PHYSIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY EXAM PREPARATION SUMMARY WITH STUDY FOCUS
Exam Strategy:
- For the ORE, it’s essential to study the subject thoroughly and cover all topics in detail. Physiology is a particularly important subject for the ORE. The provided notes are sufficient to cover the Physiology portion. However, if you don’t have a basic understanding, please refer to the recommended reference book section ‘24’.
- For LDS, focus on the basics and examiner’s favorite topics. Not asked in depth.
- Understand the concepts and their clinical applications.
- Review hypersensitivity reactions, immunoglobulins, and inflammatory cells thoroughly.
High-Yield Topics:
Immunology:
Hypersensitivity reactions: Type I (allergic), Type II (cytotoxic), Type III (immune complex), Type IV (delayed) – mechanisms, examples (e.g., anaphylaxis, autoimmune diseases)
Antibodies (Immunoglobulins): IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, IgD – structure, function, distribution
Complement system: Functions of C3a (anaphylatoxin), C5a (chemotaxis)
Antibody diversity: VDJ recombination, somatic hypermutation
Inflammatory cells: Neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils – functions, roles in inflammation
Cardiovascular System (CVS):
Cardiac cycle, cardiac output, blood pressure regulation
The effects of exercise on heart physiology: Increased heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output
Blood:
Coagulation cascade: Factors, pathways (intrinsic, extrinsic), clinical implications of prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), bleeding time
Blood cell types and functions: Erythrocytes, leukocytes (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils), platelets
Respiratory System:
Lung volumes: Tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, residual volume, vital capacity, total lung capacity
Anatomy of respiration: Upper and lower respiratory tracts, lung anatomy
Gas exchange: Oxygen and carbon dioxide transport, Bohr effect (shift of oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve)
Endocrinology:
Hormones: Major endocrine glands (pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas), hormones secreted, functions, regulation
Hepatitis B serology: HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HBc – interpretation of test results
Neurophysiology:
Action potential: Generation, propagation, ionic basis
Refractory periods: Absolute and relative – significance in nerve conduction
Saltatory conduction: Myelin sheath, nodes of Ranvier
A-delta and C fibers: Pain transmission, clinical implications
Muscular System:
Skeletal muscle contraction: Sliding filament theory, neuromuscular junction
Cell Physiology:
Membrane transport: Active transport (primary, secondary), passive transport (diffusion, osmosis), facilitated diffusion
Other Topics:
Physiology of swallowing
Histology of salivary glands: Acinar cells, ductal cells, functions
Components of saliva: Water, electrolytes, enzymes (amylase), mucins, IgA, bicarbonate (buffering capacity)
Exam Important Images: Review File 16, 22
For LDS, focus on the core concepts and their clinical relevance. For ORE, delve deeper into the mechanisms and details of topic.
Files to read: – 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15B, 16, 22, 9– If you have read all these, solved mock MCQS and have time, read the others.
Watch these videos as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR84OJ_EGxk&t=768s
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=endocrine+system
https://www.osmosis.org/learn/Lung_volumes_and_capacities
https://www.osmosis.org/learn/Endocrine_system_anatomy_and_physiology
https://www.osmosis.org/learn/Introduction_to_the_immune_system
