Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th
Ed.) – Final Exam Study Guide 2026/2027
Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation
1. Which of the following is the correct sequence, from simplest to most complex, in the
levels of structural organization of the human body?
a) Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organismal
b) Cellular, chemical, tissue, organ, organ system, organismal
c) Tissue, cellular, chemical, organ, organismal, organ system
d) Chemical, cellular, organ, tissue, organ system, organismal
Answer: a) Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organismal ✓
2. The system that takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide is the:
a) Urinary system
b) Respiratory system
c) Cardiovascular system
d) Digestive system
Answer: b) Respiratory system ✓
3. The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions is called:
a) Homeostasis ✓
b) Metabolism
c) Negative feedback
d) Anatomical position
4. In anatomical position, the palms are facing:
a) Backward
b) Forward ✓
c) Medially
d) Downward
5. A section that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts is called a:
a) Sagittal section
b) Transverse (horizontal) section
c) Frontal (coronal) section ✓
d) Midsagittal section
,Chapter 2: Basic Chemistry
6. The most abundant element in the human body is:
a) Carbon
b) Hydrogen
c) Oxygen ✓
d) Nitrogen
7. The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of:
a) Protons ✓
b) Neutrons
c) Protons and neutrons
d) Electrons
8. A bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms is a(n):
a) Ionic bond
b) Hydrogen bond
c) Covalent bond ✓
d) Polar bond
9. On the pH scale, a value of 7 indicates:
a) A strong acid
b) A strong base
c) Neutrality ✓
d) A weak base
10. The type of reaction that builds larger molecules from smaller ones is:
a) Synthesis (anabolic) ✓
b) Decomposition (catabolic)
c) Exchange
d) Hydrolysis
Chapter 3: Cells and Tissues
11. The "control center" of the cell, containing DNA, is the:
a) Nucleus ✓
b) Mitochondrion
,c) Ribosome
d) Golgi apparatus
12. The site of ATP synthesis (cellular respiration) is the:
a) Rough ER
b) Lysosome
c) Mitochondrion ✓
d) Nucleolus
13. Passive transport that requires a protein carrier but not energy is:
a) Osmosis
b) Simple diffusion
c) Endocytosis
d) Facilitated diffusion ✓
14. The tissue that covers and lines body surfaces is:
a) Connective tissue
b) Muscle tissue
c) Epithelial tissue ✓
d) Nervous tissue
15. Which type of tissue is characterized by having an extensive extracellular matrix?
a) Epithelial
b) Connective ✓
c) Muscle
d) Nervous
Chapter 4: Skin and Body Membranes
16. The outermost layer of the epidermis is the:
a) Stratum basale
b) Stratum spinosum
c) Stratum granulosum
d) Stratum corneum ✓
17. Melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, is produced by cells called:
a) Keratinocytes
b) Melanocytes ✓
, c) Langerhans cells
d) Merkel cells
18. The layer of the skin that contains blood vessels, nerves, and hair follicles is the:
a) Epidermis
b) Dermis ✓
c) Hypodermis (subcutaneous layer)
d) Stratum basale
19. A first-degree burn involves damage only to the:
a) Epidermis ✓
b) Dermis
c) Hypodermis
d) Muscle
20. The cutaneous membrane is another name for the:
a) Synovial membrane
b) Serous membrane
c) Skin ✓
d) Mucous membrane
Chapter 5: The Skeletal System
21. The shaft of a long bone is called the:
a) Epiphysis
b) Diaphysis ✓
c) Metaphysis
d) Medullary cavity
22. The cells responsible for forming new bone matrix are:
a) Osteoclasts
b) Osteoblasts ✓
c) Osteocytes
d) Chondrocytes
23. The axial skeleton includes all of the following EXCEPT:
a) Skull
b) Vertebral column
Ed.) – Final Exam Study Guide 2026/2027
Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation
1. Which of the following is the correct sequence, from simplest to most complex, in the
levels of structural organization of the human body?
a) Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organismal
b) Cellular, chemical, tissue, organ, organ system, organismal
c) Tissue, cellular, chemical, organ, organismal, organ system
d) Chemical, cellular, organ, tissue, organ system, organismal
Answer: a) Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organismal ✓
2. The system that takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide is the:
a) Urinary system
b) Respiratory system
c) Cardiovascular system
d) Digestive system
Answer: b) Respiratory system ✓
3. The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions is called:
a) Homeostasis ✓
b) Metabolism
c) Negative feedback
d) Anatomical position
4. In anatomical position, the palms are facing:
a) Backward
b) Forward ✓
c) Medially
d) Downward
5. A section that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts is called a:
a) Sagittal section
b) Transverse (horizontal) section
c) Frontal (coronal) section ✓
d) Midsagittal section
,Chapter 2: Basic Chemistry
6. The most abundant element in the human body is:
a) Carbon
b) Hydrogen
c) Oxygen ✓
d) Nitrogen
7. The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of:
a) Protons ✓
b) Neutrons
c) Protons and neutrons
d) Electrons
8. A bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms is a(n):
a) Ionic bond
b) Hydrogen bond
c) Covalent bond ✓
d) Polar bond
9. On the pH scale, a value of 7 indicates:
a) A strong acid
b) A strong base
c) Neutrality ✓
d) A weak base
10. The type of reaction that builds larger molecules from smaller ones is:
a) Synthesis (anabolic) ✓
b) Decomposition (catabolic)
c) Exchange
d) Hydrolysis
Chapter 3: Cells and Tissues
11. The "control center" of the cell, containing DNA, is the:
a) Nucleus ✓
b) Mitochondrion
,c) Ribosome
d) Golgi apparatus
12. The site of ATP synthesis (cellular respiration) is the:
a) Rough ER
b) Lysosome
c) Mitochondrion ✓
d) Nucleolus
13. Passive transport that requires a protein carrier but not energy is:
a) Osmosis
b) Simple diffusion
c) Endocytosis
d) Facilitated diffusion ✓
14. The tissue that covers and lines body surfaces is:
a) Connective tissue
b) Muscle tissue
c) Epithelial tissue ✓
d) Nervous tissue
15. Which type of tissue is characterized by having an extensive extracellular matrix?
a) Epithelial
b) Connective ✓
c) Muscle
d) Nervous
Chapter 4: Skin and Body Membranes
16. The outermost layer of the epidermis is the:
a) Stratum basale
b) Stratum spinosum
c) Stratum granulosum
d) Stratum corneum ✓
17. Melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, is produced by cells called:
a) Keratinocytes
b) Melanocytes ✓
, c) Langerhans cells
d) Merkel cells
18. The layer of the skin that contains blood vessels, nerves, and hair follicles is the:
a) Epidermis
b) Dermis ✓
c) Hypodermis (subcutaneous layer)
d) Stratum basale
19. A first-degree burn involves damage only to the:
a) Epidermis ✓
b) Dermis
c) Hypodermis
d) Muscle
20. The cutaneous membrane is another name for the:
a) Synovial membrane
b) Serous membrane
c) Skin ✓
d) Mucous membrane
Chapter 5: The Skeletal System
21. The shaft of a long bone is called the:
a) Epiphysis
b) Diaphysis ✓
c) Metaphysis
d) Medullary cavity
22. The cells responsible for forming new bone matrix are:
a) Osteoclasts
b) Osteoblasts ✓
c) Osteocytes
d) Chondrocytes
23. The axial skeleton includes all of the following EXCEPT:
a) Skull
b) Vertebral column
