Biology & Life Sciences
1 MAXE · 171 OIB
◆ ◆
Department of Anatomy & Physiology
BIOLOGY
EXPLORING THE SCIENCE OF LIFE
BIO 171 Exam 1 — Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry
Fundamentals
CO M P R E H E N S I V E E X A M I N AT I O N : S C I E N T I F I C M E T H O D · C E L LU L A R B I O LO G Y ·
B I O C H E M I ST RY · B O DY O R GA N I Z AT I O N
INSTITUTION [UNCONFIRMED] — BIO 171 COURSE CODE BIO 171
General Biology / A&P
PROGRAM [INFERRED] — Associate / ACADEMIC YEAR
Bachelor of Science
EXAM TITLE BIO 171 Exam 1 — Anatomy, TOTAL QUESTIONS 91 Questions
Physiology & Biochemistry
COURSE TITLE General Biology / Anatomy & FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Physiology I Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on BIO 171 course content.
▸ Questions cover anatomy, physiology, scientific method, biochemistry, cellular biology, and body
organization.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales provided for comprehensive exam preparation.
▸ All content reflects standard Biology / Anatomy & Physiology I curriculum.
, SECTION I — BIO 171: COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION Questions 1 – 91
1. What are phospholipids and what is their primary function in the body?
A. Long-term energy storage molecules formed from glycerol and three fatty acids
B. Lipids that form chemical barriers for the cell membrane
C. Carbohydrates attached to lipids that build cellular tissue
D. 20-carbon fatty acids involved in the inflammatory response
CORRECT ANSWER B — Lipids that form chemical barriers for the cell membrane
RATIONALE Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules with a hydrophilic (water-loving)
phosphate head and hydrophobic (water-fearing) fatty acid tails. This unique
structure allows them to spontaneously form bilayers in aqueous environments,
creating the fundamental chemical barrier of all cell membranes — the
phospholipid bilayer. This barrier is selectively permeable, controlling what
enters and exits the cell. Triglycerides (option A) are for long-term energy storage;
glycolipids (option C) have carbohydrate attachments; eicosanoids (option D) are
20-carbon signaling molecules. Phospholipids are structurally essential, not
primarily metabolic.
,2. What is the peritoneum?
A. A single-layer membrane that covers the heart
B. A two-layer serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
C. The median space containing the heart and thymus
D. The membrane encasing the brain and spinal cord
CORRECT ANSWER B — A two-layer serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
RATIONALE The peritoneum is a two-layer serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic
cavity. The parietal peritoneum lines the cavity wall, while the visceral
peritoneum covers the external surfaces of abdominal organs. Between the two
layers is a thin film of serous fluid that reduces friction as organs move against
each other during digestion and movement. The peritoneum also helps anchor
organs in place and provides pathways for blood vessels and nerves. It is
structurally and functionally similar to the pleura (lungs) and pericardium (heart)
— all are serous membranes with parietal and visceral layers separated by
lubricating fluid.
3. What is gross anatomy?
A. The study of microscopic structures invisible to the unaided eye
B. Images and structures visible to the unaided eye
C. The examination of anatomical changes caused by disease
D. Internal structure visualized through scanning procedures
CORRECT ANSWER B — Images and structures visible to the unaided eye
RATIONALE Gross anatomy (also called macroscopic anatomy) examines body structures that
are large enough to be seen without magnification — either with the naked eye
during dissection or observation. This includes organs, organ systems, surface
landmarks, and regional anatomy. It is one of the major subdivisions of
anatomical study, contrasted with microscopic anatomy (requiring microscopes
to visualize cells and tissues), pathologic anatomy (studying disease-related
structural changes), and radiographic anatomy (using imaging technology like X-
rays, CT, and MRI to visualize internal structures). Gross anatomy forms the
foundation of clinical examination and surgical practice.
, 4. What is the physical half-life of a radioisotope?
A. The time required for half of the radioactive material to leave the body biologically
B. The time required for 50% of a radioisotope sample to become stable through decay
C. The time for an isotope to lose all of its excess neutrons
D. The time required for an atom to complete its octet rule
CORRECT ANSWER B — The time required for 50% of a radioisotope sample to become stable
through decay
RATIONALE The physical half-life is the time required for 50% of a radioactive substance to
decay into a stable form. This is a nuclear property — it is constant for a given
isotope and independent of temperature, chemical state, or biological processes.
For example, the physical half-life of iodine-131 is approximately 8 days. This is
distinct from the biological half-life, which is the time required for half of a
substance to be eliminated from the body through metabolic and excretory
processes. In nuclear medicine, both physical and biological half-lives are
considered when calculating radiation exposure and dosing. The concept of half-
life is critical for understanding radioisotope safety, medical imaging, and
radiation therapy.
1 MAXE · 171 OIB
◆ ◆
Department of Anatomy & Physiology
BIOLOGY
EXPLORING THE SCIENCE OF LIFE
BIO 171 Exam 1 — Anatomy, Physiology & Biochemistry
Fundamentals
CO M P R E H E N S I V E E X A M I N AT I O N : S C I E N T I F I C M E T H O D · C E L LU L A R B I O LO G Y ·
B I O C H E M I ST RY · B O DY O R GA N I Z AT I O N
INSTITUTION [UNCONFIRMED] — BIO 171 COURSE CODE BIO 171
General Biology / A&P
PROGRAM [INFERRED] — Associate / ACADEMIC YEAR
Bachelor of Science
EXAM TITLE BIO 171 Exam 1 — Anatomy, TOTAL QUESTIONS 91 Questions
Physiology & Biochemistry
COURSE TITLE General Biology / Anatomy & FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Physiology I Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question based on BIO 171 course content.
▸ Questions cover anatomy, physiology, scientific method, biochemistry, cellular biology, and body
organization.
▸ Correct answers and detailed rationales provided for comprehensive exam preparation.
▸ All content reflects standard Biology / Anatomy & Physiology I curriculum.
, SECTION I — BIO 171: COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION Questions 1 – 91
1. What are phospholipids and what is their primary function in the body?
A. Long-term energy storage molecules formed from glycerol and three fatty acids
B. Lipids that form chemical barriers for the cell membrane
C. Carbohydrates attached to lipids that build cellular tissue
D. 20-carbon fatty acids involved in the inflammatory response
CORRECT ANSWER B — Lipids that form chemical barriers for the cell membrane
RATIONALE Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules with a hydrophilic (water-loving)
phosphate head and hydrophobic (water-fearing) fatty acid tails. This unique
structure allows them to spontaneously form bilayers in aqueous environments,
creating the fundamental chemical barrier of all cell membranes — the
phospholipid bilayer. This barrier is selectively permeable, controlling what
enters and exits the cell. Triglycerides (option A) are for long-term energy storage;
glycolipids (option C) have carbohydrate attachments; eicosanoids (option D) are
20-carbon signaling molecules. Phospholipids are structurally essential, not
primarily metabolic.
,2. What is the peritoneum?
A. A single-layer membrane that covers the heart
B. A two-layer serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
C. The median space containing the heart and thymus
D. The membrane encasing the brain and spinal cord
CORRECT ANSWER B — A two-layer serous membrane that lines the abdominal cavity
RATIONALE The peritoneum is a two-layer serous membrane that lines the abdominopelvic
cavity. The parietal peritoneum lines the cavity wall, while the visceral
peritoneum covers the external surfaces of abdominal organs. Between the two
layers is a thin film of serous fluid that reduces friction as organs move against
each other during digestion and movement. The peritoneum also helps anchor
organs in place and provides pathways for blood vessels and nerves. It is
structurally and functionally similar to the pleura (lungs) and pericardium (heart)
— all are serous membranes with parietal and visceral layers separated by
lubricating fluid.
3. What is gross anatomy?
A. The study of microscopic structures invisible to the unaided eye
B. Images and structures visible to the unaided eye
C. The examination of anatomical changes caused by disease
D. Internal structure visualized through scanning procedures
CORRECT ANSWER B — Images and structures visible to the unaided eye
RATIONALE Gross anatomy (also called macroscopic anatomy) examines body structures that
are large enough to be seen without magnification — either with the naked eye
during dissection or observation. This includes organs, organ systems, surface
landmarks, and regional anatomy. It is one of the major subdivisions of
anatomical study, contrasted with microscopic anatomy (requiring microscopes
to visualize cells and tissues), pathologic anatomy (studying disease-related
structural changes), and radiographic anatomy (using imaging technology like X-
rays, CT, and MRI to visualize internal structures). Gross anatomy forms the
foundation of clinical examination and surgical practice.
, 4. What is the physical half-life of a radioisotope?
A. The time required for half of the radioactive material to leave the body biologically
B. The time required for 50% of a radioisotope sample to become stable through decay
C. The time for an isotope to lose all of its excess neutrons
D. The time required for an atom to complete its octet rule
CORRECT ANSWER B — The time required for 50% of a radioisotope sample to become stable
through decay
RATIONALE The physical half-life is the time required for 50% of a radioactive substance to
decay into a stable form. This is a nuclear property — it is constant for a given
isotope and independent of temperature, chemical state, or biological processes.
For example, the physical half-life of iodine-131 is approximately 8 days. This is
distinct from the biological half-life, which is the time required for half of a
substance to be eliminated from the body through metabolic and excretory
processes. In nuclear medicine, both physical and biological half-lives are
considered when calculating radiation exposure and dosing. The concept of half-
life is critical for understanding radioisotope safety, medical imaging, and
radiation therapy.
