High Yield Topic for Pre-university Examination

Physiology Paper 1

A) General Physiology

1. Primary active transport with examples and functions of Na + - K+ - ATPase pump

2. Homeostatic mechanism with examples
3. Diffusion: Fick’s law, Simple Vs Facilitated with examples
4.Cell organelles & their functions: Mitochondria, Lysosomes, Peroxisomes, Endoplasmic reticula
5.Nernst’s equilibrium potential
B) Blood

1. Plasma proteins & their functions

2. Erythropoiesis: Phases, Steps, Regulation
3. Anaemia: Classification, Clinical features, Investigations and Treatment
4. Classification , function and synthesis of WBCs with changes in granules in granulocytes
5. Immunity: Definition, Classification, Components and development
6. Phagocytosis
7. Cell mediated Vs Humoral immunity.
8. Structure, classification and functions of immunoglobulins
9. Functions of platelets
10. Steps involved in haemostasis, coagulation cascade,heamophilia, von Willibrand’s disease
11. Hazards of blood transfusion & eythroblastosis foetalis

C) CVS

1. Conducting system of heart & AP in SAN, Purkinje fibres

2. ECG: Physiological basis of various waves, Eithoven’s law + traingle, ECG in acute myocardial
infarction & heart block – Wemckbach’s & Stokes- Adam’s
3. Properties of cardiac muscle
4. Factors affecting viscosity of blood, types of blood vessels and vis-a-tergo + vis-a-fronte
mechanisms
5. Cardiac cycle: Phases/Events, JV pulse, Left ventricular pressure-volume changes
6. Cardiac output: Definition, normal value, factors affecting, regulation, significance of LVEF &
heart failure
7. Regulation of BP: Short term & RAAS
8. Shock: Definition., Classification, stages of hypovolemic shock, clinical features and
physiological basis for treatment of each type of shock

D) RS

1. Mechanics of breathing: Muscles of respiration, pulmonary surfactant, pressure – volume changes,

definition & classification of lung compliance; work of breathing
2. Respiratory membrane & diffusion lung capacity
3. Hb- O2 dissociation curve & Chloride shift
4. Pulmonary function tests with significance of FRC, Role of FEV 1 in classification of pulmonary
disorders
5. Regulation of respiration: Neural, Chemical, Herring Breuer’s reflex, J Reflex
6. Hypoxia: Definition, Classification, Causes, Clinical features and Physiological basis of treatment
for each type of hypoxia.
7. Abnormal bretahing patterns: Periodic breathing – Biot’s breathing, Chyene- Stokes breathing
 E) GIT
1. Composition and functions of : Saliva, Bile & Pancreatic juice
2. Gastric juice: Composition, secretion, regulation and peptic ulcer disease- cause, clinical features
and physiological basis for treatment.
3. BER, MMC, Peristalsis
4. Deglutition: Phases, neural regulation, achalasia cardia
5. Bile salts: nature/synthesis, functions
6. Enterohepatic circulation
7. GI hormones: Classification, functions & regulation of Gastin & CCK secretion
8. Cystic fibrosis
9. Jaundice: Definition, Causes, Classification and Clinical features with Liver function tests

F) Renal
1. Juxtaglomerular apparatus: structure & function
2. GFR: Definition, normal value, methods of measurement, regulation
3. Renal handling of water & sodium & its neuro-hormonal regulation
4. Renal threshold, Transport maximum and reabsorption of glucose
5. Concentration & acidification of urine
6. Neural regulation of micturition, cystometrogram. Disorders of micturition- urinary incontinence,
atonic bladder, autonomic bladder & automatic bladder
7. Pathophysiology of oedema
8. Acid-base disorders: Classification with examples

G) AETCOM
1. Components of doctor-patient relationship
2. 17 Rights of the patient

H) Exercise, Environmental, Aging, Yoga & Lifestyle Physiology

1. Oxygen debt
2. Classification of exercise
3. Immediate effects of exercise and Effect of regular exercise on various body systems
4. Adjustments to high altitude, Clinical features & treatment of acute mountain sickness, high
altitude cerebral & pulmonary oedema
5. Role of free radicals in aging
6. Effect of regular practice of Yoga on various body systems
7. Types of aasanas & pranayama
8. Eight limbs of Yoga (Ashthanga Yoga)
 Physiology Paper 2
A) Nerve & muscle Physiology

1. Classify nerve fibres/neurons: Emphasis on Erlanger-Gasser classification & Numerical (for

sensory neurons) classification, Factors affecting myelination
2. Ionic basis of nerve action potential & properties of action potential
3. Saltatory conduction of nerve impulse
4. Classification of nerve injuries: i. Sunderland, ii. Seddon. Clinical features and Regeneration of
injured nerve, Wallerian degeneration.
5. Strength- Duration curve with Significance of Chronaxie
6. Compound action potential
7. Distinguish between skeletal and smooth muscle
8. Neuromuscular junction and myasthenia gravis & neuromuscular blockers
9. Sarcomere and changes in it during contraction
10. Sarcoplasmic triad with Excitation – contraction coupling
11. Red Vs White/Pale skeletal muscles
12. Energy resources for skeletal muscle
13. Fatigue Vs Rigor mortis
14. Isometric Vs Isotonic contraction
15. Latch bridge mechanism
16. Single unit Vs Multi -unit smooth muscles

B) CNS, ANS, Temperature regulation & Brain death

1. Synapse: Definition, types, Properties (special emphasis on EPSP,IPSP, post-tetanic potentiation,
plasticity)
2. Reflex: Definition, classification, properties
3. Receptor: Classification, properties (special emphasis on Weber-Fechner law, law of projection,
Muller’s doctrine of specific nerve energies)
4. Head’s classification of superficial senseations
5. Cross section of spinal cord showing various Rexed laminae, ascending & descending tracts.
6. Pain pathway for body & HNF region. Analgesia system and theories of Referred pain
7. Dorsal column pathway,arrangement of spinal segments in dorsal column tract, demyelination
disorders: SACD, Syringomyelia
8. Pyramidal Vs. Extra-pyramidal tracts, UMN Vs. LMN Lesions
9. Spinal shock: Stages, symptoms. Transection/ hemisection of soinal cord.
10. Sensory Vs. Motor ataxia
11. Basal nuclei: structure, connection, functions& Parkinson’s disease
12. Cerebellum: Phylogenic & functional classification of parts, neurons on cerebellum, deep
nuclei, connections, functions, function tests
13. Functions of thalamus , hypothalamus & RAS.
14. Structure of vestibular apparatus: semicircular canals, utricle & saccule. Functions & motion
sickness
15. Postural reflexes with special emphasis on righting reflexes, Decerebrate Vs. Decorticate
16. Sleep: stages, EEG patterns & abnormalities of sleep
17. Learning & memory: Classificaton & mechanism of development. Neuronal plasticity
18. CSF circulation
19. Important Broadman’s area in cerebral cortex and functions assigned to various lobes
20. Aphasia: Wernicke’s Vs. Broca’s
21. Mechanisms of loss & generation of heat from bosy. Heat stroke
22. Sympathetic Vs. Parasympathetic nervous system
 C) Special senses
1. Concept of reduced eye
2. Errors of refraction: Myopia, Hypermetropia, Prebyopia, Astigmatism
3. Visual pathway and its lesions
4. Interneurons in retina
5. Structure of rod and cone
6. Dark and light adaptation, Development of receptor potential in Rods & Cones
7. Theories of colour vision and colour blindness
8. Visual reflexes & Argyll Robertson Pupil, Adie - Holme’s pupil
9. Organ of Corti
10. Cochlear microphonic potentials
11. Functions of middle ear & impedance matching
12. Place principle & Volley principle
13. Auditory pathway
14. Structure and functions of vestibular apparatus: Utricle, Saccule & Semicircular canals
15. Test for hearing & equilibrium
16. Labyrithine reflexes
17. Olfactory membrane & olfactory pathway
18. Taste: Types, gustatory pathway

D) Endocrine Physiology
1. Classification of hormones based on: Chemistry & Cellular mechansim of hormone action
2. Functions of: Oxytocin, Prolactin
3. Functions, regulation of: GH, Cortisol, Thyroxine (+ synthesis), Insulin, Glucagon, Aldosterone
4. Hormonal Regulation of: Calcium metabolism & Glucose metabolism
5. Endocrine disorders (clinical features, investigations & treatment): Acromegaly, Hypothyroidism,
Hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, Conn’s syndrome, Phaeochromocytoma,
Diabetes insipidus, Diabetes mellitus, SIADH, Tetany.

E) Reproductive Physiology
1.Spermatogenesis: Steps, duration and regulation
2. Functions of : Sertoli cell & Leydig’s cell
3. Menstrual cycle: Phases of Ovarian & Endometrial cycles with hormonal regulation
4. Functions of: Oestrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone/ Androgens
5. Tests for: Ovulation & Pregnancy
6. Tanner’s sexual maturity staging & hormonal control of onset of puberty
7. Functions of placenta
8. Methods of contraception