Human Anatomy and Physiology : Excretory and Digestive Physiology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Human Anatomy and Physiology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Help With Kidney Physiology

A patient presents with severe diarrhea and his test results show a significant loss of .  It is likely that the physician will diagnose the patient with:

Possible Answers:

Respiratory alkalosis

Metabolic alkalosis

Metabolic acidosis

Respiratory acidosis

Cystic fibrosis

Correct answer:

Metabolic acidosis

Explanation:

A very large loss of  from the patient will lead to a drastic decrease in pH.  Therefore, all alkalosis disorders can be ruled out.  Additionally, because the pH decrease is unrelated to an increase in carbon dioxide, it is not a respiratory issue - leaving only metabolic acidosis as a diagnosis.  Cystic fibrosis involves the overproduction of thick mucous, which causes severe respiratory pathology; other systems are affected too, but excess bicarbonate secretion is not associated with this genetic disease.

Example Question #3 : Help With Kidney Physiology

Obstruction in the ureters will have what effect on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

Possible Answers:

Increased GFR

Unchanged GFR

Decreased GFR

None of the other answers

GFR increases to 

Correct answer:

Decreased GFR

Explanation:

Obstruction bilaterally in the ureters leads to decreased GFR due to increased pressure retrograde from the ureters. Bowman space pressure increases to override the GFR pressure. Bowman space pressure does not favor filtration versus GFR pressure (favors filtration). 

Example Question #2 : Help With Kidney Physiology

Which of the following is the best estimate for serum osmolality?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Serum osmolality is best estimated at around 

Example Question #1 : Help With Bladder Physiology

Which structure allows for the conscious control of holding urine?

Possible Answers:

Internal urethral sphincter

Detrusor muscle

External urethral sphincter

Rectus abdominis

Correct answer:

External urethral sphincter

Explanation:

When holding urine, there are two primary sphincters that help control the release of urine. The internal urethral sphincter is composed of smooth muscle, and is therefore not consciously controlled. The external urethral sphincter is composed of skeletal muscle, which means that it can be consciously controlled.

The detrusor muscle is the smooth muscle found in the walls of the bladder. When contracted, this muscle leads to urination. The rectus abdominis is a region of the abdominal wall. When contracted, this muscle can indirectly assist in urination by reducing the volume of the abdominal cavity and pressuring the bladder.

Example Question #1 : Help With Other Excretory Physiology

Why are women more prone to urinary tract infections compared to males?

Possible Answers:

Men have specialized white blood cells in the urethra that women lack

They have shorter urethras than men

Their levels of estrogen make their immune systems weaker

Women have smaller bladders compared to men

Correct answer:

They have shorter urethras than men

Explanation:

Because women have smaller urethras, bacteria and other pathogens have a shorter distance to travel in order to cause infections in the body. In addition, the proximity of the anus to the urethral opening in women is much closer compared to men, resulting in a closer proximity to bacteria.

Example Question #2 : Help With Other Excretory Physiology

Total body water is approximately __________ of body weight.

Possible Answers:

60%

85%

40%

20%

Correct answer:

60%

Explanation:

Total body water is approximately 60% of body weight. The percentage of total body water is highest in newborns and adult males, and lowest in adult females and in adults with large amounts of adipose tissue (fat). Intracellular fluid is 40% of body weight, and extracellular fluid is 20% of body weight (60-40-20 rule).

Example Question #3 : Help With Other Excretory Physiology

What are the major cations of intracellular fluid?

Possible Answers:

 and 

 only

Proteins and organic phosphates

 and 

Correct answer:

 and 

Explanation:

Intracellular fluid (ICF) is two-thirds of total body water. Its major cations are  and . The major anions of ICF are proteins and organic phosphates (ATP, ADP, AMP). Also, most proteins carry a net negative charge at physiological pH. Major cations of extracellular fluid (ECF) are , its anions are  and . Remember that the sodium potassium pump works continuously to pump three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions into the cell, thus concentrating these species in their respective compartments.

Example Question #4 : Help With Other Excretory Physiology

Extracellular fluid contains which cations and anions?

Possible Answers:

 and 

 and 

Proteins and organic phosphates

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Extracellular fluid (ECF) contains the cation , and  and  as its anions.  ECF is one-third of total body water and is composed of interstitial fluid and plasma. Plasma is one-fourth of the ECF, thus it is one-twelfth of total body water (TBW).

Intracellular fluid (ICF) provides two-thirds of TBW. Its major cations are  and . The major anions of ICF are proteins and organic phosphates (ATP, ADP, AMP). Note that DNA also carries a net negative charge, and is intracellular, but not dissolved.

Example Question #21 : Excretory And Digestive Physiology

Which macromolecule can begin digestion in the mouth?

Possible Answers:

Nucleotides

Triglycerides

Carbohydrates

Proteins

Correct answer:

Carbohydrates

Explanation:

Saliva contains the enzyme alpha amylase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down starch and carbohydrates into smaller polysaccharide chains.

Later, in the small intestine, pancreatic beta amylase further digests the carbohydrates until they can be absorbed into the blood. Most chemical digestion occurs in the small intestine, where enzymes to digest proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates are introduced to the digestive tract.

Example Question #2 : Help With Mouth, Pharynx, And Esophagus Physiology

Which of the following is the start of the gastrointestinal tract?

Possible Answers:

Stomach

Esophagus

Pharynx

Mouth

Correct answer:

Mouth

Explanation:

The mouth is the start of the gastrointestinal tract. It is the site of both mechanical and chemical digestion via chewing, and saliva, respectively. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that breaks down carbohydrates. 

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