All Free Physiology MCQs with Answers

Every Physiology question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

437 questions · page 22 of 22

  • A. Haldane effect
  • B. Hamburger effect
  • C. Breur effect
  • D. Bohr effect

Explanation: The Bohr effect describes reduced haemoglobin affinity for oxygen when tissue CO2 and hydrogen ion concentration rise, promoting oxygen…

Correct answer: Bohr effect
  • A. Apex of lung
  • B. Base of lung
  • C. Posterior lobe of lung
  • D. Middle lobe of lung

Explanation: The apex has relatively greater ventilation-perfusion ratio because perfusion decreases more sharply than ventilation toward the top of…

Correct answer: Apex of lung
  • A. Tidal volume
  • B. Inspiratory reserve volume plus expiratory volume
  • C. Tidal volume plus inspiratory reserve volume plus expiratory reserve volume
  • D. Expiratory reserve volume plus reserve volume

Explanation: Vital capacity is the maximum volume expired after a maximal inspiration, so it equals tidal volume plus inspiratory reserve volume plus…

Correct answer: Tidal volume plus inspiratory reserve volume plus expiratory reserve volume
  • A. Increased pH
  • B. Hypothermia
  • C. HbF
  • D. Hypoxia

Explanation: Hypoxia decreases haemoglobin's oxygen affinity mainly through increased 2,3-BPG, shifting the dissociation curve to the right.

Correct answer: Hypoxia
  • A. Hypoxia
  • B. Alkalosis
  • C. Increased HbF
  • D. Hypothermia

Explanation: Alkalosis, hypothermia and HbF increase haemoglobin's oxygen affinity by shifting the dissociation curve to the left.

Correct answer: Hypoxia
  • A. Dopamine metabolism
  • B. Serotonin metabolism
  • C. Adrenaline metabolism
  • D. PGE2 production

Explanation: Pulmonary endothelial cells metabolise circulating serotonin, making serotonin clearance a recognised non-respiratory function of the…

Correct answer: Serotonin metabolism
  • A. Ciliary motility
  • B. Cellular hyperplasia
  • C. Mucous secretion
  • D. All of the above

Explanation: Smoking impairs ciliary movement and causes mucous gland or epithelial hyperplasia with increased mucus secretion.

Correct answer: All of the above
  • A. Herring - Breur reflex
  • B. Bainbridge reflex
  • C. Autonomic reflex
  • D. Dynamic stretch reflex

Explanation: The Hering-Breuer inflation reflex is triggered by vagal stretch receptors during lung inflation and limits further inspiration.

Correct answer: Herring - Breur reflex
  • A. The relative proportion of reduced and oxygenated hemoglobin
  • B. The absolute amount of reduced hemoglobin
  • C. Thickness of the skin
  • D. Fragility of capillaries

Explanation: Cyanosis becomes clinically apparent when the absolute amount of reduced haemoglobin rises to roughly 5 g/dL, rather than simply from a…

Correct answer: The absolute amount of reduced hemoglobin
  • A. Intrapulmonary pressure falls
  • B. Intra thoracic pressure rises
  • C. Intra-abdominal pressure rises
  • D. The partial pressure of O2 in dead space rises

Explanation: During inspiration, intrapulmonary and intrathoracic pressures fall, while descent of the diaphragm raises intra-abdominal pressure.

Correct answer: Intra thoracic pressure rises
  • A. Decrease in arterial carbon dioxide level
  • B. None of the above
  • C. Increase in arterial oxygen level
  • D. Increase in arterial carbon dioxide level

Explanation: An increase in arterial CO₂ raises hydrogen ion concentration in brain extracellular fluid and strongly stimulates the medullary…

Correct answer: Increase in arterial carbon dioxide level
  • A. Rise in pH
  • B. Rise in carbon dioxide tension
  • C. Rise in temperature
  • D. Rise in H+ ion

Explanation: A rise in temperature, CO₂, or H⁺ shifts the curve rightward and promotes oxygen unloading.

Correct answer: Rise in pH
  • A. Cyanosis
  • B. Hypercapnia
  • C. Dyspnea
  • D. Hypoxia

Explanation: Hypoventilation reduces CO₂ elimination, so arterial CO₂ rises and hypercapnia is the defining biochemical abnormality.

Correct answer: Hypercapnia
  • A. Positive
  • B. Less negative
  • C. More negative
  • D. Equal to the intra alveolar pressure

Explanation: Diaphragmatic contraction enlarges the thoracic cavity and makes intrapleural pressure more negative.

Correct answer: More negative
  • A. Bicarbonate
  • B. Carbomino compounds
  • C. Dissolved
  • D. CO

Explanation: Most carbon dioxide is converted inside red blood cells to bicarbonate, which then circulates in the plasma; only a smaller fraction is…

Correct answer: Bicarbonate
  • A. Cerebrum
  • B. Medulla oblongata
  • C. Hypothalamus
  • D. Cerebellum

Explanation: The medulla contains the essential respiratory rhythm-generating centres, so its destruction stops the automatic drive to breathe.

Correct answer: Medulla oblongata
  • A. Midbrain
  • B. Spinal cord
  • C. Medulla oblongata
  • D. HypothalamusTry Nootropic Supplements

Explanation: The medulla contains the main dorsal and ventral respiratory groups that generate and regulate the basic breathing rhythm.

Correct answer: Medulla oblongata