Free Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Bioelectric potential's natural source is .

mechanical
electronic
electric
ionic (Correct answer)

Correct answer: ionic

Bioelectric potentials, such as those responsible for nerve impulses and muscle contractions, are naturally generated in biological systems by the movement and differential distribution of ions across cell membranes. The selective permeability of these membranes to various ions (like sodium, potassium, and chloride) creates an electrochemical gradient, leading to an electrical potential difference that drives these biological signals.

Question 2: Muscle palsies indicate

involuntary muscles
voluntary muscles
active muscles
paralyzed muscles (Correct answer)

Correct answer: paralyzed muscles

Muscle palsies refer to a condition characterized by paralysis or significant weakness of muscles, often resulting in a loss of voluntary movement or impaired motor function. This term specifically indicates that the affected muscles are unable to function normally, distinguishing them from active, voluntary, or involuntary muscles that retain their typical capabilities. It signifies a state of impaired or lost muscle control.

Question 3: The primary ion that is not connected to the process of creating cell potentials is .

hydrogen (Correct answer)
chlorine
sodium
potassium

Correct answer: hydrogen

The primary ions responsible for establishing and changing cell potentials, such as resting and action potentials, are sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), and chloride (Cl-) ions. Their differential distribution across the cell membrane and selective movement through ion channels create the electrochemical gradients. While hydrogen ions (H+) are crucial for pH balance, they do not directly participate in the rapid electrical signaling mechanisms of nerve and muscle cells in the same way as Na+, K+, and Cl-.

Question 4: What is the name for the generally constant membrane potential of dormant cells?

cell potential
half-cell potential
action potential
resting membrane potential (Correct answer)

Correct answer: resting membrane potential

The generally constant membrane potential of dormant or unstimulated cells is known as the resting membrane potential. This potential is established and maintained by the differential distribution of ions, primarily sodium, potassium, and chloride, across the cell membrane, along with the selective permeability of the membrane to these ions and the action of ion pumps. It represents the baseline electrical state of an excitable cell.

Question 5: The change in electrical potential caused by a pulse traveling along a muscle cell or nerve cell's membrane is known as .

half cell potential
muscle potential
action potential (Correct answer)
resting potential

Correct answer: action potential

An action potential is a rapid, transient, and propagating change in the electrical potential across the membrane of an excitable cell, such as a nerve or muscle cell. This electrical pulse is generated when the membrane potential reaches a threshold, leading to a rapid depolarization followed by repolarization, and serves as the fundamental mechanism for transmitting information over long distances in the nervous system and initiating muscle contraction.

Question 6: What is measured with the electrooculography (EOG/E.O.G.) technique?

cornea-retinal standing potential (Correct answer)
respiration rate
heart rate
abnormal function of the retina

Correct answer: cornea-retinal standing potential

Electrooculography (EOG) is a technique used to measure the cornea-retinal standing potential, which is the stable electrical potential difference that exists between the front (cornea) and back (retina) of the human eye. This potential changes with eye movements, allowing EOG to detect and record eye position and movement, rather than directly measuring heart rate, respiration, or abnormal retinal function.

Question 7: EKG is short for

Electrtokinetcography
Electromyography
Electroencephalography
Electrocardiography (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Electrocardiography

EKG is a widely recognized abbreviation for Electrocardiography. This medical technique involves recording the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time using electrodes placed on the skin. The resulting graph, an electrocardiogram, provides valuable information about the heart's rhythm and electrical conduction system, aiding in the diagnosis of various cardiac conditions.

Question 8: Electrodes carry information from the tissue's _________ to the electronic conduction that is required for measurement.

ionic conduction (Correct answer)
electric conduction
impulsive conduction
electronic conduction

Correct answer: ionic conduction

Electrodes function as transducers, converting the ionic conduction present in biological tissues into electronic conduction that can be measured by external electronic devices. In biological systems, electrical signals are primarily carried by the movement of ions across cell membranes and through extracellular fluids. Electrodes facilitate the transfer of this ionic current into an electron flow within the measurement circuit, enabling the recording of bioelectric potentials.

Question 9: The electric potential difference coming from the live tissues or cells is indicated by deep-seated electrodes.

outside
around
adjacent
inside (Correct answer)

Correct answer: inside

Deep-seated electrodes are designed to measure electrical activity from structures located deep within the body. Therefore, they detect potential differences originating from *inside* the live tissues or cells, rather than on their surface or periphery. This allows for the study of internal organ function, such as brain activity using intracranial electrodes.

Question 10: Impedance pneumography is a method frequently employed to keep track of a person's .

skin impedance
pulse rate
heart rate
respiration rate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: respiration rate

Impedance pneumography is a non-invasive technique that measures changes in electrical impedance across the chest. As a person breathes, the volume of air in the lungs changes, altering the electrical conductivity of the chest cavity. These impedance changes are directly correlated with the expansion and contraction of the lungs, making it an effective method for monitoring respiration rate.

Question 11: Paste for electrodes

absorbs contact impedance
reduces contact impedance (Correct answer)
equates contact impedance
increases contact impedance

Correct answer: reduces contact impedance

Electrode paste, or gel, is applied between the electrode and the skin to improve electrical contact. The skin's outer layer (stratum corneum) has high electrical impedance, which can interfere with signal acquisition. The paste, being an electrolyte, lowers this contact impedance, allowing for better conduction of bioelectrical signals and reducing noise.

Question 12: The Ag-AgCl electrode's response to an increase in chloride deposit is .

has no effect on impedance
reduces impedance
increases the impedance (Correct answer)
cannot be determined

Correct answer: increases the impedance

Silver-silver chloride (Ag-AgCl) electrodes operate based on a reversible electrochemical reaction involving chloride ions. An increase in chloride deposit on the electrode surface can alter the electrode's electrochemical properties and the interface with the electrolyte. This change typically leads to a higher impedance, affecting the stability and accuracy of the electrical signal measurement.

Question 13: Another name for the tricuspid valve is .

Cardiac valve
Pulmonary valve
Left Atrio-ventricular valve
Right Atrio-ventricular valve (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Right Atrio-ventricular valve

The tricuspid valve is located in the heart between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Its primary function is to prevent the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the right atrium during ventricular contraction. Therefore, it is also known as the right atrioventricular valve, distinguishing it from the mitral (left atrioventricular) valve.

Question 14: Pregelled disposable electrodes' primary design element that contributes to lowering the likelihood of artifacts, drift, and baseline wandering is .

high absorbency buffer layer with isotonic electrolyte (Correct answer)
low absorbency buffer layer with isotonic electrolyte
low absorbency buffer layer without isotonic electrolyte
high absorbency buffer layer without isotonic electrolyte

Correct answer: high absorbency buffer layer with isotonic electrolyte

Pregelled disposable electrodes are designed to minimize signal artifacts. A high absorbency buffer layer ensures good skin contact and stability, while an isotonic electrolyte maintains a stable electrochemical interface with the skin. This combination reduces variations in skin-electrode impedance, thereby decreasing baseline wandering, drift, and other motion artifacts that can obscure the true bioelectrical signal.

Question 15: Buffer amplifier transforms

high impedance signals to low impedance signals (Correct answer)
low impedance signals to high impedance signals
dc impedance signals to ac impedance signals
ac impedance signals to dc impedance signals

Correct answer: high impedance signals to low impedance signals

A buffer amplifier, also known as a voltage follower, has a very high input impedance and a low output impedance. Its primary role is to isolate a source from a load, preventing the load from drawing excessive current from the source. This transformation is crucial for measuring high-impedance biological signals without loading the source and distorting the signal.

Question 16: Which of the following is an ECG acquisition system that is wireless?

smart pad (Correct answer)
pasteless electrodes
limb electrodes
pregelled disposable electrodes

Correct answer: smart pad

A smart pad, in the context of ECG acquisition, refers to a modern device or system that integrates electrodes and wireless transmission capabilities. Unlike traditional limb electrodes or pregelled electrodes which require wired connections to a separate acquisition unit, a smart pad can wirelessly transmit ECG data to a monitoring device. This offers greater patient mobility and convenience for continuous monitoring.

Free Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering Questions and Answers

Bioelectric potential's natural source is .