Human Physiology Previous Year Questions with Solutions

1.0Introduction

Human Physiology is the branch of biology that deals with the functioning of various organ systems in the human body. It explains how the body maintains homeostasis and performs essential life processes.

Solving questions from Plant Physiology from previous years helps aspirants understand the trend of questions on this topic. NEET follows a specific pattern in asking questions about Plant Physiology. The listed questions and solutions from past years' papers help identify frequently asked topics like photosynthesis, respiration, transport in plants, and plant hormones.

2.0Key Concepts to Remember

Major Organ Systems in Human Physiology

Respiratory System  - Facilitates gas exchange (Oxygen in, Carbon dioxide out). Key organs: Nose, Trachea, Lungs, Diaphragm.

Circulatory System - Transports oxygen, nutrients, and hormones throughout the body. Key organs: Heart, Blood vessels (Arteries, Veins, Capillaries), Blood.

Excretory System - Removes waste and maintains water balance. Key organs: Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder, Urethra.

Nervous System - Controls body functions through electrical signals. Key parts: Brain, Spinal Cord, Nerves.

Endocrine System - Regulates body functions via hormones. Key glands: Pituitary, Thyroid, Adrenal, Pancreas, Gonads.

Skeletal System - Provides structure, support, and protection. Key parts: Bones, Joints, Cartilage.

Muscular System - Helps in movement and posture. Types: Skeletal, Smooth, and Cardiac muscles.

3.0Past Year Questions with Solutions on Plant Physiology: NEET (UG)

Q.1. Match List I with List II:

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. A-IV, B-II, C-III, D-I
2. A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV
3. A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
4. A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II

Solution- The correct answer is: 4. A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II

Explanation

• A. Fibrous joints → III. Skull, don’t allow any movement - Fibrous joints are immovable and found in the skull (sutures).
• B. Cartilaginous joints → I. Adjacent vertebrae, limited movement - Cartilaginous joints allow limited movement and are found between vertebrae.
• C. Hinge joints → IV. Knee, help in locomotion - Hinge joints allow movement in one direction, like the knee and elbow.
• D. Ball and socket joints → II. Humerus and Pectoral girdle, rotational - Ball and socket joints allow rotational movement, like the shoulder and hip joints.

Q.2. Which of the following is not a steroid hormone?

1. Cortisol
2. Testosterone
3. Progesterone
4. Glucagon

Solution- The correct answer is: 4. Glucagon

Explanation: Cortisol, Testosterone, and Progesterone are all steroid hormones derived from cholesterol. Glucagon is a peptide hormone, not a steroid. It is secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas and helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating glycogen breakdown in the liver.

Q.3.  Match List I with List II:

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV
2. A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I
3. A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV
4. A-II, B-I, C-III, D-IV

Solution - The correct answer is: 2. A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I

Explanation:

• A. Pons → III. Connects different regions of the brain - The pons acts as a bridge connecting different parts of the brain, including the medulla and cerebellum.
• B. Hypothalamus → IV. Neurosecretory cells - The hypothalamus contains neurosecretory cells that regulate the endocrine system by controlling the pituitary gland.
• C. Medulla → II. Controls respiration and gastric secretions - The medulla oblongata controls vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and digestion.
• D. Cerebellum → I. Provides additional space for neurons, regulates posture and balance - The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating movement, posture, and balance.

Q.4. Following are the stages of pathway for conduction of an action potential through the heart:

A. AV bundle         B. Purkinje fibres       C. AV node     D. Bundle branches   E. SA node  

Choose the correct sequence of pathway from the options given below:  

1.  E - C - A - D - B 
2.  A - E - C - B - D
3.  B - D - E - C - A 
4.  E - A - D - B - C

Solution- The correct answer is: (1) E - C - A - D - B

Explanation: The correct sequence of action potential conduction through the heart is:

• SA node (E) – The sinoatrial (SA) node, also known as the pacemaker of the heart, initiates the electrical impulse.
• AV node (C) – The impulse travels to the atrioventricular (AV) node, where there is a slight delay to allow the atria to contract before the ventricles.
• AV bundle (A) – The impulse then moves to the atrioventricular bundle (Bundle of His).
• Bundle branches (D) – The impulse travels through the right and left bundle branches, located in the interventricular septum.
• Purkinje fibers (B) – Finally, the impulse reaches the Purkinje fibers, which spread the signal throughout the ventricles, causing them to contract.

Q.5. Which of the following factors are favourable for the formation of oxyhaemoglobin in alveoli?

1.  High pO₂ and High pCO₂ 
2.  High pO₂ and Lesser H⁺ concentration 
3.  Low pCO₂ and High H⁺ concentration 
4. Low pCO₂ and High temperature

Solution- The correct answer is: (2) High pO₂ and Lesser H⁺ concentration

Explanation:

• The formation of oxyhaemoglobin (HbO₂) in the alveoli is favored by the following conditions: 
• High partial pressure of oxygen (pO₂) → In the alveoli, oxygen concentration is high, which promotes oxygen binding to hemoglobin.
• Low partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO₂) → Less CO₂ leads to reduced acidity (H⁺ concentration), favoring oxygen binding.
• Lesser H⁺ concentration (higher pH) → A lower H⁺ concentration (higher pH) helps hemoglobin bind to oxygen more efficiently (Bohr effect).
• Low temperature → Oxygen binds more tightly to hemoglobin at lower temperatures.Thus, option (2) is correct because high pO₂ and lower H⁺ concentration promote oxyhaemoglobin formation in the lungs.

Q.6.  Given below are two statements :

Statement I : In the nephron , the descending limb of the loop of Henle is impermeable to water and permeable to electrolytes .

Statement II : The proximal convoluted tubule is lined by simple columnar brush border epithelium and increases the surface area for reabsorption . 

In the light of the above statements , choose the correct answer from the options  given below : 

1.  Both Statement I and Statement II are true . 

2.  Both Statement I and Statement II are false . 

3.  Statement I is true but Statement Il is false . 

4. Statement I is false but Statement II is true  .  

Solution- The correct answer is:( 2 ) Both Statement I and Statement II are false . 

Explanation

• Statement I: False - Water moves out of the descending limb due to the osmotic gradient in the medulla, leading to concentrated filtrate.

• Statement II: False -  The proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) is lined by simple cuboidal brush border epithelium, not columnar.

Q.7.  Match List I with List II:

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1.  A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III 
2.  A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-I 
3.  A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III 
4.  A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IV

Solution- The correct answer is: (1) A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III 

Explanation:

• A. Expiratory capacity → II. Tidal volume + Expiratory reserve volume
  Expiratory capacity is the total amount of air a person can exhale after a normal inspiration.
• B. Functional residual capacity → IV. Expiratory reserve volume + Residual volume
  Functional residual capacity is the air remaining in the lungs after a normal expiration.
• C. Vital capacity → I. Expiratory reserve volume + Tidal Volume + Inspiratory reserve volume
  Vital capacity is the maximum amount of air a person can exhale after a maximum inhalation.
• D. Inspiratory capacity → III. Tidal volume + Inspiratory reserve volume
  Inspiratory capacity is the total amount of air a person can inhale after a normal expiration.

Q.8.  Choose the correct statement given below regarding juxta medullary nephron .

1.  Juxta medullary nephrons are located in the columns of Bertini .  
2.  Renal corpuscle of juxta medullary nephron lies in the outer portion of the renal medulla.
3.  Loop of Henle of juxta medullary nephron runs deep into medulla .
4.  Juxta medullary nephrons outnumber the cortical nephrons .

Solution- The correct answer is: (3) Loop of Henle of juxta medullary nephron runs deep into medulla .

Explanation- The Loop of Henle of juxta medullary nephrons extends deep into the medulla, which helps in the formation of concentrated urine by creating a strong osmotic gradient.

Q.9. Given below are two statements :

Statement I : The cerebral hemispheres are connected by a nerve tract known as corpus callosum.

Statement II : The brain stem consists of the medulla oblongata , pons and cerebrum .  

In the light of the above statements , choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :  

1.  Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. 
2.  Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect. 
3.  Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
4.  Statement I is incorrect but Statement Il is correct.

Solution- The correct answer is: (3) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.

Explanation- 

• Statement I: The cerebral hemispheres (left and right) of the brain are indeed connected by a large bundle of nerve fibers called the corpus callosum. Therefore, Statement I is correct.
• Statement II: The brain stem is a crucial part of the brain that connects the cerebrum and cerebellum to the spinal cord. It consists of three main parts: the medulla oblongata, the pons, and the midbrain. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is located above the brain stem. Therefore, Statement II is incorrect because the cerebrum is not part of the brain stem.

Q.10.  Match List I with List II:

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1.  A - I , B - III , C - IV , D - II 

2.  A - III , B - II , C - IV , D - I 

3.  A - II , B - III , C - I , D - IV 

4.  A - IV , B - II , C - I , D - III

Solution- The correct answer is: (2) A - III, B - II, C - IV, D - I.

Explanation-

• A. P wave: Represents the depolarisation of the atria. Therefore, A matches with III.
• B. QRS complex: Represents the depolarisation of the ventricles. Therefore, B matches with II.
• C. T wave: Represents the repolarisation of the ventricles. Therefore, C matches with IV.
• D. T - P gap: Represents the period when the heart muscles are electrically silent (ventricles have repolarized and atria are yet to depolarize). Therefore, D matches with I.

Q.11. As per ABO blood grouping system, the blood group of father is B⁺, mother is A⁺ and child is O⁺. Their respective genotype can be 

A. IᴮIᵇ / Iᴬi / ii 

B. IᴮIᴮ / IᴬIᴬ / ii 

C. IᴬIᴮ / ii / IᴬIᴮ 

D. Iᴬi / Iᴮi / IᴬIᴮ 

E. ii / IᴬIᴮ / IᴬIᴮ

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

1. A only 

2.  B only

3.  C & B only 

4.  D & E only

Solution- The correct answer is: ( 1 ) A only 

Explanation-

• A. IᴮIᵇ / Iᴬi / ii: There is a typo in the father's genotype; it should be Iᴮi, not IᴮIᵇ. However, if we correct this to Iᴮi / Iᴬi / ii, this is a possible scenario where the father has genotype Iᴮi (Blood group B), the mother has genotype Iᴬi (Blood group A), and the child has genotype ii (Blood group O).
• B. IᴮIᴮ / IᴬIᴬ / ii: In this case, the father can only pass on Iᴮ, and the mother can only pass on Iᴬ. The child would have the genotype IᴬIᴮ (Blood group AB), not ii (Blood group O).
• C. IᴬIᴮ / ii / IᴬIᴮ: This option has the father as IᴬIᴮ (Blood group AB), the mother as ii (Blood group O), and the child as IᴬIᴮ (Blood group AB). This does not match the given blood groups.
• D. Iᴬi / Iᴮi / IᴬIᴮ: This option has the father as Iᴬi (Blood group A), the mother as Iᴮi (Blood group B), and the child as IᴬIᴮ (Blood group AB). This does not match the given blood groups.
• E. ii / IᴬIᴮ / IᴬIᴮ: This option has the father as ii (Blood group O), the mother as IᴬIᴮ (Blood group AB), and the child as IᴬIᴮ (Blood group AB). This does not match the given blood groups.

Q.12. Erythropoietin hormone which stimulates R.B.C. formation is produced by :- 

 1. Alpha cells of pancreas 

 2. The cells of rostral adenohypophysis

 3. The cells of bone marrow 

 4. Juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney

Solution- The correct answer is: (4) Juxtaglomerular cells of the kidney

Explanation:

• Erythropoietin (EPO) is the primary hormone responsible for stimulating the production of red blood cells (erythropoiesis) in the bone marrow.
• It is primarily produced by specialized cells in the kidney called juxtaglomerular cells (or peritubular interstitial cells). These cells sense the oxygen levels in the blood. When oxygen levels are low (hypoxia), they release EPO into the bloodstream.
• EPO then travels to the bone marrow and stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of erythrocyte precursors, leading to an increase in red blood cell production.

Q.13. The parts of human brain that helps in regulation of sexual behaviour, expression of excitement, pleasure, rage, fear etc. are 

1. Corpora quadrigemina & hippocampus 

2. Brain stem & epithalamus 

3. Corpus callosum and thalamus 

4. Limbic system & hypothalamus

Solution- The correct answer is: (4) Limbic system & hypothalamus

Explanation:

• Limbic System: This is a complex group of brain structures located deep within the cerebrum. It plays a crucial role in our emotional life, including the experience and expression of excitement, pleasure, rage, and fear. It's also involved in motivation and memory, and significantly influences sexual behavior. Key structures within the limbic system include the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus (which is often considered part of both the limbic system and a separate brain region).
• Hypothalamus: Located below the thalamus, the hypothalamus is a small but vital area of the brain. It regulates many bodily functions, including hormone release, body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep-wake cycles, and importantly, it plays a key role in controlling sexual behavior and the expression of emotions by influencing the endocrine system.

Q.14. Stimulation of a muscle fiber by a motor neuron occurs at : 

1. the neuromuscular junction 

2. the transverse tubules 

3. the myofibril 

4. the sarcoplasmic reticulum

Solution- The correct answer is: (1) the neuromuscular junction 

Explanation:

• Neuromuscular Junction: This is the specialized synapse (gap) where a motor neuron communicates with a muscle fiber. When a nerve impulse (action potential) reaches the axon terminal of the motor neuron, it triggers the release of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine (ACh) into the synaptic cleft.

Q.15.  Match List I with List II:

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1. A - I, B - III, C - II, D - IV 

2. A - IV, B - II, C - I, D - III 

3. A - III, B - IV, C - II, D - I 

4. A - III, B - IV, C - I, D - II

Solution- The correct answer is: (4) A - III, B - IV, C - I, D - II

Explanation-

A. Exophthalmic goiter is characterized by III. Hyper-secretion of thyroid hormone & protruding eye balls.

B. Acromegaly is caused by IV. Excessive secretion of growth hormone.

C. Cushing's syndrome results from I. Excess secretion of cortisol, moon face & hyperglycemia.

D. Cretinism is caused by II. Hypo-secretion of thyroid hormone and stunted growth.