Chapter 1: Introduction to Physiology
These types of glands secrete a hormone directly into the blood. An example would be pituitary or adrenal glands.
Correct answer: endocrine glands.
The answer is not exocrine glands. Exocrine glands secrete their products (such as sweat or saliva) via ducts.
The MAIN function of this organelle is packaging of proteins (and other molecules) into vesicles and directing them to a target.
Correct answer: Golgi apparatus, "the USPS of the cell"
The sum of all chemical reactions occurring in a cell.
Correct answer: Metabolism
Based on its electrical charge, what type of ion is Potassium (K⁺)?
Correct answer: Cation
Explain the difference between agonists and antagonists when binding to receptors.
Agonists bind to a receptor and produce a response (the same, or enhanced).
Antagonists bind to a receptor and block the response or produce an opposite response.
Example: endorphins (endogenous), morphine - the agonist, naloxone - the antagonist
Analgesia
The term used to describe the cavity inside of hollow organs or vessels. It is typically lined by epithelium.
Correct answer: the lumen.
The lumen is the interior of hollow organs or vessels. It is typically lined by epithelium, a sheet-like layer of cells which functions as a barrier.
The fluid component of the cell is called the ________.
Correct answer: the cytosol is the fluid component of the cell.
This reaction is a type of metabolic process where large molecules are broken down into smaller ones.
Correct answer: catabolism
What type of transport is being used?
Molecules are traveling from high concentration to low concentration using a channel protein. No energy is being used.
Is it active or passive? Then name the type.
Correct answer: Passive transport, diffusion through channels.
Bonus (100 points): Give an example of a type of molecule or type of channel.
These types of chemicals act on neighboring cells. Examples include growth factors, clotting factors, and cytokines.
Correct answer: Paracrine chemicals
Note: Autocrines act on the same cell they were secreted from.
Name the subdivisions of total body water (TBW). Your answer will consist of TWO PRIMARY categories, and then one of those two categories will be further divided into TWO MORE categories. (four words total!)
Correct answer: Total body water (TBW) is divided into intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF). Extracellular fluid is then divided into interstitial fluid and plasma.
100 POINT BONUS: As a percent or fraction, how much of the body's water is ICF, and how much is ECF.
The enzyme responsible for uncoiling DNA during transcription.
Correct answer: RNA polymerase
The type of chemical reaction where smaller molecules are built up into larger, more complex ones.
Correct answer: anabolic reaction
Fill in the blanks.
In the Sodium (Na⁺) / Potassium (K⁺) pump...
3 molecules of _______ are pumped from the ICF to ECF. 2 molecules of _________ are pumped from the ECF to the ICF.
sodium, potassium
The receptor for a ligand is inside of the cell. Is the ligand more likely to be a hydrophilic or hydrophobic molecule?
Correct answer: hydrophobic, lipophilic, nonpolar. Lipid-soluble molecules can cross the cell membrane using simple diffusion.
The type of feedback loop in which fluctuations of a regulated variable are returned back to their set point or range.
Correct answer: Negative Feedback Loop.
Bonus (for 100 points): Give an example of a variable in the body that is regulated via negative feedback.
Name ONE event that occurs during post-transcriptional processing, and why that event occurs.
5’ end capping occurs + 3’ poly(A) tail is formed. These stabilize the mRNA and prevent degradation.
Splicing. Introns, which are no longer necessary for coding, are removed. The exons, which contain genetic code, are brought together.
Name the type of reaction displayed and indicate if it is anabolic or catabolic.
A-OH + H-B --> A-B + H2O
(e.g., glucose + fructose --> sucrose + H2O)
This is a condensation reaction, which is anabolic. Glucose and fructose are combined, creating sucrose and water as a by-product.
A cell is placed in a solution. Water flows into the cell, causing it to burst. The solution is ________.
(hypotonic, hypertonic, isotonic)
The solution is hypotonic, meaning that it has a lower concentration of impermeable solutes than the inside of the cell.
List the three main factors which determine the strength of response when ligands are binding to receptors.
1. Concentration of messenger or ligand
2. Number of receptors on target cell
3. The affinity of the receptor to the ligand.
Name the four major cell types in the human body and give a function of each.
Neurons: transmitting signals, communication, or processing information
Muscle Cells: contraction, movement
Epithelial Cells: provide a barrier
Connective tissue: supports, anchors, links (most diverse!)
Place these steps in order:
Translation, transcription, post-translational modifications, post-transcriptional processing.
Briefly describe what occurs during each.
1. Transcription: pre-mRNA is transcribed from the DNA using RNA polymerase. (nucleus)
2. Post-transcriptional processing: Changes pre-mRNA into mature mRNA. (nucleus)
3. Translation: mRNA codons are read and used to create a protein. The tRNA brings the corresponding amino acids. The rRNA forms the polypeptide chain.
4. Post-transcriptional processing: protein maturation
Name the type of reaction displayed and indicate if it is anabolic or catabolic.
A + Pi --> A-P
(e.g., ADP + Pi --> ATP + H2O)
Correct answer: Phosphorylation reaction
Phosphorylation reactions are characterized by the addition of a phosphate group (Pi) to a molecule.
The reaction is anabolic.
Bonus (100 points): What other type of reaction could this be classified as? ADP + Pi --> ATP + H2O
What is the cell's typical resting membrane potential in mV (millivolts) and which ion has the most impact on this?
Correct answer: -70 millivolts, Potassium (K+)
Positively charged Potassium (K+) ions leave the cell frequently through leaky Potassium (K+) ion channels, making the cell more negative.
What is the structure responsible for releasing chemical messengers (via exocytosis) across a synapse?
The axon terminal