PNC Licensing Examination Anatomy, Physiology and Biosciences Syllabus

List the ABO blood group antigens and which group is the universal donor.

Group A (A antigen), B (B antigen), AB (both), O (neither). Group O negative is the universal donor.

What protein in red blood cells carries oxygen, and what is normal hemoglobin range in adult males and females?

Hemoglobin. Normal: males approximately 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL; females approximately 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL.

Define blood pressure and state the normal value.

The force exerted by blood against arterial walls. Normal is about 120/80 mmHg (systolic/diastolic).

Name the conducting and respiratory zones of the respiratory tract.

Conducting zone: nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles (no gas exchange). Respiratory zone: respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveoli (gas exchange occurs).

Where does gas exchange occur in the lungs and by what process?

In the alveoli, across the respiratory membrane, by simple diffusion (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out).

What muscle is the primary muscle of inspiration, and what nerve controls it?

The diaphragm, controlled by the phrenic nerve (C3-C5).

What are the two main divisions of the nervous system and their components?

Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (cranial and spinal nerves, ganglia).

Name the functional divisions of the autonomic nervous system and their general effects.

Sympathetic (fight or flight, increases heart rate, dilates pupils) and parasympathetic (rest and digest, slows heart rate, stimulates digestion).

What is a neuron's structure, and what is a synapse?

A neuron has dendrites (receive signals), a cell body (soma), and an axon (transmits signals). A synapse is the junction where a neuron communicates with another cell, usually via neurotransmitters.

How many pairs of cranial nerves and spinal nerves are there?

12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Name the three layers (tunics) of the eye from outer to inner.

Sclera/cornea (outer fibrous), choroid/iris/ciliary body (middle vascular), and retina (inner neural layer with photoreceptors).

What are the photoreceptors of the retina and their functions?

Rods (dim light/night and peripheral vision, black and white) and cones (bright light, color, and sharp central vision).

List the three regions of the ear and the function of each.

Outer ear (collects sound), middle ear (ossicles amplify and transmit sound), inner ear (cochlea for hearing, vestibular apparatus for balance).

What hormones does the anterior pituitary secrete?

GH, TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH, and prolactin (mnemonic: GTAFLP / FLAT PiG).

Which gland regulates blood glucose, and which hormones does it secrete?

The pancreas (islets of Langerhans). Insulin (lowers blood glucose) from beta cells and glucagon (raises blood glucose) from alpha cells.

What hormones does the thyroid gland produce and what is their main function?

Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) regulate metabolism; calcitonin lowers blood calcium.

Name the hormones of the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla.

Cortex: mineralocorticoids (aldosterone), glucocorticoids (cortisol), and androgens. Medulla: epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine.

List the main organs of the gastrointestinal tract in order.

Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), large intestine (colon), rectum, anus.

Name the accessory organs of digestion and one function of each.

Liver (produces bile, detoxification), gallbladder (stores bile), pancreas (digestive enzymes and insulin), and salivary glands (saliva with amylase).

Where are most nutrients absorbed in the GI tract, and what structures increase its surface area?

In the small intestine, mainly the jejunum. Surface area is increased by circular folds, villi, and microvilli.

What is the functional unit of the kidney, and what are its main parts?

The nephron. Main parts: glomerulus and Bowman's capsule, proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubule, and collecting duct.

What are the three basic processes of urine formation?

Glomerular filtration, tubular reabsorption, and tubular secretion.

Which hormones regulate water and sodium balance in the kidney?

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH/vasopressin) increases water reabsorption; aldosterone increases sodium (and thus water) reabsorption.

Name the main organs of the male reproductive system.

Testes (produce sperm and testosterone), epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and penis.

Name the main organs of the female reproductive system and the site of fertilization.

Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina. Fertilization normally occurs in the fallopian tube (ampulla).

Compare bacteria and viruses in terms of cell structure and reproduction.

Bacteria are living prokaryotic cells that reproduce by binary fission. Viruses are acellular, non-living particles (DNA/RNA in a protein coat) that must replicate inside a host cell.

What is the difference between fungi and parasites as pathogens? Give an example of each.

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms (yeasts, molds) causing infections like candidiasis. Parasites live on or in a host at its expense, e.g., Plasmodium (malaria) or worms (helminths).

Differentiate innate and adaptive (acquired) immunity.

Innate immunity is non-specific, present from birth (skin, phagocytes, inflammation). Adaptive immunity is specific, develops after exposure, has memory, and is mediated by lymphocytes (B and T cells).

What are the two arms of the adaptive immune response and the cells responsible?

Humoral immunity (B cells producing antibodies) and cell-mediated immunity (T cells, including helper and cytotoxic T cells).

List the main routes of infectious disease transmission.

Direct contact, droplet, airborne, vehicle-borne (food, water, blood), and vector-borne (insects/animals). Also fecal-oral and vertical (mother to fetus).