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Physiology Flashcards

7 cards from real PCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. A patient with SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion) would present with which lab finding?

    Answer: Hyponatremia with concentrated urine

    Excess ADH causes water retention, diluting serum Na⁺ (hyponatremia) while the urine remains inappropriately concentrated due to continued water reabsorption.

  2. Which phase of the cardiac cycle is associated with the first heart sound (S1)?

    Answer: Closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves

    S1 is produced by the closure of the AV valves (mitral and tricuspid) at the onset of systole when ventricular pressure exceeds atrial pressure.

  3. During inspiration, intrathoracic pressure decreases. This primarily causes:

    Answer: Increased venous return and right heart filling

    Negative intrathoracic pressure during inspiration expands the great veins and right atrium, drawing blood into the thoracic cavity and increasing venous return.

  4. The respiratory system's primary defense against acidosis from CO₂ retention is:

    Answer: Increased respiratory rate to blow off CO₂

    Chemoreceptors sense rising PCO₂/falling pH and drive increased ventilation, expiring more CO₂ and rapidly correcting respiratory acidosis.

  5. Intestinal glucose absorption against its concentration gradient depends on which cotransport mechanism?

    Answer: Na⁺/glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) powered by Na⁺ gradient

    SGLT1 couples glucose uptake to Na⁺ entry down its electrochemical gradient, which is maintained by basolateral Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase—secondary active transport.

  6. Which autonomic change occurs during the diving reflex in humans?

    Answer: Bradycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction

    Cold water facial immersion triggers vagal bradycardia and sympathetic peripheral vasoconstriction, shunting blood to vital organs (heart and brain).

  7. Secretin, released by S cells in the duodenum, primarily stimulates:

    Answer: Pancreatic bicarbonate secretion to neutralize acid

    Acidic chyme in the duodenum triggers secretin release, which acts on pancreatic ductal cells to secrete HCO₃⁻-rich fluid that neutralizes gastric acid.