Want to test your physiology knowledge before the CMA exam? Below are free sample flashcards from the 120-card physiology section of our 1050-card CMA (Certified Medical Assistant) deck, which covers PNS, Peripheral Nervous System and more.
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A patient presents with mitochondrial disease causing severe muscle weakness and fatigue. Which cellular process is most directly impaired in this condition?
Show answer →Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for producing ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) via cellular respiration. Impairment leads to decreased energy available for metabolic processes, most notably in high-demand tissues like skeletal muscle and the heart. **AAMA Exam Strategy:** Focus on the relationship between mitochondria and energy production. Common distractors include the Golgi apparatus (packaging) or Lysosomes (digestion). Remember: No ATP = No cellular work.
Which bone type is primarily characterized by a thin, flattened shape and provides extensive protection or broad surfaces for muscle attachment?
Show answer →Flat Bones. Examples include the sternum, ribs, scapulae, and most cranial bones. They consist of two thin layers of compact bone enclosing a layer of spongy bone (diploë). Exam Tip: Do not confuse flat bones with sesamoid bones (like the patella) or irregular bones (like vertebrae). The AAMA expects MAs to be able to categorize bones by both shape and their physiological protective functions.
A patient presents with a loss of voluntary muscle control but maintains normal heart rate and digestion. This suggests a deficit in which functional division of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
Show answer →The Somatic Nervous System. Rationale: The PNS is divided into the Somatic (voluntary control of skeletal muscles) and the Autonomic (involuntary control of smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands). Since the patient lost voluntary control but kept involuntary functions, the somatic division is the site of the pathology.
During the digestive process, the pancreas releases a substance into the duodenum to neutralize highly acidic chyme coming from the stomach. What is this alkaline substance?
Show answer →Sodium Bicarbonate. It raises the pH of chyme from approximately 2.0 to 7.0–8.0, creating an optimal environment for pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase, trypsin) to function. AAMA Focus: The pancreas has both endocrine (insulin/glucagon) and exocrine (digestive enzymes/bicarbonate) functions.
An adult patient presents with enlarging hands, feet, and coarsening facial features. Which hormone is being overproduced, and what is the most common physiological cause in adults?
Show answer →**Growth Hormone (GH)**, also called Somatotropin. In adults, this condition is **Acromegaly**, usually caused by a benign pituitary adenoma. GH stimulates the liver to produce Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), which promotes tissue growth. **Clinical Pearl:** If overproduction occurs *before* epiphyseal plate closure in childhood, it results in Gigantism. AAMA Exam Tip: GH is secreted by the anterior pituitary; understand the difference between Gigantism (kids) and Acromegaly (adults).
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Try 30 free CMA cards firstThe full CMA deck contains 1050 flashcards, and 120 of them focus on physiology. This page shows 5 free samples.
Our CMA deck dedicates 120 of 1050 cards (11%) to physiology — always cross-check the official AAMA exam outline for the current blueprint weighting.
Yes — the samples on this page are free, and the CMA preview page has 30 more free cards. Full access to all 1050 cards is a one-time $7.
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