Science · X-Factor Notes
Human Anatomy and Physiology revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Body Composition (Water) | The weight of the human body is mostly made of water, with the average adult human body containing around 65% water. | UPPCS (Mains) 2007 |
| Most Abundant Element | Oxygen is the most abundant element found in the human body (approx. 65.0%), mainly in the form of water. | UPPCS (Mains) 2014 |
| Major Element in Bones | Calcium Phosphate (Hydroxyapatite) is the salt found in maximum amount in human bones. | UPPCS (Mains) 2015 |
| Bone/Teeth Components | Calcium and Phosphorus are required for the formation of bones and teeth. | UPPCS (Mains) 2011 |
| Bone Count (Adult) | The number of bones in an adult human body is 206. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004 |
| Smallest Bone | The Stapes is the smallest and lightest bone in the human body, found in the ear (middle ear). | U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Pre) 2010, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2008 |
| Joint at Head/Neck | The joint where the neck joins the head is a Pivotal joint. | UPPCS (Pre) 2024 |
| Smallest Muscle | The Stapedius muscle in the middle ear is the smallest muscle in the human body. | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2025 |
| Strongest Muscle | The strongest muscle in the human body is the Masseter (jaw muscle). | UPPCS (Mains) 2008 |
| Arthroplasty | Arthroplasty in surgery refers to Hip-joint replacement. | UPPCS(Pre) 2001, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002 |
| Nails and Hair Composition | Human hair and nails are made up of the protein Keratin. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O (Pre) 2014, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Digestion Site | Most of the digestive process takes place in the Small intestine. | UPPCS (Pre) 1991 |
| Largest Gland | The Liver is the largest gland of the human body. | UPPCS (Pre) 1999 |
| Bile Function/Organ |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Water-Soluble Vitamins | Vitamin B and C are water-soluble vitamins. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002, UPPCS RO-ARO 2023 Prelims Re-Exam |
| Vitamin K Function | Vitamin K is responsible for blood coagulation (clotting) in humans. | UPPCS (Pre) 2020, UPPCS (Mains) 2012, UPPCS (Mains) 2008 |
| Vitamin C Function |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Respiration Energy | The total net gain of ATP in aerobic respiration is 38 ATP. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Tissue Type | Blood is a connective tissue (with a fluid matrix called plasma). | UPPCS RO-ARO 2023 Prelims Re-Exam |
| Heartbeat Rhythm | The heart pumps blood with a rhythm determined by the Sino-atrial node (SA-node), the pacemaker of the heart. | UPPCS (Mains) 2007 |
| Heart Chambers |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Excretory System | The kidneys are a part of the system for Excretion. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002 |
| Urine Pigment | The yellow color of human urine is due to the pigment called Urochrome. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2008 |
| Kidney Stones Composition |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Brain Functions | The brain is responsible for thinking, regulating the heartbeat, and balancing the body. | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2016, U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020 |
| Little Brain | Cerebellum is known as the 'little brain'. | UPPCS RO-ARO 2023 Prelims Re-Exam |
| Cranial Nerves | There are |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Ductless Gland | Endocrine glands are ductless glands, secreting hormones directly into the blood. | UPPCS (Pre) 1993 |
| Insulin | Insulin is a type of hormone produced in the Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans). | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004, UPPCS (Pre) 1993 |
| Oxytocin |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Sperm Fertility Period | Human sperms retain their fertilizing capacity for about one to two days in the female genital tract. | UPPCS (Mains) 2010 |
| Amniocentesis | Amniocentesis is a method used to determine the Foetal sex. | U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2011 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Arthritis/Gout | Caused by the deposition of Uric acid in the joints. | UPPCS (Mains) 2013, UPPCS (Mains) 2009 |
| Anaemia Cause | Deficiency of Iron causes anaemia. | U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007 |
| Myoglobin Element |
| U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017, UPPCS (Pre) 2017 |
| Urea Synthesis | Production of urea (by converting harmful ammonia) is a function of the liver. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004 |
|---|
| Glucose Storage | Extra glucose in the body gets converted into glycogen and is stored in the Liver and muscles. | UPPCS (Mains) 2004 |
|---|
| Pancreas Function | The Pancreas acts as both an endocrine gland and exocrine gland, classified as a mixed gland. | UPPCS (Pre) 2019 |
|---|
| Enzyme Composition | Enzymes are basically Proteins. They act as bio-catalysts. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Mains) 2013, UPPCS (Pre) 1996 |
|---|
| Protein Digestion (Start) | Digestion of protein begins in the Stomach with the action of the enzyme pepsin. | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020 |
|---|
| Protein Digestive Enzyme | Trypsin is an enzyme which helps in the digestion of protein. | U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2010 |
|---|
| Enzyme/Vitamin/Protein/Hormone | Pepsin is an enzyme; Carotene is a vitamin; Keratin is a protein; Testosterone/Progesterone are hormones. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2021, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998 |
|---|
| U.P. U.D.A/L.D.A. (Spl) (Mains) 2010 |
| Vitamin D Chemical Name | Cholecalciferol is the common name of Vitamin D. | UPPCS (Pre) 2015 |
|---|
| Vitamin A Storage | Vitamin A is largely stored in the Liver. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015, UPPCS (Pre) 1997 |
|---|
| Vitamin A Deficiency | Retinol (Vitamin A) is essential for normal vision, and its deficiency may lead to night blindness. | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2021 |
|---|
| Vitamin B12 Element | Cobalt is present in Vitamin B12. | U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2016, U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2014 |
|---|
| Amino Acid Storage | Amino acids are not stored in the human body and must be replenished daily. | UPPCS (Mains) 2015 |
|---|
| Highest Protein Source | Soyabean has the highest protein content among available options. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014 |
|---|
| Milk to Curd | Bacteria converts milk into curd. | U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007 |
|---|
| Protein/Element Match | Vitamin B12 contains Cobalt; Haemoglobin contains Iron; Chlorophyll contains Magnesium. | UPPCS (Pre) 2014, UPPCS (Mains) 2011 |
|---|
| U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023 |
| Heart Rest | The heart rests between two beats (between contraction and relaxation). | UPPCS (Pre) 2008, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004 |
|---|
| Oxygenated Vein | The Pulmonary vein is the only vein that carries oxygenated blood. | UPPCS (Pre) 2024 |
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| Blood Pressure (Normal) | The blood pressure of a healthy man is 120 mm and 80 mm. | UPPCS (Pre) 1993, UPPCS (Pre) 1991 |
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| Blood Pressure Measurement | Blood pressure is measured by a Sphygmomanometer. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2010 |
|---|
| Blood Pressure Unit | In blood pressure measurement (e.g., 140 mm Hg), 'Hg' refers to Mercury. | UPPCS (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015 |
|---|
| Universal Recipient | Blood group AB is the universal acceptor because of the lack of antibodies in the plasma. | UPPCS (Pre) 2016 |
|---|
| Universal Donor | The universal donor blood group is O (specifically O, Rh– is considered the safest). | UPPCS (Pre) 2006 |
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| Haemoglobin Composition | Haemoglobin is an iron-containing compound. | U.P. B.E.O. (Pre) 2019, U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2005 |
|---|
| WBC Function/Leukaemia | Leukaemia is characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of White Blood Cells. | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2016 |
|---|
| Blood Clotting Process | Thrombin is the enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin during blood clotting. | UPPCS (Pre) 2011 |
|---|
| UPPCS (Mains) 2004, U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023, UPPCS (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015 |
| Organ Detoxification | The Liver is the organ responsible for the detoxification of alcohol. | UPPCS (Mains) 2010 |
|---|
| U.P. P.C.S. (GIC) 2010 |
| Brain and Pain | The Brain does not feel pain because it lacks pain receptors. | UPPCS (Pre) 2017 |
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| Temperature Control | Hypothalamus regulates body temperature. Human body temperature remains constant/stable. | UPPCS (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015 |
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| Anosmia | Anosmia is the loss of the sense of smell. | U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2011 |
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| UPPCS (Pre) 2003 |
| Female Hormone | Estrogen is a female sex hormone. | UPPCS (Pre) 2000, U.P. Lower (Pre) 2004 |
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| Endocrine System Match | Hormone: Testosterone; Enzyme: Lipase; Polymer: Polythene. | UPPCS (Pre) 1997 |
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| U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020 |
| Blue Baby Syndrome | Due to the presence of Methemoglobin (related to high nitrate levels). | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2021 |
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| Golden Hour | In medical terminology, 'Golden Hour' is related to a Heart Attack. | UPPCS (Mains) 2014 |
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| Alzheimer’s Disease | Alzheimer’s disease affects the Brain. | UPPCS (Pre) 2014 |
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| Cataract Cause | In cataract, the natural lens becomes cloudy due to a change in Protein. | U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017 |
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| Myopia Correction | Myopia (short-sightedness) is corrected by using a Concave lens. | UPPCS (Mains) 2013 |
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| Jaundice/Pneumonia | The pair Pneumonia – Lungs is correctly matched. | UPPCS (Pre) 1996 |
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| Lithotripsy | Lithotripsy means the breaking of kidney stones through rays. | UPPCS (Pre) 2001 |
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| CPR | CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. | UPPCS (Pre) 2024 |
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