NLE Physiology MCQs: Practice Questions With Explanations

Physiology is one of the largest single subjects in HighYield's NLE (NRE) question bank, with nearly 140 practice questions — see our NRE syllabus breakdown for how Applied Physiology fits into the wider basic-sciences component of the 200-MCQ theory paper. Below is a sample set spanning cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, neuro- and endocrine physiology.

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Cardiovascular Physiology

1. The plateau phase (phase 2) of the ventricular myocyte action potential is primarily maintained by:

• A) Rapid Na+ influx
• B) Ca2+ influx balanced by K+ efflux ✅
• C) K+ influx alone
• D) Cl− efflux

2. The baroreceptor reflex, responsible for buffering beat-to-beat changes in blood pressure, is mediated by receptors located in the:

• A) Carotid sinus and aortic arch ✅
• B) Renal juxtaglomerular apparatus
• C) Atrial walls only
• D) Hypothalamus

Respiratory Physiology

3. A rightward shift of the oxygen–haemoglobin dissociation curve (as with increased temperature, PCO2, or 2,3-DPG) results in:

• A) Increased O2 affinity
• B) Decreased O2 affinity, favouring O2 unloading to tissues ✅
• C) No change in affinity
• D) Increased CO2 affinity only

Renal Physiology

4. Which segment of the nephron is impermeable to water regardless of ADH, and is the primary site of tubular fluid dilution?

• A) Proximal convoluted tubule
• B) Thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle ✅
• C) Cortical collecting duct
• D) Descending limb of the loop of Henle

Neurophysiology

5. Stimulation of muscle spindle Ia afferents by muscle stretch produces which reflex response?

• A) Monosynaptic reflex contraction of the same (homonymous) muscle ✅
• B) Inhibition of the same muscle via a polysynaptic pathway
• C) Contraction of the antagonist muscle only
• D) No motor response, sensory only

Endocrine Physiology

6. Which hormone's secretion is primarily controlled by negative feedback from circulating free T3/T4 at the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus?

• A) TSH ✅
• B) ACTH
• C) Prolactin
• D) Growth hormone

Why Physiology Deserves Dedicated Practice

Physiology questions on the NLE theory paper rarely reward pure recall — they test whether you can reason from a mechanism to its clinical consequence, which is exactly the applied style shown above. Alongside Anatomy and Pathology, it's one of the three largest basic-science subjects on the exam.

HighYield's NLE question bank covers Physiology alongside every discipline on the theory paper, including a dedicated Physiology subject bank, with every question explained. Start with your first questions free, no sign-in required.