe the physiological basis
to their utilization in lowering blood pressure. (HINT: What types of adrenergic receptors are found: on the heart, on arterioles?)
9. One of the drugs used in Huntsville to kill convicted felons who have been sentenced to death is potassium chloride (KCl). Based
upon what you know about the ionic origin of autorythmicity in sinoatrial node cells, (a) why does a large volume intravenous
injection of potassium chloride stop the heart? (b) What would TEA (tetraethylammonium=potassium channel blocker) do to the
membrane potential (and hence autorythmicity) of sinoatrial node cells?
10. Under increased metabolic demand, the total oxygen utilization of your body may increase by 10-12x yet the output of your heart
increases by a factor of only 5-6x (ie. the output of your heart cannot keep up with the total oxygen demand). To supply oxygen to the
metabolically active tissues, your circulatory system preferentially sends blood to these areas while diminishing blood flow to
“unnecessary” areas. (a) How is this done (ie. what variables governing the bulk flow of a fluid through a tube change over the short
term to allow you to “reroute” blood) and (b) why is this strategy so effective in altering bulk flow?
11. A stab wound victim comes to the ER where you work as a nurse. You notice that a 2” lock-blade knife is nicely lodged in
between the 4 and 5th true ribs. The patient is not bleeding profusely and seems to be okay other than labored breathing. Immediately
you think pneumothorax. (a) Describe what a pneumothorax is and (b) Why does is it causes the lungs to collapse? After the knife is
removed you notice that upon inhalation the air is “sucked” through the hole instead of through the bronchial tree as it should be. (c)
Why is this?
12. (a) What are the three processes of the kidney? (b) Provide a physiological description, and an (c) anatomical location for each.
13. (a) List the components of blood and the (b) functions of each. (c) What is hematopoiesis? (d) Where are blood cells
manufactured? (e) What is the primary hormone stimulates RBC hematopoiesis? (f) Where is this hormone made? (f) What is
thrompoietin? (h) Where is it made? (i) What do colony simtulating factors do? (j) Where are they made?
14. As a means for celebrating the end of the school year a group of intrepid ASU students sets out to backpack across the "Great
Divide" (with altitudes in excess of one mile) of the Rocky Mountains in the Gila National Forest of Southwetsern New Mexico. They
arrive at the trailhead bright and early after a long drive through the night, with neither of them driving for more two hours at a time
while the others slept. Anxious to commune with nature they stretch a bit and set out on the trail, energized with the anticipation of
the adventure that lay ahead. Although they are in excellent physical condition, little more than one day out on the trail they begin to
experience more than the usual amount of exhaustion, aches and pains, muscle cramps, fatigue, frequent headaches, profuse sweating,
and general lethargy. Since they are heading deeper into a true wilderness area several of them decide it might be best to head back to
their vehicles before they reach the half way point of their journey and seek medical attention in the town of Silver City, near the trail
head. Arriving at the ranger station they report their symptoms to a sympathetic ranger. As she listens to their story a reassuring smile
comes over her face and she assures them they have nothing to fear - they will be fine - and can continue their journey after a day or
two of rest in their base camp. The symptoms and circumstances described in this scenario are consistent with a condition commonly
referred to as "High Altitude Sickness". Review the symptoms and answer the following questions:
a) If you could collect a sample of blood from the students how would you expect their level of erythropoietin in the mountains to be
compared to the last day of final exams in San Angelo? Why?
b) Explain from a "blood physiology perspective" why the ranger was correct in saying they would be alright after a day or two of rest
and could continue their journey at that time. (Hint: consider hematocrit changes, plasma volume, and lactic acid and oxygen debt in
skeletal muscle in formulating your answer)
c) Besides the psychological lift everyone experiences after a pleasant vacation, again considering blood physiology and its overall
effect on total body physiology, why would it not be surprising that these students will feel more energized and "really good" for at
least a day or two after they return from the mountains? (This is essentially the same principle applied to blood doping where athletes
receive transfusions of packed RBC's before a competition and/or why it is becoming extremely popular for serious athletes such as
olympians to train for competition at high altitudes)
d) Besides being illegal for competition - "blood doping" as described above is an extremely dangerous and risky method to enhance
physical performance by an athlete. Using what you know about blood physiology the heart, and cardiovascular dynamics explain why
this is so.
15. When the body experiences any significant water (or blood) loss a resultant decrease in blood pressure also occurs. (a) Why does
this happen? (b) How would the urinary and cardiovascular system would work together to restore blood pressure by initiating water
conservation mechanisms. Finally, (c) decide whether or not the kidneys can replace lost water volume or prevent all water loss. (d)
What is one of the first things a health-care practitioner would do to help increase the patient’s blood pressure.
16. Many of you will be on the front lines of health care as coaches, athletic trainers, and nurses. It is vital therefore that you
understand the processes that underlie fluid and ion balance in the body. As you well know sodium and potassium and need by
neurons, skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles to generate action potentials and can be lost due to numerous activities including
physical exertion, diet, and diseases. (a) What effect would the following conditions have on a person’s ability to generate action
potentials to sustain life: hyperkalemia and hypokalemia. (b) What is the physiological explanation? (c) What might specifically
cause these conditions?
17. Friday night after graduation you went to “the club” to celebrate the successful completion of Human Physiology. Totally by
accident, you consumed too many Margarita’s. Saturday morning you feel like “doo-doo.” You remember that “&@#*” you were
warned that this would happen. (a) What response in terms of urine and blood pressure response would your body have to this
consumption from the perspective of renal physiology? (b) what is the origin of this feeling and (c) why was it induced so intensely by
Margarita’s? (d) What’s the cure? Hint think about what alcohol does to neurons and see p. 641-642 in your text.