Exercise Physiology Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Using examples of your choice, distinguish between exercise physiology and sport
physiology. - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Exercise physiology is the study of how body
structure and function are altered by exposure to acute and chronic exercise (therefore, any
exercise). Ex: Observing HR before, during and after running 100m. Sport physiology is the
application of the concepts of exercise physiology to enhance sport performance. Ex:
Training both the aerobic and anaerobic systems to increase cardiac output and improve the
cardiorespiratory system.
What is one characteristic of the Harvard Fatigue Laboratory that you found interesting?
Why? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅That the methods used were accurate even though our
technology has since improved. Also, that we still refer to their findings (that they are still
valid).
Explain why it is important to control certain aspects of a research project. For example, why
is it important to control the temperature and humidity of the environment? - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅If you don't control certain aspects of a research project, then you can't be
sure which aspects are contributing to a change.
Describe the role of calcium in muscle contraction. - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅An AP
arrives at the SR from a T-tubule. The SR is sensitive to electrical charge; this causes a mass
release of calcium into the sarcoplasm. Calcium then binds to troponin on the thin filament.
At rest, tropomyosin covers the myosin-binding site, blocking actin-myosin attraction. The
troponin-calcium complex moves tropomyosin. Myosin binds to actin. Contraction can occur.
What are the primary characteristics that differentiate the two main types of skeletal muscle
fibers? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Type I make up ~50% of the fibers in an average
muscle. Peak tension in 110ms (slow twitch). Type II reaches peak tension in 50mn (fast
twitch). Type IIa makes up ~25% of the fibers in an average muscle. Type IIx make up ~25%
of the fibers in an average muscle.
-The speed of myosin ATPase varies; fast myosin ATPase = fast contraction cycling. Slower
myosin ATPase = slower contraction cycling.
-Muscle biopsy; small (10-100g) piece of muscle removed, frozen, sliced, examined under
microscope.
-Gel electrophoresis; type I vs. type II fibers have different types of myosin. Separates
different types of myosin by size.
,-Sarcoplasmic reticulum; type II fibers have a more highly developed SR. Faster calcium
release, 3-5X faster V.
What is the relationship between muscle fiber type and performance? How does the velocity
(speed) of skeletal muscle contraction affect its force and power development? - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Endurance athletes - Type I predominates. Sprinters - type II predominates.
But fiber type is not the sole predictor of success; cardiovascular function, motivation,
training habits, muscle size.
Concentric; maximal force development decreases at higher speeds (muscle shortens while
producing force).
Eccentric; maximal force development increases at higher speeds (lowering a heavy weight).
**Type II motor units = more force; Type II = less force. Fewer small fibers vs. more large
fibers**
Explain the differences among concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions in terms of
actin-myosin interaction, muscle shortening or lengthening, and relative force production. -
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Static (isometric) contraction = muscle produces force but does
not change length. Joint angle does not change. Myosin cross-bridges form and recycle (no
sliding).
Dynamic contraction = muscle produces force and changes length. Joint movement produced.
Concentric contraction = muscle shortens while producing force. Most familiar type of
contraction. Sarcomere shortens, filaments slide toward center.
Eccentric contraction = muscle lengthens while producing force. Cross-bridges form but
sarcomere lengthens. Ex: Lowering a heavy weight.
Starting with the epimysium and ending with the sarcomeres, diagram the primary anatomical
components of skeletal muscle. - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Epimysium -> muscle ->
perimysium -> fascicle -> endomysium -> muscle fiber -> myofibril -> sarcomere
Describe how glucose is broken down to produce the ATP energy required during exercise. -
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Glycolysis
1) ATP is used for glucose breakdown via glycolysis
2) Converted to glucose-6-phosphate
3) Starts with glucose-6-phosphate and ends with pyruvate -> acetyl-CoA
**10-12 enzymatic reactions total, in cytoplasm, yields 2 ATP**
Krebs cycle
,1) One molecule of glucose = 2 acetyl-CoA, 2 complete Krebs cycles, double ATP yield
2) 2 acetyl-CoA, gives 2 GTP which yields 2 ATP. Also produces NADH, FADH, H+ (H+ is
removed and transported to ETC)
**4 NADH = 2.5 ATP per 1 NADH (2 cycles)
**2 FADH = 1.5 ATP per 1 FADH (2 cycles)
ETC
1) H+ electrons are transported to ETC via NADH FADH
2) H+ combines with O2 to form H2O. Help from ATP.
Summary:
Glycolysis = 2 ATP
GTP from Krebs = 2 ATP
Both = 32 ATP
10 NADH = 25 ATP
2 FADH = 3 ATP
Describe how fat is broken down to produce the ATP required during exercise. - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅-Same process as carbs but produces much more ATP (slower). Starts with
beta-oxidation; converts FFA's into acetyl-CoA before entering Krebs cycle.
-Requires upfront 2 ATP to get started.
-16 C FFA yields 8 acetyl-CoA
-Fat oxidation requires more O2 but yields 3 or 4 times as more ATP as carbs.
-Acetyl-CoA enter Krebs cycle in same process as carbs occurs
Summary:
Beta-oxidation = 28 ATP
Krebs = >2 ATP
-2 ATP for activation
8 GTP from Krebs cycle
Total = 106 ATP
Why do muscles prefer to oxidize glucose rather than fat and protein during exercise? -
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Glucose oxidation is faster than fat. As exercise increases, so
, does the need for O2, so the muscle drives for more O2. They prefer glucose because it is a
quick fix for oxygen.
Explain how the electron transport chain produces ATP from the oxidation of carbohydrate,
fat, and protein. - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅There is an accumulation of H+ ions outside
the mitochondrial membrane from the NADH and FADH transport molecules. This creates a
concentration gradient. The H+ ions then travel to an ion transport channel (ATP synthase)
and combine with ADP + Pi on intermembrane on mitochondria to produce ATP.
Draw the general organization of the nervous system. Identify the primary structure and
function of each component. - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅-Neuron: Basic structural unit of
the NS. Has the same basic structure everywhere in the body. Has 3 major regions; cell body
(soma), dendrites, axon.
-Cell body (soma): contains nucleus, cell processes radiate out.
-Dendrites: ranvier cell processes. Carry impulse towards cell body.
-Axon: Sender cell processes, starts at axon hillock.
-End branches, axon terminals, neurotransmitters
-Electrical signal for communication between periphery and brain. Must be generated by
stimulus. Must be propagated down an axon. Must be transmitted to the next cell in line.
What events occur at the neuromuscular junction that cause muscle to contract? - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Site of neuron-to-neuron communication. AP must jump across synapse.
Axon -> synapse -> dendrites
-Signal changes from across synapse; electrical -> chemical -> electrical
-AP can only move in one direction
-Axon terminals contrain neurotransmitters;
oChemical messengers
oCarry electrical AP signal across synaptic cleft
oBind to receptor on post-synaptic surface
oStimulate GP's in post-synaptic neuron
NMJ
-Site of neuron-to-neuron communication
oUses ACh as its neurotransmitter
oExcitatory; passes AP along to muscle
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Using examples of your choice, distinguish between exercise physiology and sport
physiology. - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Exercise physiology is the study of how body
structure and function are altered by exposure to acute and chronic exercise (therefore, any
exercise). Ex: Observing HR before, during and after running 100m. Sport physiology is the
application of the concepts of exercise physiology to enhance sport performance. Ex:
Training both the aerobic and anaerobic systems to increase cardiac output and improve the
cardiorespiratory system.
What is one characteristic of the Harvard Fatigue Laboratory that you found interesting?
Why? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅That the methods used were accurate even though our
technology has since improved. Also, that we still refer to their findings (that they are still
valid).
Explain why it is important to control certain aspects of a research project. For example, why
is it important to control the temperature and humidity of the environment? - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅If you don't control certain aspects of a research project, then you can't be
sure which aspects are contributing to a change.
Describe the role of calcium in muscle contraction. - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅An AP
arrives at the SR from a T-tubule. The SR is sensitive to electrical charge; this causes a mass
release of calcium into the sarcoplasm. Calcium then binds to troponin on the thin filament.
At rest, tropomyosin covers the myosin-binding site, blocking actin-myosin attraction. The
troponin-calcium complex moves tropomyosin. Myosin binds to actin. Contraction can occur.
What are the primary characteristics that differentiate the two main types of skeletal muscle
fibers? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Type I make up ~50% of the fibers in an average
muscle. Peak tension in 110ms (slow twitch). Type II reaches peak tension in 50mn (fast
twitch). Type IIa makes up ~25% of the fibers in an average muscle. Type IIx make up ~25%
of the fibers in an average muscle.
-The speed of myosin ATPase varies; fast myosin ATPase = fast contraction cycling. Slower
myosin ATPase = slower contraction cycling.
-Muscle biopsy; small (10-100g) piece of muscle removed, frozen, sliced, examined under
microscope.
-Gel electrophoresis; type I vs. type II fibers have different types of myosin. Separates
different types of myosin by size.
,-Sarcoplasmic reticulum; type II fibers have a more highly developed SR. Faster calcium
release, 3-5X faster V.
What is the relationship between muscle fiber type and performance? How does the velocity
(speed) of skeletal muscle contraction affect its force and power development? - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Endurance athletes - Type I predominates. Sprinters - type II predominates.
But fiber type is not the sole predictor of success; cardiovascular function, motivation,
training habits, muscle size.
Concentric; maximal force development decreases at higher speeds (muscle shortens while
producing force).
Eccentric; maximal force development increases at higher speeds (lowering a heavy weight).
**Type II motor units = more force; Type II = less force. Fewer small fibers vs. more large
fibers**
Explain the differences among concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions in terms of
actin-myosin interaction, muscle shortening or lengthening, and relative force production. -
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Static (isometric) contraction = muscle produces force but does
not change length. Joint angle does not change. Myosin cross-bridges form and recycle (no
sliding).
Dynamic contraction = muscle produces force and changes length. Joint movement produced.
Concentric contraction = muscle shortens while producing force. Most familiar type of
contraction. Sarcomere shortens, filaments slide toward center.
Eccentric contraction = muscle lengthens while producing force. Cross-bridges form but
sarcomere lengthens. Ex: Lowering a heavy weight.
Starting with the epimysium and ending with the sarcomeres, diagram the primary anatomical
components of skeletal muscle. - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Epimysium -> muscle ->
perimysium -> fascicle -> endomysium -> muscle fiber -> myofibril -> sarcomere
Describe how glucose is broken down to produce the ATP energy required during exercise. -
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Glycolysis
1) ATP is used for glucose breakdown via glycolysis
2) Converted to glucose-6-phosphate
3) Starts with glucose-6-phosphate and ends with pyruvate -> acetyl-CoA
**10-12 enzymatic reactions total, in cytoplasm, yields 2 ATP**
Krebs cycle
,1) One molecule of glucose = 2 acetyl-CoA, 2 complete Krebs cycles, double ATP yield
2) 2 acetyl-CoA, gives 2 GTP which yields 2 ATP. Also produces NADH, FADH, H+ (H+ is
removed and transported to ETC)
**4 NADH = 2.5 ATP per 1 NADH (2 cycles)
**2 FADH = 1.5 ATP per 1 FADH (2 cycles)
ETC
1) H+ electrons are transported to ETC via NADH FADH
2) H+ combines with O2 to form H2O. Help from ATP.
Summary:
Glycolysis = 2 ATP
GTP from Krebs = 2 ATP
Both = 32 ATP
10 NADH = 25 ATP
2 FADH = 3 ATP
Describe how fat is broken down to produce the ATP required during exercise. - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅-Same process as carbs but produces much more ATP (slower). Starts with
beta-oxidation; converts FFA's into acetyl-CoA before entering Krebs cycle.
-Requires upfront 2 ATP to get started.
-16 C FFA yields 8 acetyl-CoA
-Fat oxidation requires more O2 but yields 3 or 4 times as more ATP as carbs.
-Acetyl-CoA enter Krebs cycle in same process as carbs occurs
Summary:
Beta-oxidation = 28 ATP
Krebs = >2 ATP
-2 ATP for activation
8 GTP from Krebs cycle
Total = 106 ATP
Why do muscles prefer to oxidize glucose rather than fat and protein during exercise? -
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Glucose oxidation is faster than fat. As exercise increases, so
, does the need for O2, so the muscle drives for more O2. They prefer glucose because it is a
quick fix for oxygen.
Explain how the electron transport chain produces ATP from the oxidation of carbohydrate,
fat, and protein. - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅There is an accumulation of H+ ions outside
the mitochondrial membrane from the NADH and FADH transport molecules. This creates a
concentration gradient. The H+ ions then travel to an ion transport channel (ATP synthase)
and combine with ADP + Pi on intermembrane on mitochondria to produce ATP.
Draw the general organization of the nervous system. Identify the primary structure and
function of each component. - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅-Neuron: Basic structural unit of
the NS. Has the same basic structure everywhere in the body. Has 3 major regions; cell body
(soma), dendrites, axon.
-Cell body (soma): contains nucleus, cell processes radiate out.
-Dendrites: ranvier cell processes. Carry impulse towards cell body.
-Axon: Sender cell processes, starts at axon hillock.
-End branches, axon terminals, neurotransmitters
-Electrical signal for communication between periphery and brain. Must be generated by
stimulus. Must be propagated down an axon. Must be transmitted to the next cell in line.
What events occur at the neuromuscular junction that cause muscle to contract? - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Site of neuron-to-neuron communication. AP must jump across synapse.
Axon -> synapse -> dendrites
-Signal changes from across synapse; electrical -> chemical -> electrical
-AP can only move in one direction
-Axon terminals contrain neurotransmitters;
oChemical messengers
oCarry electrical AP signal across synaptic cleft
oBind to receptor on post-synaptic surface
oStimulate GP's in post-synaptic neuron
NMJ
-Site of neuron-to-neuron communication
oUses ACh as its neurotransmitter
oExcitatory; passes AP along to muscle
