UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION 2016/2017

YEAR I SEMESTER I EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF

SCIENCE IN FORENSIC PHYSIOLOGY I
HBB 2104- Medical Physiology Year I Semester I 2017

DATE: Friday, 3rd February 2017 TIME: 8.30am – 10.30am

INSTRUCTIONS
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN SECTION A AND ANY OTHER TWO QUESTIONS
FROM SECTION B
QUESTION ONE: 30 MARKS
a) State the functional importance of the partial vacuum that exists in the intrapleural
space. [2 marks]
b) Name four organelles found within a human cell. [4 marks]
c) What organelle is responsible for the synthesis of ribosomes? [1 mark]
d) Describe the production and function of surfactant. [3 marks]
e) Define haematocrit and explain how it is determined. [5 marks]
f) Describe baroreceptor and one hormonal control of blood pressure. [8 marks]
g) What is meant by the term “brush border”? What are the functions of five brush
border enzymes? [7 marks]
SECTION B: ANSWER ANY TWO QUESTIONS
QUESTION TWO: 20 MARKS
a) “Pancreatic juice” contains bicarbonate and several enzymes. Describe the specific
function of bicarbonate and the general function of each pancreatic enzyme.
[10 marks]
b) What modifications of the small intestinal wall increase its internal surface area?
How does this benefit digestive efficiency? Describe the three modifications and
the degree to which each increases surface area. [10 marks]
QUESTION THREE: 20 MARKS
a) Draw and label the structures of the heart and include the four major blood vessels
[10 marks]

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b) Describe the structure and function of each of the three layers of the heart wall.
[10 marks]
QUESTION FOUR: 20 MARKS
a) List five “endocrine tissues” not associated with endocrine glands, and explain the
functions of their hormones. [10 marks]
b) Explain the cause, pathology and symptoms of Addison’s syndrome and Grave’s
disease. [10 marks]
QUESTION FIVE: 20 MARKS
a) Give a physiological example of a positive feedback control system and clearly
describe how it works. [10 marks]
b) Describe three negative effects of positive feedback. [10 marks]

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