BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING – BCS – UNIT V - SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

BIOMEDICAL CONTROL SYSTEMS

UNIT V - BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

PART-A
1. Define periodic breathing.
Periodic breathing refers to the cyclic modulation of respiration that occurs over the
time-scale of several breaths. It does not commonly occur in normal during
wakefulness; however, its frequency of incidence increases dramatically during ascent
to altitude as well as during sleep onset.

2. List various hormones necessary for control of the blood sugar.

In order to get acquainted with a simple control system we shall first analyze the
problem of blood-sugar regulation in eviscerated rats. These rats lack both the
hormones necessary for the control of the blood sugar (insulin, glucagon, and
adrenaline) and the organs supplying glucose (liver, kidneys, intestines). Since various
tissues are in constant need of glucose, we must keep the rats alive by supplying
them with external glucose in the form of an infusion.

3. Define regulation factor.

The regulation factor (R) is a measure of accuracy of regulation. As seen, a
disturbance leads to some residual change in the controlled variable in spite of the
regulatory systems. However, the residual change is much less than the change which
might have been there in the absence of the control system.
Mathematically,

Hence, lower the value of R, higher is the accuracy of regulation.

4. Mention the function of endocrine.

The main function of endocrine glands is to secrete hormones directly into the blood
stream.

5. What is the purpose of pupillary light reflex?

The purpose of Pupillary Light Reflex is to regulate the total light flux reaching the
retina, although the same pupil control system is also used to alter the effective lens
aperture so as to reduce optical aberrations and increase depth of focus.

MATHANKUMAR.S, COORDINATOR/BME, V.M.K.V.E.C

 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING – BCS – UNIT V - SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

6. Draw the system configuration of blood pressure control.

7. What is thermoregulation?
Human body temperature normally is maintained at a set point of just under 37°C.
This is called thermoregulation. We have a control system that functions rather like
thermostat that maintains temperature in a room or house. Our body’s control system
requires a receptor, which measures the variable; a control center, which activates the
negative feedback changes; and effectors, which bring about the changes. There is a
temperature receptor in the hypothalamus of the brain, and it is linked to a
hypothalamic thermostat (Control center) which controls body response (effectors)
ranging from sweating to shivering.

8. Define Hormones.
Hormones are chemical substances that affect the activity of another part of the body.
In essence hormones serve as messengers, controlling and coordinating activities
throughout the body. It controls the function of entire organs.

9. State knee jerk reflex.

Knee jerk reflex is used in routine medical examinations as an assessment of the state
of the nervous system.

10. Define adaptive.

Adaptive means that the system may be able to offset any change in output not
only through the feedback but also by allowing the controller or plant characteristics
to change.

MATHANKUMAR.S, COORDINATOR/BME, V.M.K.V.E.C

 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING – BCS – UNIT V - SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

11. What is the function of lungs?

The process of the lungs are to bring oxygen into the body and to remove
carbondioxide. Oxygen is a gas that provides us energy, while carbondioxide is a
waste product or ‘exhaust’ of the body.

12. Define endocrine.

The endocrine system is a collection of glands that produce hormones, that regulate
metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction,
sleep and mood among other things.

13. What is occulomotor system?

The occulomotor system is the stabilization of the visual image on the retinae during
movement.

14. Define pupil.

The pupil is a hole located in the center of the iris of the eye that allows light to
strike the retina .It appears black because light rays entering the pupil are either
absorbed by the tissues inside the eye directly, or absorbed after diffuse reflections
within the eye that mostly miss existing the narrow pupil.

15. State stretch reflex.

The stretch reflex is a muscle contraction in response to stretching within the muscle.
It is a monosynaptic reflex which provides automatic regulation of skeletal muscle
length. When a muscle lengthens, the muscle spindle is stretched and its nerve
activity increases.

16. Draw the hypothetical endocrine system with negative feedback.

MATHANKUMAR.S, COORDINATOR/BME, V.M.K.V.E.C

 BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING – BCS – UNIT V - SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

17. Write about cardiovascular sensors.

Sensors that are activated by mechanical deformation and others that respond to
certain chemicals exist in many parts of the cardiovascular system, as well as in other
organs.

18. Define MAP.

MAP or Mean Arterial Pressure, is defined as the average pressure in a
patient's arteries during one cardiac cycle. It is considered a better indicator of
perfusion to vital organs than systolic blood pressure (SBP).

19. Define muscle spindle.

The muscle spindle is one type of proprioceptor that provides information about
changes in muscle length. Muscle spindles are small sensory organs that are
enclosed within capsules. They are found throughout the body of the muscle, in
parallel with extra fusal fibers.

20. Mention the function of Cardiovascular Control System.

The cardiovascular control system consists of the heart, blood vessels and blood.
This system has three main functions: Transport of nutrients, oxygen & hormones to
cells throughout the body and removal of metabolic wastes (Carbondioxide,
nitrogenous wastes).

MATHANKUMAR.S, COORDINATOR/BME, V.M.K.V.E.C