Human physiology worksheet with answers

Which gland is often called the "master gland" because it controls many other endocrine glands?

1. APituitary gland
2. BAdrenal gland
3. CPineal gland
4. DThyroid gland

Most homeostatic control systems in the body work by:

1. ARandom variation
2. BFeed-forward only
3. CNegative feedback
4. DPositive feedback

Which pituitary hormone stimulates the thyroid gland?

1. AThyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
2. BGrowth hormone (GH)
3. CAdrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
4. DLuteinising hormone (LH)

Cardiac output equals heart rate multiplied by:

1. ABlood pressure
2. BEjection fraction
3. CPeripheral resistance
4. DStroke volume

Low plasma albumin, as in severe liver disease, causes oedema mainly because:

1. ALymphatic drainage increases
2. BCapillary hydrostatic pressure falls
3. CPlasma oncotic pressure falls
4. DThe capillaries become impermeable

According to Poiseuille's law, if the radius of an arteriole halves, its resistance to flow:

1. AIncreases 4-fold
2. BIncreases about 16-fold
3. CHalves
4. DDoubles

At the start of a fever, a patient shivers and feels cold even though body temperature is rising. Why?

1. APyrogens raise the hypothalamic set point above the current body temperature
2. BSweating has already cooled the body too much
3. CThe body has lost its ability to produce heat
4. DThe thermoreceptors in the skin are destroyed

Why is severe hyperkalaemia dangerous for the heart?

1. AIt blocks the binding of calcium to troponin
2. BIt depolarises cardiac cells, inactivating sodium channels and causing arrhythmias
3. CIt hyperpolarises cardiac cells, so they can never fire
4. DIt speeds up the SA node until tachycardia causes fainting