0901/194.

350
MAN/ALB
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MASSEY UNIVERSITY
MANAWATU & ALBANY CAMPUSES
EXAMINATION FOR
194.350 HUMAN LIFECYCLE PHYSIOLOGY
Semester One - 2009
Time allowed: THREE (3) hours

All students are required to answer SIX (6) questions

Allow 30 minutes for each question

Each question is worth 20 marks

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Question 1:
a. Using a diagram, describe the shape of the human growth curve.
[5 marks]
b. The shape of the human growth curve is markedly different from that of other
species. Discuss these differences and the hypothesised evolutionary
advantages .
[10 marks]
c. Identify a condition associated with abnormal growth and discuss the
underlying physiological causes.
[5 marks]
[Total: 20 Marks]

Question 2:
a. Describe, using a labelled diagram, the cardiovascular system in the fetus.
[10 marks]
b. Discuss the changes in the cardiovascular system at birth.
[8 marks]

c. Identify factors which influence the timing of the first breath.

[2 marks]
[Total: 20 Marks]

Question 3:
Discuss the cellular mechanisms which are thought to underlie the ageing process in
humans and describe how studies in animal models and human progeroid
syndromes have contributed to our knowledge.
[20 marks]

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Question 4:
a. Discuss the regulation of hormonal changes in females in puberty.
[8 marks]
b. Identify 4 (four) physiological consequences of these endocrine changes.
[2 marks]
c. Discuss the regulation of hormonal changes in females during the
perimenopausal period.
[8 marks]
d. Identify 4 (four) physiological consequences of these endocrine changes.
[2 marks]
[Total: 20 Marks]

Question 5:
Discuss the normal physiological changes that occur with healthy ageing in::
a. the cardiovascular system.

[10 marks]

b. the gastrointestinal system.

[10 marks]
[Total: 20 Marks]

Question 6:
Describe how endocrine and uterine changes in the late stages of human pregnancy
lead to the process of parturition.
[20 Marks]
Question 7:
Some common cellular mechanisms appear to contribute to the pathology of a range
of neurodegenerative disorders. Discuss.
[20 Marks]
Question 8:
Describe the mechanisms which are involved in the homeostasis of cell numbers and
discuss how dysfunction of these mechanisms might be related to disease.

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[20 Marks]
Question 9:
a. Describe the changes in body composition which occur in the latter half of the
lifecycle in humans.
[5 marks]
b. Why are these changes not reflected in simple measures such as body mass
index (BMI) and how might they be more adequately assessed.
[10 marks]
c. Why is the localisation of body fat an important factor in obesity-related
disease.
[5 marks]
[Total: 20 Marks]

+++++++

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