Comprehensive Study Guide & University Important Questions
Fully exhaustive syllabus coverage. Features detailed Physiological Flowcharts, Anatomical Summaries, and Step-by-step Body Mechanisms optimized for high-scoring university essays.
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π£ Click any purple term for a plain-English explanation of anatomical/physiological terms.
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β‘ Each question ends with a compact At-a-Glance Summary β ideal for last-minute revision.
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Cardiovascular System - Anatomy of the heart, Cardiac Cycle, ECG conduction, and Blood Pressure regulation (RAAS).
Nervous System - Anatomy of the Cerebrum, Reflex Arc, and Autonomic Nervous System (Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic).
Urinary & Endocrine - Nephron structure, Physiology of urine formation. Pituitary and Thyroid gland hormones.
Muscular System - Physiology of muscle contraction (Sliding Filament Theory).
Blood & Resp - Blood coagulation mechanism (Clotting cascade), Mechanism of Respiration, Transport of O2 and CO2, Blood Groups.
Digestive & Repro - Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates/proteins/fats. Menstrual Cycle, Contraceptives.
Miscellaneous - Cell structure, Elementary tissues (Epithelial/Connective), Sense organs (Eye/Ear), Joints classification, and Sports physiology.
THE COAGULATION CASCADE
coagulation-cascade.pngPHASES OF THE CARDIAC CYCLE (Duration: 0.8 seconds)
heart-anatomy-chambers.pngcardiac-cycle-wiggers.png β Wiggers diagram showing LV pressure, aortic pressure, atrial pressure, ECG (P-QRS-T), heart sounds S1/S2 β all plotted over one 0.8-s cycle.LONG-TERM REGULATION: RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE SYSTEM (RAAS)
PHYSIOLOGY OF MUSCLE CONTRACTION (SLIDING FILAMENT THEORY)
sarcomere-sliding-filament.png| Organ / System | Sympathetic NS (Fight or Flight) | Parasympathetic NS (Rest and Digest) |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate | Increases (Tachycardia) | Decreases (Bradycardia) |
| Pupil of the Eye | Dilates (Mydriasis - for better far vision) | Constricts (Miosis) |
| Bronchi (Lungs) | Dilates (To allow more oxygen in) | Constricts |
| Gastrointestinal Tract | Inhibits peristalsis & digestion | Stimulates peristalsis, digestion & secretion |
| Main Neurotransmitter | Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine) | Acetylcholine |
COMPONENTS OF A REFLEX ARC
eye-anatomy-labelled.pngreflex-arc.png β 5-step labelled diagram: receptor β sensory neuron β spinal cord (integrating centre) β motor neuron β effector (e.g., withdrawing hand from hot stove).| Nutrient | Digestion Process & Enzymes | Absorption Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Begins in mouth (Salivary Amylase). Main digestion in small intestine by Pancreatic Amylase (breaks starches into disaccharides) and brush border enzymes (Maltase, Sucrase, Lactase) which convert them into Monosaccharides (Glucose, Galactose, Fructose). | Glucose and Galactose are absorbed into the blood capillaries via Secondary Active Transport (co-transport with Sodium). |
| Proteins | Begins in stomach (Pepsin activated by HCl). Continues in small intestine by pancreatic proteases (Trypsin, Chymotrypsin) and peptidases, breaking them down into Amino Acids. | Amino acids are absorbed into blood capillaries via Active Transport. |
| Fats (Lipids) | Fats are first emulsified (broken into tiny droplets) by Bile Salts from the liver. Then, Pancreatic Lipase digests the triglycerides into Fatty Acids and Monoglycerides. | They form micelles, enter the intestinal cells, repackage into Chylomicrons, and are absorbed into the Lacteals (Lymphatic vessels), not blood. |
PHYSIOLOGY OF URINE FORMATION
nephron-anatomy.pngnephron-transport.png β Diagram showing countercurrent multiplier in Loop of Henle with osmolality gradient (300 mOsm cortex β 1200 mOsm medulla).endocrine-glands-map.pngpituitary-hormones.png β Anterior pituitary (6 hormones: GH, TSH, ACTH, PRL, FSH, LH) vs Posterior pituitary (ADH + Oxytocin) with target organs shown.menstrual-cycle-chart.png| Joint Classification | Movement Capability | Examples in Human Body |
|---|---|---|
| Fibrous Joints (Synarthroses) | Immovable (No movement) | Sutures of the skull, Teeth in their sockets. |
| Cartilaginous Joints (Amphiarthroses) | Slightly movable | Pubic symphysis, Intervertebral discs (spine). |
| Synovial Joints (Diarthroses) | Freely movable (Contains synovial fluid) | Ball & Socket (Shoulder/Hip), Hinge (Knee/Elbow), Pivot (Neck/Atlas-Axis). |
CLASSIFICATION OF BONES (BY SHAPE)
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Long bones | Length > width; epiphysis + diaphysis. | Femur, Humerus, Tibia, Phalanges. |
| Short bones | Cuboidal; length β width. | Carpals (wrist), Tarsals (ankle). |
| Flat bones | Thin, plate-like; protection + haemopoiesis. | Skull, Sternum, Ribs, Scapula. |
| Irregular bones | Complex shape; don't fit other categories. | Vertebrae, Facial bones. |
| Sesamoid bones | Embedded in tendons. | Patella (kneecap). |
AXIAL (80 bones) vs APPENDICULAR (126 bones)
| Axial Skeleton | Appendicular Skeleton |
|---|---|
| Skull (22 incl. mandible) | Shoulder girdle β Clavicle + Scapula (4) |
| Hyoid bone (1) | Upper limbs (60) β Humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges |
| Vertebral column β 33 (7C+12T+5L+5S+4Co) | Pelvic girdle β Ilium + Ischium + Pubis (2) |
| Sternum (1) + Ribs (24) | Lower limbs (60) β Femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges |
| Auditory ossicles (6) | β |
human-skeleton-front.pngbone-structure-long.png β Long bone cross-section showing epiphysis, diaphysis, medullary cavity, compact bone, spongy bone, periosteum, marrow.HAEMOPOIESIS β BLOOD CELL DEVELOPMENT
haemopoiesis-tree.pnglymphatic-system-map.png β Human body silhouette with lymph nodes (cervical, axillary, inguinal), thoracic duct, spleen, thymus, tonsils, Peyer's patches labelled.ear-anatomy.png, skin-layers.png, tongue-taste-map.png