FMGE Physiology Syllabus

Physiology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Physiology in FMGE, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Cellular Physiology

   4 topics

   • Cell membrane structure and function
   • Membrane transport
     • Passive and active transport
     • Facilitated diffusion
     • Osmosis
   • Resting membrane potential, action potential, and synaptic transmission
   • Neurotransmitters and their receptors
2. 2

   Nervous System

   4 topics

   • Structure and functions of neurons
   • Central nervous system (CNS): Brain and spinal cord
   • Peripheral nervous system (PNS): Cranial and spinal nerves
   • Autonomic nervous system: Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions
3. 3

   Endocrine System

   4 topics

   • Hormones
     • Classification
     • Synthesis
     • Storage
     • Release
   • Hypothalamic-pituitary axis
   • Thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, and gonadal hormones
   • Regulation of hormone secretion
4. 4

   Cardiovascular System

   4 topics

   • Heart
     • Structure
     • Cardiac Cycle
     • Electrical Conduction System
   • Blood vessels
     • Arteries
     • Veins
     • Capillaries
     • Lymphatics
   • Regulation of Cardiac Output, Blood Pressure, and Regional Blood Flow
   • Hemodynamics
     • Blood Flow
     • Resistance
     • Viscosity
5. 5

   Respiratory System

   4 topics

   • Structure and function of the respiratory system
   • Mechanics of breathing: Lung volumes and capacities, pulmonary ventilation
   • Gas exchange: Diffusion, transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
   • Regulation of respiration: Neural and chemical control mechanisms
6. 6

   Renal Physiology

   4 topics

   • Structure and function of the kidney
   • Glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and secretion
   • Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate regulation
   • Acid-base balance and electrolyte regulation
7. 7

   Gastrointestinal System

   3 topics

   • Digestive processes
     • Motility
     • Secretion
     • Absorption
     • Digestion
   • Regulation of gastrointestinal functions
     • Neural control
     • Hormonal control
   • Liver function
     • Metabolism
     • Detoxification
     • Bile secretion
8. 8

   Muscle Physiology

   3 topics

   • Muscle types
     • Skeletal muscle
     • Cardiac muscle
     • Smooth muscle
   • Mechanism of muscle contraction
     • Sliding filament theory
   • Neuromuscular junction and excitation-contraction coupling
9. 9

   Special Senses

   2 topics

   • Vision
     • Structure of the eye
     • Visual pathways
     • Accommodation
   • Hearing and Balance
     • Structure of the ear
     • Auditory pathways
     • Equilibrium

Physiology flashcards for FMGE

22 of 66 cards from the Physiology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the Nernst equation used for, and what is the approximate equilibrium potential for K+ in a typical neuron?

   It calculates the equilibrium potential for a single ion based on its concentration gradient. E_ion = 61/z × log10([ion]out/[ion]in) at 37°C. The K+ equilibrium potential is approximately -90 mV.

2. Differentiate primary active transport from secondary active transport with one example each.

   Primary active transport uses ATP directly (e.g., Na+/K+ ATPase). Secondary active transport uses the electrochemical gradient set up by primary transport, not ATP directly (e.g., Na+-glucose cotransporter / SGLT).

3. What is the typical resting membrane potential of a neuron, and which ion's permeability is mainly responsible for it?

   About -70 mV. It is primarily determined by the high resting permeability to K+ (plus the action of the Na+/K+ ATPase).

4. State the stoichiometry of the Na+/K+ ATPase and explain why it is electrogenic.

   It pumps 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in per ATP hydrolyzed. The unequal exchange (net loss of one positive charge per cycle) makes it electrogenic, contributing slightly to the negative resting potential.

5. List the phases of a typical neuronal action potential and the ion movement in each.

   Depolarization: Na+ influx (voltage-gated Na+ channels open). Repolarization: Na+ channels inactivate and voltage-gated K+ channels open (K+ efflux). Hyperpolarization (undershoot): continued K+ efflux before channels close.

6. What is the absolute refractory period, and what causes it?

   The period during which no stimulus, however strong, can trigger a second action potential. It is caused by inactivation of voltage-gated Na+ channels.

7. Define saltatory conduction and state why it increases conduction velocity.

   In myelinated axons the action potential jumps from one node of Ranvier to the next. It increases velocity because depolarization occurs only at nodes (where Na+ channels are concentrated), reducing the membrane area to be charged.

8. Name two factors that increase nerve conduction velocity.

   Increased axon diameter and the presence of myelination (saltatory conduction). Higher temperature also increases velocity.

9. State the normal total blood volume and the approximate split between plasma and formed elements.

   About 5 liters in an average adult (~8% of body weight). Plasma is about 55% and formed elements (mainly RBCs) about 45% (hematocrit).

10. List the main plasma proteins and their major functions.

    Albumin (oncotic pressure, transport), globulins (immunity – antibodies, and transport), and fibrinogen (clotting). Albumin contributes most to colloid osmotic pressure.

11. What is plasma colloid osmotic (oncotic) pressure and its approximate value?

    The osmotic pressure exerted by plasma proteins, mainly albumin, drawing fluid into capillaries. It is approximately 25-28 mmHg.

12. Where does erythropoiesis occur in the adult, and what is the lifespan of an RBC?

    In adults erythropoiesis occurs in the red bone marrow (e.g., vertebrae, sternum, ribs, pelvis). RBC lifespan is about 120 days.

13. What stimulus triggers erythropoietin release, and from where is it secreted?

    Tissue hypoxia (low oxygen) stimulates erythropoietin secretion, mainly from peritubular interstitial cells of the kidney (about 90%), with a small contribution from the liver.

14. Classify anemias by RBC morphology (MCV) with one example of each.

    Microcytic (low MCV): iron deficiency. Normocytic (normal MCV): acute blood loss, anemia of chronic disease. Macrocytic (high MCV): vitamin B12/folate deficiency (megaloblastic).

15. What causes megaloblastic anemia and what is the underlying cellular defect?

    Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. Impaired DNA synthesis causes nuclear-cytoplasmic asynchrony, producing large immature (megaloblastic) cells.

16. List the three main steps of hemostasis in order.

    1) Vascular spasm (vasoconstriction), 2) Platelet plug formation (primary hemostasis), 3) Coagulation/blood clotting (secondary hemostasis) forming a fibrin clot.

17. What converts prothrombin to thrombin, and what does thrombin do?

    Prothrombin activator (factor Xa complex with Va, Ca2+, phospholipid) converts prothrombin to thrombin. Thrombin then converts fibrinogen to fibrin.

18. Distinguish the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways by their initiating factors and screening tests.

    Intrinsic pathway: triggered by surface contact (factor XII); monitored by aPTT. Extrinsic pathway: triggered by tissue factor (factor III/tissue thromboplastin) activating factor VII; monitored by PT. Both converge on factor X (common pathway).

19. Which clotting factors are vitamin K dependent?

    Factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X, plus anticoagulant proteins C and S. Mnemonic: 1972 = 10, 9, 7, 2.

20. Describe the ABO blood group antigens and antibodies for each group.

    Group A: A antigen, anti-B antibody. Group B: B antigen, anti-A antibody. Group AB: A and B antigens, no antibodies (universal recipient). Group O: no antigens, anti-A and anti-B antibodies (universal donor).

21. What is the Rh incompatibility risk in pregnancy and how is it prevented?

    An Rh-negative mother carrying an Rh-positive fetus may form anti-D antibodies, causing hemolytic disease of the newborn (erythroblastosis fetalis) in subsequent Rh+ pregnancies. Prevented by giving anti-D (Rh) immunoglobulin (RhoGAM).

22. Differentiate innate (nonspecific) from adaptive (specific) immunity.

    Innate immunity is present from birth, immediate, nonspecific, with no memory (e.g., skin, neutrophils, complement). Adaptive immunity is acquired, specific, slower initially, and has memory (mediated by B cells/antibodies and T cells).

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