NEET PG 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 NEET PG, 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 NEET PG

22 of 63 cards from the Physiology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the approximate resting membrane potential of a typical neuron, and which ion's equilibrium potential is it closest to?

   About -70 mV; it is closest to the potassium (K+) equilibrium potential (~ -90 mV) because the resting membrane is most permeable to K+.

2. State the Nernst equation for a single ion at 37 degrees C (in mV) and give the K+ equilibrium potential.

   E_ion = (61.5/z) x log10([ion]out/[ion]in). For K+ (z=+1), E_K is about -90 mV (intracellular ~140 mM, extracellular ~4 mM).

3. List the phases of a neuronal action potential and the ion movement responsible for each.

   Depolarization (fast Na+ influx via voltage-gated Na+ channels), repolarization (K+ efflux + Na+ channel inactivation), and after-hyperpolarization (continued K+ efflux).

4. Differentiate the absolute from the relative refractory period.

   Absolute refractory period: no stimulus can trigger a new AP because Na+ channels are inactivated. Relative refractory period: a stronger-than-normal stimulus can trigger an AP because some Na+ channels have recovered and K+ permeability is still high.

5. At the neuromuscular junction, which neurotransmitter is released and which receptor does it act on?

   Acetylcholine is released from the motor nerve terminal and binds nicotinic (N_M) ACh receptors on the motor end plate, opening cation channels to produce the end-plate potential.

6. What enzyme terminates ACh action at the NMJ, and name a drug that inhibits it.

   Acetylcholinesterase hydrolyzes ACh into choline and acetate; it is inhibited by anticholinesterases such as neostigmine, physostigmine, and edrophonium.

7. Contrast the pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome.

   Myasthenia gravis: antibodies against postsynaptic nicotinic ACh receptors (postjunctional), weakness worsens with activity. Lambert-Eaton: antibodies against presynaptic voltage-gated Ca2+ channels reducing ACh release, weakness improves with repeated activity.

8. Describe the cross-bridge cycle of skeletal muscle contraction in sequence.

   ATP binds myosin and detaches it from actin; ATP hydrolysis cocks the myosin head; the head binds actin forming a cross-bridge; Pi release triggers the power stroke; ADP is released and the cycle repeats while Ca2+/ATP are available.

9. What is the role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and DHP/ryanodine receptors in excitation-contraction coupling of skeletal muscle?

   The T-tubule DHP receptor (voltage sensor) mechanically opens the SR ryanodine receptor (RyR1), releasing Ca2+; Ca2+ binds troponin C, moving tropomyosin off actin's myosin-binding sites.

10. Compare excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac versus skeletal muscle.

    Skeletal: mechanical coupling of DHP receptor to RyR1, no extracellular Ca2+ needed. Cardiac: Ca2+ entry through L-type channels triggers calcium-induced calcium release from SR via RyR2, so extracellular Ca2+ is essential.

11. List three key features that distinguish smooth muscle contraction from skeletal muscle contraction.

    Smooth muscle uses calmodulin (not troponin), Ca2+ activates myosin light-chain kinase to phosphorylate myosin, it can show latch-bridge sustained tone with low ATP use, and is regulated by autonomic/hormonal input rather than somatic motor neurons.

12. Give the approximate distribution of total body water among fluid compartments in a 70 kg man.

    Total body water ~60% of body weight (42 L): intracellular fluid ~40% (28 L) and extracellular fluid ~20% (14 L), with ECF split into interstitial (~11 L) and plasma (~3 L).

13. Name the indicators used to measure total body water, ECF volume, and plasma volume.

    Total body water: deuterium/tritiated water or antipyrine. ECF: inulin, mannitol, or sucrose. Plasma volume: Evans blue dye or radioiodinated (I-131) albumin.

14. Distinguish primary active transport, secondary active transport, and facilitated diffusion.

    Primary active transport directly uses ATP (e.g., Na+/K+-ATPase). Secondary active transport uses an ion gradient established by primary transport (e.g., SGLT, Na+/Ca2+ exchanger). Facilitated diffusion moves solute down its gradient via a carrier/channel with no energy use.

15. List the phases of the cardiac cycle.

    Atrial systole, isovolumetric (isovolumic) ventricular contraction, rapid ejection, reduced ejection, isovolumetric ventricular relaxation, rapid filling, and reduced filling (diastasis).

16. On the left ventricular pressure-volume loop, identify what the width and the area represent.

    The width (difference between end-diastolic and end-systolic volume) equals the stroke volume; the area enclosed by the loop represents the stroke work of the ventricle.

17. What causes the first (S1) and second (S2) heart sounds?

    S1 is caused by closure of the mitral and tricuspid (AV) valves at the start of ventricular systole; S2 is caused by closure of the aortic and pulmonary (semilunar) valves at the end of systole.

18. Write the formulas for stroke volume, cardiac output, and ejection fraction.

    Stroke volume = EDV - ESV. Cardiac output = stroke volume x heart rate. Ejection fraction = (SV/EDV) x 100 (normal ~55-70%).

19. Trace the normal cardiac conduction pathway and give the site of slowest conduction.

    SA node -> atrial muscle -> AV node -> bundle of His -> right and left bundle branches -> Purkinje fibers -> ventricular myocardium. The AV node has the slowest conduction (producing the PR-segment delay).

20. Describe the phases of the ventricular (fast-response) cardiac action potential and their ionic basis.

    Phase 0: rapid Na+ influx (upstroke); Phase 1: transient K+ efflux (early repolarization); Phase 2: plateau from Ca2+ influx balanced by K+ efflux; Phase 3: K+ efflux repolarization; Phase 4: resting potential maintained by Na+/K+-ATPase.

21. What does each ECG wave/interval represent: P wave, QRS complex, T wave, PR interval, QT interval?

    P wave = atrial depolarization; QRS = ventricular depolarization (atrial repolarization is hidden); T wave = ventricular repolarization; PR interval = atrial depolarization plus AV nodal delay; QT interval = total ventricular depolarization and repolarization.

22. What ionic mechanism produces the SA node pacemaker potential (phase 4 slow depolarization)?

    The 'funny' current (I_f, Na+ influx through HCN channels) plus T-type and L-type Ca2+ influx and decaying K+ efflux drive the spontaneous diastolic depolarization to threshold.

See more Physiology flashcards →

Planning Physiology for NEET PG

Physiology (NEET PG) FAQ