AUTUMN EXAMINATION, 2003

GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY & MEASUREMENT IN MEDICINE

PHYSIOLOGY - PL1006

EXTERNAL EXAMINER - DR. A. NOBLE

Lecturer(s): Prof. I. Perry; Dr. M. O’Regan

DENTAL I
MEDICINE II

ONE AND A HALF HOURS

Use Separate Answer Books for each Section.

SECTION A ( 30 Marks )

Answer one question from this Section.

1. Describe the structure and function of a neuro-muscular junction.

2. Explain how the force of contraction of skeletal muscle can be graded.

 SECTION B ( 20 Marks )

Answer two questions from this Section.

1. (i) Describe the difference between continuous and categorical data and give two
examples of each.
(ii) In first year medical and dental students mean systolic blood pressure was
120mmHg, standard deviation 12mmHg and standard error of the mean
1.9mHg. Using this example explain the difference between standard
deviation and standard error of the mean.

2. Define epidemiology.
Essential hypertension and dental caries are major population health problems in a
developed country such as Ireland. Using one of these examples discuss and
describe four major uses for epidemiology as a scientific discipline.

3. The incidence of coronary heart disease has fallen in Ireland in recent years but the
prevalence of this condition has increased. Using your understanding of the
concepts of incidence and prevalence and the difference between them, explain this
apparent paradox.

SECTION C ( 50 Marks )

Answer five questions from this Section.

1. What is active transport?

2. Explain what is likely to happen to red blood corpuscles when they are placed in
each of the following solutions:
(a) 0.3M NaCl;
(b) 0.3M Urea;
(c) 0.15M NaCl.

3. Briefly describe the origin of the resting membrane potential in a nerve cell.

4. What is the role of each of the following in skeletal muscle:

(a) myosin;
(b) sarcoplasmic reticulum;
(c) trypomyosin?

5. Explain clearly how tetanus can occur in skeletal muscle.

6. What conductance changes cause inhibitory post-synaptic potentials?

7. What is a ‘stretch reflex’?