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Question 1
Correct
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In most somatic cells telomeres progressively shorten as:
Your Answer: The cell divides
Explanation:Telomerase activity is seen in germ cells and is absent in somatic cells. A somatic cell is any biological cell forming the body of an organism, other than a gamete, germ cell, gametocyte or undifferentiated stem cell. i.e. liver cells. Telomeres prevent the chromosomes from shortening and prevent the coding portion of the DNA from being lost, thus allowing the cell to replicate indefinitely. During replication telomeres may be lost resulting in cell death.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 2
Incorrect
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Question 3
Correct
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As assessed by immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy, the anterior pituitary gland contains how many different types of cells?
Your Answer: 5
Explanation:The pituitary is divided into three sections
-the anterior lobe which constitute the majority of the pituitary mass and is composed primarily of five hormone-producing cell types (thyrotropes, lactotropes, corticotropes, somatotropes and gonadotropes) each secreting thyrotropin, prolactin, ACTH, growth hormone and gonadotropins (FSH and LH) respectively.
There is also a sixth cell type in the anterior lobe -the non-endocrine, agranular, folliculostellate cells.
The intermediate lobe produces melanocyte-stimulating hormone and endorphins, whereas the posterior lobe secretes anti-diuretic hormone (vasopressin) and oxytocin.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Endocrinology
- Medicine
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Question 4
Correct
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A 65-year-old man presents to you three weeks after initiating metformin for type 2 diabetes mellitus. His body mass index is 27.5 kg/m^2. At a dose of 500mg TDS the patient has experienced significant diarrhoea. Even on reducing the dose to 500mg BD his symptoms persisted. What is the most appropriate next step in this patient?
Your Answer: Start modified release metformin 500mg od with evening meal
Explanation:Here, the patient seems to be intolerant to standard metformin. In such cases, modified-release preparations is considered as the most appropriate next step. There is some evidence that these produce fewer gastrointestinal side-effects in patients intolerant of standard-release metformin.Metformin is a biguanide and reduces blood glucose levels by decreasing the production of glucose in the liver, decreasing intestinal absorption and increasing insulin sensitivity. Metformin decreases both the basal and postprandial blood glucose.Other uses: In Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Metformin decreases insulin levels, which then decreases luteinizing hormone and androgen levels. Thus acting to normalize the menstruation cycle.Note:Metformin is contraindicated in patients with severe renal dysfunction, which is defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 30 ml/min/1.732m2. Metformin overdose has been associated with hypoglycaemia and lactic acidosis, for this reason, it has a black box warning for lactic acidosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 5
Correct
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The cells that secrete HCL are found in which part of the stomach?
Your Answer: Body
Explanation:The stomach can be divided in to different regions. Cardia, fundus, body, antrum and pylorus from proximal end to distal end respectively. Different cell types are distributed accordingly among the regions of the stomach. Cells that secret HCl in the gastric mucosa are known as parietal cells and are abundant in the gastric body region. They have receptors for acetylcholine stimulated via the vagus nerve, histamine receptors and gastrin receptors which stimulate gastric acid secretion. G cells that secret gastrin are abundant in the antrum.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 6
Correct
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The end product of trehalase action on oligosaccharides is
Your Answer: Two glucose molecules
Explanation:Disaccharides are glycoside hydrolases, enzymes that break down certain types of sugars called disaccharides into simpler sugars called monosaccharides.Examples of disaccharides:Lactase (breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose)Maltase (breaks down maltose into 2 glucoses)Sucrase (breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose)Trehalase (breaks down trehalose into 2 glucoses)
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 7
Incorrect
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The complete oxidation of 1 molecule of glucose to CO2 and H20 produces a total of __ATP.
Your Answer: 34
Correct Answer: 38
Explanation:Textbooks often state that 38 ATP molecules can be made per oxidised glucose molecule during cellular respiration (2 from glycolysis, 2 from the Krebs cycle, and about 34 from the electron transport system). However, this maximum yield is never quite reached because of losses due to leaky membranes as well as the cost of moving pyruvate and ADP into the mitochondrial matrix, and current estimates range around 29 to 30 ATP per glucose.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
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Question 8
Correct
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Where is most of the filtered sodium reabsorbed?
Your Answer: Proximal tubule
Explanation:Renal reabsorption of sodium (Na+) is a part of renal physiology. It uses Na-H antiport, Na-glucose symport, sodium ion channels (minor). It is stimulated by angiotensin II and aldosterone, and inhibited by atrial natriuretic peptide. Most of the reabsorption (65%) occurs in the proximal tubule.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Renal
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Question 9
Correct
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The hippocampus is involved in the memory of:
Your Answer: Facts
Explanation:The hippocampus plays an important role in forming new memories about experienced events. Some researchers say that hippocampus plays a major role in declarative memory for example memory of facts.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 10
Correct
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Which of the following acts on the pancreas to secrete pancreatic juice that is rich in enzymes?
Your Answer: CCK
Explanation:CCK (Cholecystokinin): CCK is released by the duodenum in response to the presence of fats and proteins in the small intestine. It stimulates the pancreas to secrete enzyme-rich pancreatic juice, which aids in the digestion of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. It also stimulates the gallbladder to contract and release bile.
Secretin: Secretin is released by the duodenum in response to acidic chyme entering from the stomach. It primarily stimulates the pancreas to release bicarbonate-rich pancreatic juice to neutralize the acid, but it does not primarily stimulate enzyme secretion.
Gastrin: Gastrin is produced by G-cells in the stomach. It stimulates gastric acid secretion by the stomach, not pancreatic enzyme secretion.
Chymotrypsin: Chymotrypsin is an enzyme produced by the pancreas. It does not act to stimulate the pancreas; rather, it is a component of the pancreatic juice that helps digest proteins.
Elastase: Elastase is also an enzyme produced by the pancreas. Like chymotrypsin, it is involved in the digestion of proteins and does not stimulate the pancreas.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 11
Incorrect
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A patient who has mild benign prostatic hyperplasia has been advised to take finasteride.The mechanism of action of this drug involves inhibition of the production of which of the following androgens?
Your Answer: Dehydroepiandrosterone
Correct Answer: Dihydrotestosterone
Explanation:Finasteride inhibits the formation of dihydrotestosterone.Finasteride is a 5α-reductase inhibitor and thus, inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is much more active than testosterone and binds more avidly to cytoplasmic receptors. DHT stimulates prostate growth and may be responsible for benign prostatic hyperplasia in the elderly. Thus, finasteride can cause a reduction in prostatic volume and help in managing a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 12
Incorrect
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The thalamic nuclei that project over wide regions of the neocortex are:
Your Answer: None of the above
Correct Answer: Specific relay nuclei
Explanation:The thalamus is considered the relay station for sensory and motor stimuli. There are three basic types of thalamic nuclei: relay nuclei, association nuclei and non-specific nuclei. Relay nuclei receive very well defined inputs and project this signal to functionally distinct areas of the cerebral cortex. These include the nuclei that relay primary sensations and also the nuclei involved in feedback of cerebellar signals and basal gangliar output.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 13
Incorrect
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Which vitamin plays a major role in the metabolism of many amino acids?
Your Answer: Vitamin B3
Correct Answer: Vitamin B6
Explanation:Vitamin B6 is part of the vitamin B group, and its active form, pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) serves as a coenzyme in many enzyme reactions in amino acid, glucose, and lipid metabolism.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Haematology
- Medicine
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Question 14
Correct
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Question 15
Incorrect
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The channel that coalesces the small pancreatic duct radicles before joining the common bile duct is known as the:
Your Answer: Duct of Oddi
Correct Answer: Duct of Wirsung
Explanation:The small ducts from the pancreas coalesce into a single duct known as the pancreatic duct or the duct of Wirsung. It usually joins the bile duct at the ampulla of Vater before entering the duodenum.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 16
Correct
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Which of the following with regard to autosomal dominant disorders are true:
Your Answer: The offspring of a heterozygous individual has a 50% chance of inheriting the chromosome carrying the disease allele
Explanation:50% of the children will be effected from parents who are heterozygous for an autosomal dominant disorder. An allele can be dominant or recessive. Individuals, meanwhile, can be homozygous or heterozygous: individuals who are homozygous for a certain gene carry two copies of the same allele. individuals who are heterozygous for a certain gene carry two different alleles.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 17
Incorrect
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What is the function of cytotoxic T cells?
Your Answer: Kill by initiating apoptosis
Correct Answer: Kill by inserting perforins and by initiating apoptosis
Explanation:Cytotoxic T cells, once activated, approach the infected cell, insert perforins and release granzymes inducing apoptosis.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Immunology
- Medicine
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Question 18
Correct
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Which of the following provides the sympathetic nervous supply to the stomach?
Your Answer: Coeliac plexus
Explanation:Parasympathetic innervation to the stomach is from the vagus nerve and the sympathetic innervation is from the coeliac plexus.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 19
Incorrect
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Under normal conditions (where n represents the number of chromosome pairs), just before mitosis begins, how many chromosomes are contained in the nucleus of each somatic cell:
Your Answer: 2n
Correct Answer: 4n
Explanation:In a normal somatic cell there are 2n chromosome but in a replicating cell just before mitosis the chromosomes duplicate but are still joined via the centrosome. Thus there are 4n chromosomes. After completion of mitosis the number goes back to 2n.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 20
Correct
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Myocyte action potentials – Choose the false statement:
Your Answer: Repolarisation is due to net k+ influx
Explanation:Final repolarization (phase 3) to the resting membrane potential (phase 4) is due to closure of the Ca2+ channels and a slow, delayed increase of K+ efflux through various types of K+ channels.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 21
Incorrect
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Select the correct pairing regarding the surface of the cerebral hemispheres.
Your Answer: Occipital lobe : primary auditory cortex
Correct Answer: Parietal lobe : primary somatosensory cortex
Explanation:Parietal lobe: The primary somatosensory cortex is located in the postcentral gyrus of the parietal lobe. It is responsible for processing sensory information from the body.
Frontal lobe: The primary motor cortex is located in the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe. The frontal lobe also contains the premotor cortex, which is involved in planning movements. The primary visual cortex is located in the occipital lobe, not the frontal lobe.
Temporal lobe: The primary auditory cortex is located in the superior temporal gyrus of the temporal lobe. The primary motor and premotor cortices are located in the frontal lobe, not the temporal lobe.
Occipital lobe: The primary visual cortex is located in the occipital lobe. The primary auditory cortex is located in the temporal lobe, not the occipital lobe.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Neurology
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Question 22
Correct
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When the heart rate is increased (to pathological levels) which of the following is correct when comparing the duration of diastole to systole?
Your Answer: It is shortened to a greater degree
Explanation:The duration of systole is more fixed than the duration of diastole. When the heart rate increases the timing of the systole remains more or less the same however diastole decreases.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 23
Correct
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Question 24
Incorrect
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Histamine, acetylcholine and gastrin act by way of which second messengers in the release of acid by parietal cells:
Your Answer: Ip3
Correct Answer: A and D
Explanation:Acetylcholine, Histamine and Gastrin receptors are located on the basolateral membrane of the parietal cell and control its activity. Stimulation of these receptors modulates the levels of protein kinases in the cell and brings about the changes from a resting to stimulated structure. Protein kinase catalyses conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP which activates the proton pump. Calcium ions increase gastric acid secretion elicited by gastrin released through a vagal mechanism, and also by a direct effect on parietal cells.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Gastrointestinal
- Medicine
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Question 25
Correct
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A 40-year-old patient under treatment for gout gave a history of progressive weakness of his limbs over 2 months. He noticed that it was particularly difficult for him to get up from the toilet seat and to get out of his car. He also felt some tingling and numbness of his toes at night, which was distressing. He was taking several medications which included Ibuprofen, perindopril, colchicine, vitamin supplements, and indapamide.On examination his pulse was 85/min, blood pressure was 140/90 mmHg and fundi revealed arteriovenous nipping. He had proximal lower limb weakness of 4/5 and absent ankle reflexes. Plantar reflexes were upgoing on both sides. His serum creatinine phosphokinase level was normal.What is the most likely diagnosis?
Your Answer: Colchicine toxicity
Explanation:The given clinical scenario is suggestive of myo-neuropathy and is most likely to be caused by colchicine toxicity. It gives rise to subacute proximal muscle weakness and on occasions can lead to an acute necrotizing myopathy. Creatine phosphokinase may be normal or may be elevated.Weakness resolves when the drug is discontinued but the neuropathic features remain.Death is usually a result of respiratory depression and cardiovascular collapse.Treatment is symptomatic and supportive, and the treatment for colchicine poisoning includes lavage and measures to prevent shock.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 26
Correct
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A 24-year-old women presents following an overdose. Which one of the following would suggest anticholinergic syndrome?
Your Answer: Mydriasis occurs
Explanation:Anticholinergic syndrome results from the inhibition of muscarinic cholinergic neurotransmission. Clinical manifestations can be remembered by the mnemonic, red as a beet, dry as a bone, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter, hot as a hare, and full as a flask. The mnemonic refers to the symptoms of flushing, dry skin and mucous membranes, mydriasis (dilated pupil) with loss of accommodation, altered mental status, fever, and urinary retention, respectively.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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Question 27
Correct
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In which phase do chromosomes in the nucleus become condensed into well-defined chromosomes?
Your Answer: Metaphase
Explanation:Prophase begins when the nucleus envelope disintegrates and the chromosomes start to condense. The chromosomes consist of two sister chromatids that are joined at a constriction known as centromere. When the cell reaches the metaphase the chromosomes are completely condensed and ready to align on the equatorial plate
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Genetics
- Medicine
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Question 28
Correct
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Initial depolarization of cardiac muscle is due to influx of:
Your Answer: Na+
Explanation:Initial depolarization of the cardiac muscle results from opening of the sodium voltage gated channels. This results in the influx of sodium and an increase in the membrane potential towards threshold. Potassium efflux results in repolarization.
The cardiac action potential has 5 phases:
- Phase 0—depolarization because of the opening of fast sodium channels. Potassium flux also decreases.
- Phase 1—partial repolarization because of a rapid decrease in sodium ion passage as fast sodium channels close.
- Phase 2—plateau phase in which the movement of calcium ions out of the cell, maintains depolarization.
- Phase 3—repolarization, sodium, and calcium channels all close and membrane potential returns to baseline.
- Phase 4—resting membrane potential (−90 mV), resulting from the activity of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump which creates a negative intracellular potential because of the exchange of three sodium ions for only two potassium ions.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Cardiovascular
- Medicine
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Question 29
Incorrect
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Question 30
Correct
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Which of the following drugs requires plasma level monitoring?
Your Answer: Vancomycin
Explanation:All patients require plasma-vancomycin measurement (after 3 or 4 doses if renal function normal, earlier if renal impairment). There is a risk of nephrotoxicity including renal failure, interstitial nephritis and ototoxicity.
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This question is part of the following fields:
- Medicine
- Pharmacology
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