NLE Physiology MCQs: Practice Questions With Explanations

Sample NLE (NRE) theory MCQs from Physiology — nearly 140 practice questions in the bank — covering cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, neuro- and endocrine physiology, each with the correct answer explained.

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.

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.