GATE Biomedical Engineering Human Anatomy and Physiology Syllabus

Human Anatomy and Physiology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

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

1. 1

   Basics of cell, types of tissues and organ systems

   3 topics

   • Cell Structure
   • Types of Tissues
   • Organ Systems Overview
2. 2

   Homeostasis

   2 topics

   • Concept of Homeostasis
   • Importance of Homeostasis
3. 3

   Basics of organ systems

   8 topics

   • Musculoskeletal System
   • Respiratory System
   • Circulatory System
   • Excretory System
   • Endocrine System
   • Nervous System
   • Gastrointestinal System
   • Reproductive System

Human Anatomy and Physiology flashcards for GATE Biomedical Engineering

22 of 51 cards from the Human Anatomy and Physiology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms?

   The cell. All organisms are composed of one or more cells, which carry out the fundamental processes of life.

2. What is the function of the cell (plasma) membrane?

   It is a selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer that separates the cell interior from its environment and regulates the transport of substances into and out of the cell.

3. Which organelle is the 'powerhouse of the cell' and what does it produce?

   The mitochondrion. It generates ATP through aerobic respiration (oxidative phosphorylation).

4. What is the role of ribosomes in a cell?

   Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis (translation), assembling polypeptide chains from amino acids using mRNA as a template.

5. What is the difference between rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

   Rough ER is studded with ribosomes and synthesizes/processes proteins; smooth ER lacks ribosomes and synthesizes lipids, metabolizes carbohydrates, and detoxifies.

6. What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?

   It modifies, sorts, packages, and ships proteins and lipids received from the ER into vesicles for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

7. Which organelle contains hydrolytic enzymes for intracellular digestion?

   The lysosome. It breaks down waste materials, cellular debris, and foreign particles via hydrolytic enzymes at acidic pH.

8. What distinguishes a prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic cell?

   Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes possess a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

9. What are the four primary types of tissue in the human body?

   Epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscular tissue, and nervous tissue.

10. What is the primary function of epithelial tissue?

    It covers body surfaces, lines cavities and organs, and forms glands; functions include protection, absorption, secretion, and filtration.

11. Name the three types of muscle tissue and state whether each is voluntary or involuntary.

    Skeletal muscle (voluntary), cardiac muscle (involuntary), and smooth muscle (involuntary).

12. Give examples of connective tissue in the human body.

    Bone, cartilage, blood, adipose (fat) tissue, tendons, and ligaments. Connective tissue supports, binds, and protects other tissues.

13. What is the function of nervous tissue?

    It receives, processes, and transmits electrical impulses (information) throughout the body; composed of neurons and supporting glial cells.

14. What is an organ system? Give the definition.

    An organ system is a group of organs that work together to perform one or more major physiological functions (e.g., the digestive system).

15. Define homeostasis.

    Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment (e.g., temperature, pH, glucose) despite changes in external conditions.

16. What are the three components of a homeostatic control (feedback) system?

    A receptor (sensor) that detects change, a control center (integrator) that processes and sets the set point, and an effector that produces a response.

17. What is the difference between negative and positive feedback in homeostasis?

    Negative feedback counteracts a change to restore the set point (most common, e.g., temperature regulation); positive feedback amplifies a change away from the set point (e.g., childbirth, blood clotting).

18. Why is homeostasis important for survival?

    It keeps internal conditions within the narrow range required for enzymes and cells to function properly, ensuring proper metabolism and overall health; its failure leads to disease or death.

19. What is the normal core body temperature that homeostasis maintains?

    Approximately $37\,^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$ (about $98.6\,^{\circ}\mathrm{F}$).

20. What are the two main divisions of the skeletal system?

    The axial skeleton (skull, vertebral column, ribcage) and the appendicular skeleton (limbs and the girdles that attach them).

21. How many bones are in the adult human skeleton?

    206 bones.

22. What protein-based sliding mechanism produces skeletal muscle contraction?

    The sliding filament theory: actin (thin) filaments slide over myosin (thick) filaments, shortening the sarcomere; this requires ATP and $\ce{Ca^2+}$.

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