GMS 6530 PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS 2026
▶ what happens to the cell when you add pure NaCl (eat a very salty
meal). Answer: ICFV shrinks
ECFV expands
osmolality increases everywhere
water leaves cell
▶ what is a hypertonic contraction. Answer: happens during heavy
sweating
dehydration
loss of excess water without loss of NaCl
both ECF and ICF volumes decrease
increase in osmolality due to excess loss of H2O
▶ what is an isotonic contraction. Answer: equivalent loss of salt and H2O
diarrhea, vomiting
cardiovascular collapse
decrease in ECF only
▶ what is a hypotonic contraction. Answer: loss of salt without loss of
water
adrenal insufficiency
decrease in ECF
increase in ICF
cell swells
▶ what is responsible for maintaining constant volume and composition of
body fluids in the long term. Answer: kidneys
▶ where are the receptors for water soluble and lipid insoluble hormones
located. Answer: cell surface/plasma membrane
, ▶ why can a small amount of hormone elicit a large response in the cell.
Answer: amplification
successive generation of large numbers of intracellular signaling molecules
▶ cell surface (plasma membrane) receptors are for what?. Answer: small
proteins
peptides
amino acids
small molecules like amines and calcium
▶ what are the subtypes of cell surface receptors. Answer: G protein
coupled receptors (GPCR or 7TM receptors)
ionotropic (ion-channel linked) receptors
catalytic (enzyme-linked) receptors
▶ what uses intracellular (cytosolic, nuclear) receptors. Answer: steroid
hormones
thyroid hormones
vitamin D metabolites
▶ what are general characteristics of the GPCR receptors (7TM). Answer:
have 7 trans-membrane segments
domain at the 5,6 cytoplasmic loop to bind G proteins
C-terminal region binds intracellular proteins
over 1,000 members in the GPCR family
▶ which side of the GPCR is in the extracellular fluid. Answer: N-terminus
▶ which side of the GPCR is in the intracellular fluid. Answer: C-terminus
▶ what are the different types of GPCR receptors. Answer: adrenergic
receptors
muscarinic receptors
peptide/glycoprotein receptors
calcium receptors
▶ what uses adrenergic receptors. Answer: epinephrine
norepinephrine
▶ what uses muscarinic receptors. Answer: acetylcholine
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS 2026
▶ what happens to the cell when you add pure NaCl (eat a very salty
meal). Answer: ICFV shrinks
ECFV expands
osmolality increases everywhere
water leaves cell
▶ what is a hypertonic contraction. Answer: happens during heavy
sweating
dehydration
loss of excess water without loss of NaCl
both ECF and ICF volumes decrease
increase in osmolality due to excess loss of H2O
▶ what is an isotonic contraction. Answer: equivalent loss of salt and H2O
diarrhea, vomiting
cardiovascular collapse
decrease in ECF only
▶ what is a hypotonic contraction. Answer: loss of salt without loss of
water
adrenal insufficiency
decrease in ECF
increase in ICF
cell swells
▶ what is responsible for maintaining constant volume and composition of
body fluids in the long term. Answer: kidneys
▶ where are the receptors for water soluble and lipid insoluble hormones
located. Answer: cell surface/plasma membrane
, ▶ why can a small amount of hormone elicit a large response in the cell.
Answer: amplification
successive generation of large numbers of intracellular signaling molecules
▶ cell surface (plasma membrane) receptors are for what?. Answer: small
proteins
peptides
amino acids
small molecules like amines and calcium
▶ what are the subtypes of cell surface receptors. Answer: G protein
coupled receptors (GPCR or 7TM receptors)
ionotropic (ion-channel linked) receptors
catalytic (enzyme-linked) receptors
▶ what uses intracellular (cytosolic, nuclear) receptors. Answer: steroid
hormones
thyroid hormones
vitamin D metabolites
▶ what are general characteristics of the GPCR receptors (7TM). Answer:
have 7 trans-membrane segments
domain at the 5,6 cytoplasmic loop to bind G proteins
C-terminal region binds intracellular proteins
over 1,000 members in the GPCR family
▶ which side of the GPCR is in the extracellular fluid. Answer: N-terminus
▶ which side of the GPCR is in the intracellular fluid. Answer: C-terminus
▶ what are the different types of GPCR receptors. Answer: adrenergic
receptors
muscarinic receptors
peptide/glycoprotein receptors
calcium receptors
▶ what uses adrenergic receptors. Answer: epinephrine
norepinephrine
▶ what uses muscarinic receptors. Answer: acetylcholine
