Physiology MCQs
Physiology MCQs help medical and dental students master body functions across cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive, endocrine, and neurophysiology systems. Ideal for MDCAT, NTS, USMLE, and FCPS, these quizzes boost retention and exam success.
Q: Reaction formation is a defense mechanism where a person acts opposite to their true feelings.
A) Sublimation
B) Projection
C) Reaction formation
D) Rationalization
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This occurs when unacceptable impulses are transformed into their opposites.
Q: The retina contains rods and cones for detecting light and color.
A) Iris
B) Retina
C) Cornea
D) Optic nerve
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The retina processes visual input with light-sensitive photoreceptor cells.
Q: The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary body functions.
A) Peripheral system
B) Somatic system
C) Autonomic system
D) Central system
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: It regulates automatic processes such as heart rate and digestion.
Q: The bystander effect is the tendency for individuals to be less likely to help in a crowd.
A) Altruism
B) Bystander effect
C) Social responsibility
D) Group bias
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation: People assume others will take action, so they do nothing in group settings.
Q: Operant conditioning uses rewards and punishments to influence behavior.
A) Social learning
B) Insight learning
C) Operant conditioning
D) Vicarious learning
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Skinner’s operant conditioning focuses on consequences shaping behavior.
Q: earning by association was demonstrated by Pavlov through
A) Classical conditioning
B) Operant conditioning
C) Insight learning
D) Observational learning
✅ Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Pavlov’s experiments with dogs showed how stimuli could be paired to elicit a conditioned response.
Q: Cognitive development stages were introduced by
A) Freud
B) Watson
C) Piaget
D) Skinner
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Jean Piaget proposed stages like sensorimotor and formal operational to explain children's intellectual development.
Q: Humanistic psychology emphasizes
A) Conditioning
B) Reinforcement
C) Free will
D) Unconscious motives
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Humanistic theorists like Maslow focus on individual potential and conscious choices.
Q: Freud's theory of personality includes
A) Id, ego, superego
B) Memory, cognition, learning
C) Self, shadow, persona
D) Stimulus, response, consequence
✅ Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Freud believed the mind is structured into three interacting parts: id, ego, and superego.
Q: Short-term memory can typically hold
A) About 2 items
B) About 5 items
C) About 7 items
D) About 10 items
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation: George Miller found the average capacity of short-term memory to be 7 ± 2 items.