2023 Physician Licensure

Examination Practice Questions

Physiology
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the letter of the best answer.

A 5-month-old child was brought to the emergency room because of seizure. The child was
noted to have a decreased muscle strength and non-responsive to light and sound. Blood sample
was analyzed by enzyme assay and result revealed a deficiency in Hexosaminidase A. The
primary problem of the patient most likely lies in the;
A. Endoplasmic reticulum
B. Mitochondria
C. Lysosomes
D. Peroxisomes

ANSWER

C. Lysosomes

In which of the following transport processes is the substance moving along an electrochemical
gradient?
A. Calcium into the sarcoplasmic reticulum
B. Sodium into the cardiac muscle cells
C. Protein into the nerve cells
D. Glucose into the intestinal cells
ANSWER

B. Sodium into the cardiac muscle cells

At resting state, which of the following is observed in the voltage gated channels of excitable cells?

A. Both activation and inactivation gates are closed

B. Both activation and inactivation gates are open
C. Activation gate is closed and inactivation gate is open
D. Activation gates is open and inactivation gate is closed
ANSWER

C. Activation gate is closed and inactivation gate is open

Type A afferent nerve fibers are most susceptible to the effect of anesthetic agents. Which of the
following best describes these nerve fibers? They ………….
A. Are the fastest conducting fibers
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
B. Offer the greatest resistance to nerve conduction
C. Can undergo salutatory conduction
D. Are small and unmyelinated
ANSWER

B. Offer the greatest resistance to nerve conduction

A substance that exerts the greatest osmotic pressure is a/an;

A. Nonionizing substance (urea) that can cross the membrane
B. Nonionizing substance (glucose) that cannot cross the membrane
C. Ionizing substance (NaCl) that cannot cross the membrane
D. Ionizing substance (KCl) that can cross the membrane

ANSWER

C. Ionizing substance (NaCl) that cannot cross the membrane

Weight lifters and sprinters utilized muscles that deliver high power for few seconds. These muscles
……
A. Contain red muscle fibers
B. Have high glycolytic activity
C. Are fatigue resistant
D. Include the slow twitch fibers

ANSWER

B. Have high glycolytic activity

Which of the following is the normal sequence of events in the excitation-contraction coupling
of skeletal muscles?
A. Activation of dihydropyridine receptor
B. Transmission of impulses along the T tubule
C. Depolarization of sarcolemma
D. Binding of calcium to troponin C
E. Translocation of tropomyosin
F. Generation of end plate potential
G. Interaction between actin and myosin

A. CFBADEG

B. CBAFDEG

C. CBFADEG
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
D. CFABEDG

ANSWER

A. CFBADEG

The primary function of these cells is to capture, process and present the antigen to the T-
lymphocytes.
A. Basophils
B. Mast cells
C. Dendritic cells
D. Monocytes
ANSWER

C. Dendritic cells
When the shortening velocity of muscle is maximal, it means that the muscle ___.

A. Undergoes isometric contraction

B. Is stretched while lifting a load
C. Contract without a load
D. Produces a negative work
ANSWER

C. Contract without a load

Immediately after the release of phosphate from the myosin head, the muscle fiber is in ETEC
A. Power stroke state

B. Attached state

C. Cocked state

D. Released state
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
ANSWER

A. Power stroke state

Which of the following sets (structure and function) is INCORRECTLY paired?

A. Tropomyosin molecules - relaxing protein
B. Troponin complex - organizing proteins
C. Actin molecules - cytoskeletal contractile proteins
D. Myosin molecules - molecular motor proteins

ANSWER

B. Troponin complex - organizing proteins

Expansion of ECF volume and increased myocardial wall stretch promote secretion of ANP
from the atria. This hormone in turn decreases renal tubular Na + reabsorption and increases

A. ADH secretion
B. GFR
C. Renin release
D. Angiotensin II formation

ANSWER

B. GFR
Spatial and temporal summation
A. Are generated by increasing the rate of stimulation
B. Used single stimulus of maximal strength
C. Can result to an increase in force of contraction
D. Cause an increase in intracellular calcium availability

ANSWER

C. Can result to an increase in force of contraction

This binds fragments of antigen protein and present them to the T cells.
A. Complement system
B. Cell surface receptors
C. Major histocompatibility complex
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
D. Antigen presenting cell

ANSWER

C. Major histocompatibility complex

Interruption of the blood supply from the hypothalamus will not affect the secretion of;
A. ADH
B. Prolactin
C. TSH
D. Somatotropin
ANSWER

A. ADH
This condition does not usually require treatment.
A. Mobitz Type I
B. Atrial flutter
C. First degree AV block
D. Mobitz Type II
ANSWER

C. First degree AV block

A patient with heart failure was given ACE inhibitor which exerts its effect by inhibiting the
angiotensin converting enzyme with results to a/an
A. Increase in arteriolar tone
B. Decreased in sodium reabsorption
C. Increase in total peripheral resistance
D. Decreased in cardiac output
ANSWER

B. Decreased in sodium reabsorption

Tapping the Achilles tendon will result to the contraction of

A. Sartorius
B. Gastrocnemius
C. Quadriceps
D. Semitendinosus
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
ANSWER

B. Gastrocnemius
Which of the following structures provide the CNS with information about the tension developed by
the muscle being moved?

A. Muscle spindle
B. Golgi tendon
C. Intrafusal muscle fiber
D. Extrafusal muscle fiber
ANSWER

B. Golgi tendon
Which of the following statement is correct about myotatic reflex?
A. It is initiated by muscular contraction
B. It is a monosynaptic reflex
C. It involves the Golgi tendon organ
D. It is also known as autogenic inhibition

ANSWER

B. It is a monosynaptic reflex

The gastrointestinal tract has a number of important regulatory mechanisms. In this regulatory
process, three components have been omitted. Indicate the components that must be added to
complete the circuit. Gastric emptying → ________ → (+) S cells → ________ → (+)
pancreatic ductal cells, __________.

A. Acidic chyme → ↑ secretin → ↑ alkaline fluid secretion

B. Acidic chyme → ↑ CCK → ↑ alkaline fluid secretion
C. Partially digested food→↑ CCK → ↑digestive enzyme release
D. Partially digested food →↑ secretin → ↑ alkaline fluid secretion
ANSWER

A. Acidic chyme → ↑ secretin → ↑ alkaline fluid secretion

Histamine receptor 2 blocker is given to patients with peptic ulcer disease. This drug works by
inhibiting the histamine 2 receptor present in these gastric cells;_
A. Chief cells
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
B. Antral cells
C. Parietal cells
D. Enterochromaffin like cells
ANSWER

C. Parietal cells

What is the best thing to do in a patient who has hypersecretion of acid? Give a drug that
A. Decreases the formation of prostaglandin
B. Enhances the activity of histamine
C. Increases the activity of acetylcholine
D. Blocks the activity of H+K+ ATPase

ANSWER

D. Blocks the activity of H+K+ ATPase

A 25-year-old mas has acute attacks of bronchial asthma. He was given a combination of
Beta2 agonist albuterol and an anticholinergic drug ipratropium bromide. Which of the
following would be a possible adverse effect of Albuterol?
A. Dry mouth
B. Tremor
C. Diarrhea
D. Mydriasis
ANSWER

B. Tremor

Urinary retention and hypertension are brought about by excessive activation of

A. alpha1 adrenergic receptor

B. alpha2 adrenergic receptor
C. beta1 adrenergic receptors
D. beta2 adrenergic receptors
ANSWER

A. alpha1 adrenergic receptor

A patient with myasthenia gravis was given neostigmine, an anti-cholinesterase drug which
improved her condition. This drug exerts its effect by
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
A. Prolonging the activity of acetylcholine
B. Increasing the affinity of acetylcholine to its receptors
C. Blocking the activity of acetylcholine in impulse transmission
D. Enhancing the secretion of acetylcholine by the presynaptic neuron
ANSWER

A. Prolonging the activity of acetylcholine

A 60-year-old male was diagnosed to have pulmonary stenosis. Which of the following is MOST
likely observed?

A. Diastolic murmur
B. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
C. A Greater afterload
D. Lesser ESV
ANSWER

C. A Greater afterload
A 45-year female is brought to the emergency room following an ingestion of unknown substance.
She is found to have excessive salivation, bradycardia, pupillary constriction, bronchoconstriction
and muscle fasciculation. Which of the following agents would most likely cause these findings?

A. Cholinergic agonist
B. Cholinergic antagonist
C. Adrenergic agonist
D. Adrenergic antagonist
ANSWER

A. Cholinergic agonist

Post extra-systolic potentiation explains which of the following?

A. Increased heart rate when venous return increases
B. Increased contractility after premature beat
C. Increased cardiac contraction when EDV increases
D. Increased cardiac contraction when heart rate increases
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
ANSWER

B. Increased contractility after premature beat

Which of the following normally has a membrane potential that gradually declines to the firing level
after each impulse?

A. Bundle of His
B. Sinoatrial Node
C. Purkinje Fibers
D. Ventricular Muscle Fibers
ANSWER

B. Sinoatrial Node

A patient was diagnosed to have heart failure due to systolic dysfunction. His physician gave him
digoxin, an inotropic drug which improves his condition by;
A. Decreasing the afterload
B. Decreasing the ESV
C. Increasing the cardiac load
D. Increasing the ventricular compliance
ANSWER

B. Decreasing the ESV

What is the approximate cardiac output if oxygen consumption is 500 ml/min, oxygen content in the
brachial artery is 190 ml/L of blood and oxygen content in the pulmonary artery is 140/L of blood?

A. 5 L/min
B. 7 L/min
C. 10 L/min
D. 12 L/min
ANSWER

C. 10 L/min .

A 25-year-old male has aortic abdominal aneurysm. Which of the following is decreased at the area
affected by aneurysm?
A. Probability of turbulent flow
B. Wall tension
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
C. Hydrostatic pressure

D. Flow velocity

ANSWER

D. Flow velocity

A 10-year-old boy who fell on the floor had profuse bleeding due to a laceration at the forehead. This
condition triggered compensatory responses initiated by the baroreceptor reflex to normalize the
blood pressure. Which of the following compensatory responses is most likely observed?

A. Inactivation of baroreceptors
B. An increase in sympathetic discharge
C. Inhibition of vasomotor center
D. Generalized vasodilatation
ANSWER

B. An increase in sympathetic discharge

There will be no net fluid flow across the capillary if the capillary hydrostatic pressure is equal to;
Use the data below.
Tissue hydrostatic pressure = - 3 mmHg
Tissue colloid osmotic pressure = 10 mmHg
Plasma colloid osmotic pressure = 32 mmHg

A. 17 mmHg
B. 18 mmHg
C. 19 mmHg
D. 20 mmHg
ANSWER

C. 19 mmHg

Atrial systole occurs at the near the beginning of

A. Isovolumetric relaxation phase
B. Isovolumetric contraction phase
C. Ejection phase
D. Ventricular filling phase
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Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
ANSWER

B. Isovolumetric contraction phase

A mountaineer developed chronic mountain sickness when he decided to stay longer in Mt. Apo.
He was immediately brought to the hospital and laboratory result revealed severely elevated
hematocrit. This finding will result to all of the following EXCEPT;

A. A lesser tissue blood flow

B. A greater probability of turbulent flow
C. Greater total peripheral resistance
D. Greater shear stress
ANSWER

B. A greater probability of turbulent flow

A man who has a normal heart has an end-systolic volume (ESV) of 50 mL and a heart rate of
70/min. What is the approximate ejection fraction and cardiac output?

A. 60 % : 4.9 L
B. 55 % : 4.2 L
C. 50 % : 4.9 L
D. 65 % : 4.2 L
ANSWER

A. 60 % : 4.9 L
In an upright position, an individual has;
A. Ventilation that is greater at the apex than at the base of the lung
B. Perfusion that is lesser at the base than at the apex of the lung
C. Compliance that is greater at the apex than at the base of the lung
D. Ventilation/perfusion ratio that is lesser at the base than at the apex of the lungs

ANSWER

D. Ventilation/perfusion ratio that is lesser at the base than at the apex of the lungs
In patients with pulmonary diseases, the physiologic space is;
A. Equal to the anatomic dead space
B. Is less than the anatomic dead space
C. Is greater than the anatomic dead space
D. Is equal to zero
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
ANSWER

C. Is greater than the anatomic dead space

If all the respiratory muscles are relaxed, then the lungs contain;
A. Residual volume (RV)
B. Functional residual capacity (FRC)
C. Vital capacity (VC)
D. Total lung capacity (TLC)
ANSWER

B. Functional residual capacity (FRC)

Which of the following statements correctly describes Bohr effect?
A. It is initiated by increase binding of carbon dioxide to hemoglobin
B. It enhances delivery of oxygen from the lungs to the tissues
C. It occurs when hemoglobin becomes oxyhemoglobin
D. It enhances uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide
ANSWER

C. It occurs when hemoglobin becomes oxyhemoglobin

Which of the following factors mainly determine the diffusing capacity of the lung for oxygen;
A. Alveolar surface area
B. Hemoglobin concentration
C. Diffusion coefficient
D. Pressure gradient across the membrane
ANSWER

D. Pressure gradient across the membrane

An individual who ascends to high altitude hyperventilates. This is mainly due to hypoxic
stimulation of the;
A. Central chemoreceptors
B. Aortic and carotid bodies
C. Pulmonary stretch receptors
D. Juxta-alveolar receptors or J receptors
ANSWER

B. Aortic and carotid bodies

 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
Which of the following is markedly decreased in patients with obstructive pulmonary disease but not
in patient with restrictive lung disease;

A. Tidal volume
B. Vital capacity
C. FEV1
D. Total lung capacity

ANSWER

C. FEV1
The end point of respiration is to
A. Inflate the lungs
B. Oxygenate the tissues
C. Conduct fresh air into the alveoli
D. Perfuse the alveoli
ANSWER

B. Oxygenate the tissues

If surfactant is deficient, which of the following is decreased?

A. Work of breathing
B. Airway resistance
C. Surface tension
D. Lung inflation
ANSWER

D. Lung inflation

What is the approximate alveolar ventilation of a 100lb male with the following data below?

Vital capacity = 4500 mL Residual volume = 1000 mL

Inspiratory reserve volume = 3100 mL Expiratory reserve volume = 1000 mL

Respiratory rate = 20 times/minute

A. 4.5 L
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
B. 5.0 L
C. 5.5 L
D. 6.0 L
ANSWER

D. 6.0 L
Administration of beta2 agonist like albuterol will increase which of the following?
A. Airway resistance
B. Airflow
C. Work of breathing
D. Bronchial secretion
ANSWER

B. Airflow

When an individual is in upright position, the apex of the lung;

A. Is more efficient for gas exchange
B. A lesser PaO2 and higher PaCO2
C. Has greater ventilation compared to the base
D. Is expected to have a greater blood flow
ANSWER

A. Is more efficient for gas exchange

A 65 year male who has uncontrolled hypertension experienced easy fatiguability and shortness of
breath. On physical examination, he was noted to have bipedal edema and hepatomegaly and was
diagnosed to have Congestive Heart Failure. Patient’s symptoms improved after taking furosemide,
a loop diuretic. Inhibition of ____________ accounts for this improvement
A. Na+K+Cl- transporter (NKCC2)
B. Na+Cl- cotransporter (NCC)
C. Epithelial sodium channel (eNac)
D. D. Sodium hydrogen exchanger (NHE)
ANSWER

A. Na+K+Cl- transporter (NKCC2)

Excessive administration of ACE inhibitor can result to an increase in

A. Inactivation of bradykinin
B. Total peripheral resistance Lung
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
C. Plasma potassium concentration
D. Aldosterone secretion

ANSWER

C. Plasma potassium concentration

A patient was admitted because of metabolic acidosis due to alcohol intoxication. Arterial blood gas
and electrolyte determination were done and results revealed: pH-7.29/CO2- 40 mmHg/PO2- 90
mmHg/HCO3-20 meq/L, plasma Na+ = 145 meq/L and Cl- 105 meq/L.

If there’s complete lung compensation, what is the expected measured PCO2?

A. 26.3 mmHg

B. 32.5 mmHg

C. 35.2 mmHg

D. 42.8 mmHg

ANSWER

C. 35.2 mmHg

A 65-year-old male, obese experienced increased urination waking up several times at night to
urinate for the past several months. Blood and urine tests were done and results are the following;

Plasma glucose concentration – 400 mg/dL Urine flow rate – 5 ml/min

Urine glucose concentration - 3000 mg/dL GFR – 150 ml/min

What is the approximate filtered load?

A. 500 mg/min

B. 550 mg/min

C. 600 mg/min

D. 650 mg/min
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
ANSWER

C. 600 mg/min

A 65-year-old male, obese experienced increased urination waking up several times at night to
urinate for the past several months. Blood and urine tests were done and results are the following;

Plasma glucose concentration – 400 mg/dL Urine flow rate – 5 ml/min

Urine glucose concentration - 3000 mg/dL GFR – 150 ml/min

What is the expected excretion rate?

A. 135 mg/min
B. 140 mg/min
C. 145 mg/min
D. 150 mg/min

ANSWER

D. 150 mg/min

A 65-year-old male, obese experienced increased urination waking up several times at night to
urinate for the past several months. Blood and urine tests were done and results are the following;

Plasma glucose concentration – 400 mg/dL Urine flow rate – 5 ml/min

Urine glucose concentration - 3000 mg/dL GFR – 150 ml/min

Amount reabsorbed is approximately

A. 450 mg/min
B. 455 mg/min
C. 465 mg/min
D. 475 mg/min
ANSWER

A. 450 mg/min
Which of the following is used to measure plasma volume?
A. Mannitol
B. Evan’s blue
C. Deuterium oxide
D. Antipyrene
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
ANSWER

B. Evan’s blue
Absorption of water and solutes from the renal interstitium, across the peritubular capillaries to the
blood is mainly by;
A. Paracellular transport
B. Co-transport mechanism
C. Ultrafiltration/bulk flow
D. Primary active transport
ANSWER

C. Ultrafiltration/bulk flow
Substance with high renal clearance;
A. Bicarbonate
B. Sodium
C. Creatinine
D. Glucose
ANSWER

C. Creatinine
Condition/Factor that decreases renal potassium secretion
A. Hypokalemia
B. High flow rate
C. Glucocorticoid
D. Hyperaldosteronism
ANSWER

A. Hypokalemia

Decrease renal blood flow and increase glomerular filtration rate are observed if this is administered;
A substance that;

A. Constricts both the afferent and efferent arterioles

B. Dilates both the afferent and efferent arterioles
C. Constricts the afferent and dilates the efferent arteriole
D. Dilates the afferent and constricts the efferent arterioles
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
ANSWER

D. Dilates the afferent and constricts the efferent arterioles

When the food is swallowed peristaltic movement occurs along the GI tract. This GIT movement is
mostly integrated in which of the following?

A. Mucosa

B. Submucosa

C. Muscularis externa

D. Serosa

ANSWER

C. Muscularis externa

Atropine, a parasympatholytic drug is combined with diphenoxylate to treat diarrhea. If given

excessively this can result to;
A. Excessive gastric acid secretion
B. Delayed gastric emptying
C. Decreased sphincteric tone
D. Increased peristaltic activity
ANSWER

B. Delayed gastric emptying

A patient underwent massive ileal resection due to a tumor. This procedure will result to
A. Pernicious anemia
B. Low plasma iron concentration
C. A markedly decreased water absorption
D. Increase in plasma cholesterol concentration
ANSWER

A. Pernicious anemia
Mutation of the gene that encode GLUT 5 most likely is expected to have an increase the luminal
concentration of;
A. Fructose
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
B. Sucrose
C. Amylopectin
D. Galactose
ANSWER

A. Fructose
Acidification of the duodenum will
A. Promote gastric emptying
B. Stimulate gastric acid secretion
C. Lead to gallbladder contraction
D. Increase pancreatic ductal secretion
ANSWER

D. Increase pancreatic ductal secretion

A 30-year-old male is diagnosed with acute gastritis. He was given Ranitidine which improved his
condition by
A. Blocking H2 receptors on ECL cells
B. Inhibiting muscarinic receptors on parietal cells
C. Decreasing the activity of proton pump by decreasing cAMP
D. Inactivating the H2 receptors thereby decreasing IP3 formation

ANSWER

C. Decreasing the activity of proton pump by decreasing cAMP

Female child with severe protein malnutrition was admitted due to diarrhea and edema. Severe
tests were done and she was referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist. The latter noted that the
child is incapable of digesting protein unless she was given trypsin. Most likely the patient has
congenital absence of;

A. Hydrochloric acid
B. Pepsinogen
C. Enterokinase
D. Procarboxypeptidase
ANSWER

C. Enterokinase
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
A 30-year-old female sought consult because of recurrent pain in the upper abdomen accompanied
by belching and bloating. The physician told her that she had dyspepsia most probably due to slow
gastric emptying. Which of the following conditions can lead to her condition?

A. Gastric distention
B. Hyposecretion of gastric acid
C. Ingestion of high fat diet
D. Isoosmolar gastric contents
ANSWER

C. Ingestion of high fat diet

A patient was given proton pump inhibitor which blocks gastric acid secretion. Which of the
following enzymatic activation would most likely be impaired?
A. Trypsinogen
B. Pepsinogen
C. Gastric lipase
D. Proelastases
ANSWER

B. Pepsinogen
Transport protein responsible for entry of glucose and galactose into the blood is called;
A. GLUT2
B. GLUT5
C. GLT1
D. SGLT2
ANSWER

A. GLUT2

E.J. had bilateral vagus nerve dysfunction. This condition would markedly affect this
gastrointestinal motor activity;
A. Peristaltic movement
B. Mastication reflex
C. Volume adaptation
D. Defecation reflex

ANSWER
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
C. Volume adaptation

Dawn is a 20 y/o college student and recently got married. She had her menarche at the age of 14
and has a regular 32-day sexual monthly cycle.

Assuming that her menstrual cycle is very regular, then her ovulation will approximately fall on;

A. Day 16
B. Day 18
C. Day 20
D. Day 22
ANSWER

B. Day 18

Dawn is a 20 y/o college student and recently got married. She had her menarche at the age of 14
and has a regular 32-day sexual monthly cycle.

The greatest secretion of progesterone will be observed most probably on;

A. Day 16-20
B. Day 20-24
C. Day 24-28
D. Day 28-32
ANSWER

C. Day 24-28

Dawn is a 20 y/o college student and recently got married. She had her menarche at the age of 14
and has a regular 32-day sexual monthly cycle.

Completion of first miotic division will happen approximately on;

A. Day 14
B. Day 16
C. Day 18
D. Day 20

ANSWER

C. Day 18
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
Which of the following is a biologic effect of progesterone?

A. It makes cervical mucus more alkaline and elastic

B. It causes development of decidual cells
C. It causes uterine contraction
D. It has bone anabolic effect
ANSWER

B. It causes development of decidual cells

Sucking at the nipple will decrease the secretion of;

A. Prolactin
B. Dopamine
C. Oxytocin
D. Prostaglandin
ANSWER

B. Dopamine

A patient who has difficulty of swallowing with lump in front of her neck was found to have an
enlarged thyroid gland. This condition can be caused by all of the following conditions EXCEPT;

A. If there is iodine deficiency

B. If there is elevated TSI
C. Pituitary hyperthyroidism
D. Excessive intake of thyroxine
ANSWER

D. Excessive intake of thyroxine

J. M. was diagnosed to have hyperthyroidism due to Grave’s disease. Which of the following
cardiovascular responses is expected to increase?
A. Duration of diastole
B. End systolic volume
C. Chronotropic activity
D. Diastolic pressure
ANSWER

C. Chronotropic activity
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Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
Skin hyperpigmentation is observed in which of the following conditions?
A. Hypothalamic hypoadrenalism

B. Large doses of exogenous cortisol

C. Pituitary hyperadrenalism

D. Conn syndrome

ANSWER

C. Pituitary hyperadrenalism
Which of the following blood cells is increased by cortisol?
A. basophils
B. eosinophils
C. lymphocytes
D. neutrophils
ANSWER

D. neutrophils

The secretion of growth hormone is decreased by:

A. hyperglycemia
B. exercise
C. stress
D. ghrelin
ANSWER

A. hyperglycemia

Growth hormone does not have:

A. proteolytic effect
B. hyperglycemic effect
C. anti insulin effect
D. lipolytic effect
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Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
ANSWER

A. proteolytic effect

Which of the following inhibits prolactin secretion aside from prolactin?

A. TSH
B. secretin
C. estrogen
D. TRH

ANSWER

A. TSH
Which of the following is NOT a biologic effect of antidiuretic hormone?It can be spread from
the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of
skin has formed.
A. It makes the collecting duct more permeable to water
B. It stimulates NaCl reabsorption in the renal tubule
C. It increases urea reabsorption in the medullary collecting duct
D. It enhances potassium reabsorption in the renal tubule

ANSWER

D. It enhances potassium reabsorption in the renal tubule

The effect of insulin on glucose transport is to enhance transport

A. Into the adipocytes

B. In the brain
C. Across the renal tubule
D. Through the intestinal mucosa

ANSWER

A. Into the adipocytes

Which of the following is a correct statement about the production of human sperm?
A. Spermatogonia undergo meiosis
B. Spermatogenesis occurs in the epididymis
C. Normally, 10 to 20 million sperm are produced daily
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
D. FSH is required

ANSWER

D. FSH is required
Functions of the Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules include:

A. Secretion of FSH into the tubular lumen

B. Secretion of testosterone into the tubular lumen
C. Maintenance of the blood-testis barrier
D. Expression of surface LH receptors
ANSWER

C. Maintenance of the blood-testis barrier

Which one of the following conditions experienced by pregnant women may be due to the effects of
pregnancy?

A. Increased incidence of heartburn

B. Increased rate of gastric emptying
C. Decreased facial acne
D. Increased cardiac output

ANSWER

A. Increased incidence of heartburn

Which one of the following hormones interacts with tyrosine kinase receptor?

A. Epinephrine
B. Luteinizing hormone
C. Cortisol
D. Insulin
ANSWER

D. Insulin
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
When of the following will happen when the muscle is stretched by tapping the patellar tendon?

A. There’s activation of golgi tendon organ

B. Activation of gamma motor neuron
C. Activity of Group II nerve fiber decreases
D. There’s relaxation of the stretched muscle
ANSWER

B. Activation of gamma motor neuron

Free nerve endings contain receptors that encode the sensation of:

A. fine touch
B. vibration
C. proprioception
D. Temperature
ANSWER

D. Temperature

Depolarization of the hair cells in the cochlea is caused primarily by the flow of:

A. K+ into the hair cell

B. Ca2+ into the hair cell
C. Na+ into the hair cell
D. Mg2+ into the hair cell

ANSWER

A. K+ into the hair cell

The most important role of the gamma motoneurons is to:

A. stimulate skeletal muscle fibers to contract

B. maintain Ia afferent activity during contraction of muscle
C. generate activity in Ib afferent fibers
D. detect the length of resting skeletal muscle
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
ANSWER

B. maintain Ia afferent activity during contraction of muscle

What is the most potent mechanism for heat conservation?

A. vasoconstriction
B. shivering
C. hot pack on the neck Treponema pallidum
D. excessive eatingNeisseiria

ANSWER

A. vasoconstriction

When emmetropic persons become presbyopic, their:

A. visual acuity increases

B. total refractive power increases
C. near point increases
D. ability to see distant objects decreases
ANSWER

C. near point increases

A patient who presents with an intention tremor, “past-pointing,” and a “drunken” gait might be
expected to:

A. cerebellum
B. medulla
C. cerebral cortex
D. basal ganglia

ANSWER

A. cerebellum
 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology
If nystagmus is a prominent symptom of a cerebellar lesion, the lesion is within

A. dentate nucleus
B. lateral cerebellum
C. flocculonodular lobe
D. spinocerebellum
ANSWER

C. flocculonodular lobe

An abnormal Babinski reflex indicates damage to the..

A. spinal cord
B. brainstem
C. cerebellum
D. pyramids

ANSWER

D. pyramids

Which of the following will happen if the extracellular potassium concentration is decreased from 4
meq/L to 2.5 meq/L?7

A. excitability of the cell decreases

B. sodium conductance decreases
C. membrane potential will become less negative
D. Inactivation of sodium – potassium pump
ANSWER

A. excitability of the cell decreases

 2023 Physician Licensure
Examination Practice Questions
Physiology