2026 Sample Physiology Exam Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, physiological values, and concepts from the 2026 sample exam questions including membrane transport, cardiac cycle, and respiratory mechanics.

Facilitated diffusion

A membrane transport process where the uptake occurs down an electrochemical gradient, is independent of other solutes, and saturates at high extracellular drug concentrations.

Peroxisomes

Organelles responsible for neutralizing drugs and toxins.

Unsaturated phospholipid content

A characteristic of the cell membrane that, when increased, will increase membrane fluidity.

Feedback gain of $-3.0$

Indicates a negative feedback system capable of correcting $3/4$ of the initial disturbance to the system.

Effectors

The missing component at the end of the standard negative feedback flow: Stimulus $\rightarrow$ Sensor $\rightarrow$ Control center $\rightarrow$ X.

Carrier-mediated transport

An explanation for why $d$-glucose moves across a plasma membrane faster than $l$-glucose in the presence of insulin, demonstrating stereospecificity.

Atrioventricular (AV) nodal cells

Cells that require calcium influx for cell membrane depolarization at the threshold potential.

Phase 0 (SA Node)

The upstroke in slow-response cardiac action potentials caused by the influx of $Ca^{2+}$.

Atrioventricular node delay

The location within the cardiac conduction tissue where the normal physiologic delay occurs.

Medulla oblongata

The area of the brain where the cardiovascular centers are located.

Plateau phase

The phase in a ventricular cell action potential accounted for by the influx of calcium.

Isovolumic contraction

The term used to refer to ventricular contraction while no blood is being ejected.

Atrial diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle during which most blood enters the ventricle.

First heart sound

Represents the closing of the atrioventricular valves during the cardiac cycle.

Mitral valve

The valve that separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.

Respiratory membrane

Composed of capillary and alveolar epithelial cells, their basement membranes, and adjacent fluid.

Internal respiration

The exchange of gases between body tissues and capillary blood.

Phrenic nerve

The nerve arising from vertebrae $C3$ to $C5$ that innervates the diaphragm.

Central chemoreceptors

Sensors in the brain stem that increase breathing rate in response to an increase in $CO_2$ and $H^+$ concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Active expiration muscles

The internal intercostals and abdominal recti, which contract during forced expiration such as during a 10-km run.

Right-shifted O2 dissociation curve

A shift that allows more $O_2$ to be unloaded from the blood for a given $PO_2$ compared to a normal curve.

Total lung capacity

A lung capacity that cannot be directly measured using spirometry.

Intrapleural pressure of $-6\,mmHg$

A pressure condition between the visceral and parietal pleura that causes the lungs to fill with air.

Calcium channel blocking drug effect

A medication that causes a decrease in stroke volume ($SV$) due to reduced cardiac contractility.

Diuretic drug

A treatment for hypertension (e.g., $180/112\,mmHg$) that helps by reducing blood volume to lower blood pressure.