Grand Canyon University BIO-210 Anatomy & Physiology I Exam 2
(pdf) | 2026/2027 | A&P I Q&A | Anatomy
1. What are the two major divisions of the human skeleton?
A) Axial and Appendicular
B) Cranial and Postcranial
C) Compact and Spongy
D) Axial and Hyoid
Correct Answer: Axial and Appendicular
Rationale: The human skeleton is divided into two major parts: the axial
skeleton (skull, vertebral column, and rib cage) and the appendicular
skeleton (bones of the upper and lower limbs and their girdles). This division
is a foundational concept for understanding skeletal anatomy.
2. Which of the following best describes the difference between ligaments
and tendons?
A) Ligaments connect bone to bone; tendons connect bone to muscle
B) Ligaments connect muscle to bone; tendons connect bone to bone
C) Ligaments are found only in the appendicular skeleton; tendons only in
the axial skeleton
D) Ligaments are made of cartilage; tendons are made of bone
Correct Answer: Ligaments connect bone to bone; tendons connect bone to
muscle
Rationale: Ligaments are strong, fibrous bands that connect bones to other
bones at joints, providing stability. Tendons, on the other hand, connect
muscles to bones, transmitting the force of muscle contraction to produce
movement.
,3. The six functions of bone include support, protection, movement, mineral
storage, blood cell formation, and:
A) Hormone production
B) Triglyceride storage
C) Body temperature regulation
D) Vitamin D synthesis
Correct Answer: Triglyceride storage
Rationale: The six major functions of bone are: support (framework for the
body), protection (of vital organs), movement (as levers for muscles),
mineral storage (calcium and phosphorus), blood cell formation
(hematopoiesis in red bone marrow), and triglyceride storage (in yellow bone
marrow).
4. What is the primary function of osteoblasts?
A) Bone resorption (breaking down bone)
B) Bone formation (depositing new bone matrix)
C) Maintaining the bone matrix
D) Transforming into osteoclasts
Correct Answer: Bone formation (depositing new bone matrix)
Rationale: Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that synthesize and secrete the
organic components of the bone matrix (osteoid). They are responsible for
the production of new bone tissue.
5. Which type of bone cell is responsible for bone resorption?
,A) Osteoblasts
B) Osteocytes
C) Osteoclasts
D) Chondrocytes
Correct Answer: Osteoclasts
Rationale: Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells that are responsible for
bone resorption, the process of breaking down bone tissue. They are derived
from hematopoietic stem cells.
6. Mature bone cells that maintain the bone matrix and are found in lacunae
are called:
A) Osteoblasts
B) Osteocytes
C) Osteoclasts
D) Osteogenic cells
Correct Answer: Osteocytes
Rationale: Osteocytes are mature bone cells that originate from osteoblasts.
They reside in small spaces called lacunae and maintain the bone matrix by
exchanging nutrients and waste with the blood.
7. The structural unit of compact bone is the:
A) Osteon (Haversian system)
B) Trabecula
C) Canaliculus
, D) Lacuna
Correct Answer: Osteon (Haversian system)
Rationale: The osteon, or Haversian system, is the structural unit of compact
bone. It consists of concentric rings of bone matrix (lamellae) surrounding a
central canal that contains blood vessels and nerves.
8. Spongy bone is composed of a lattice of thin, bony plates called:
A) Osteons
B) Trabeculae
C) Haversian canals
D) Lamellae
Correct Answer: Trabeculae
Rationale: Spongy (cancellous) bone is composed of a network of trabeculae,
which are thin, branching bony plates. This structure makes spongy bone
lightweight yet strong and provides space for red bone marrow.
9. The shaft of a long bone is called the:
A) Epiphysis
B) Diaphysis
C) Metaphysis
D) Periosteum
Correct Answer: Diaphysis
(pdf) | 2026/2027 | A&P I Q&A | Anatomy
1. What are the two major divisions of the human skeleton?
A) Axial and Appendicular
B) Cranial and Postcranial
C) Compact and Spongy
D) Axial and Hyoid
Correct Answer: Axial and Appendicular
Rationale: The human skeleton is divided into two major parts: the axial
skeleton (skull, vertebral column, and rib cage) and the appendicular
skeleton (bones of the upper and lower limbs and their girdles). This division
is a foundational concept for understanding skeletal anatomy.
2. Which of the following best describes the difference between ligaments
and tendons?
A) Ligaments connect bone to bone; tendons connect bone to muscle
B) Ligaments connect muscle to bone; tendons connect bone to bone
C) Ligaments are found only in the appendicular skeleton; tendons only in
the axial skeleton
D) Ligaments are made of cartilage; tendons are made of bone
Correct Answer: Ligaments connect bone to bone; tendons connect bone to
muscle
Rationale: Ligaments are strong, fibrous bands that connect bones to other
bones at joints, providing stability. Tendons, on the other hand, connect
muscles to bones, transmitting the force of muscle contraction to produce
movement.
,3. The six functions of bone include support, protection, movement, mineral
storage, blood cell formation, and:
A) Hormone production
B) Triglyceride storage
C) Body temperature regulation
D) Vitamin D synthesis
Correct Answer: Triglyceride storage
Rationale: The six major functions of bone are: support (framework for the
body), protection (of vital organs), movement (as levers for muscles),
mineral storage (calcium and phosphorus), blood cell formation
(hematopoiesis in red bone marrow), and triglyceride storage (in yellow bone
marrow).
4. What is the primary function of osteoblasts?
A) Bone resorption (breaking down bone)
B) Bone formation (depositing new bone matrix)
C) Maintaining the bone matrix
D) Transforming into osteoclasts
Correct Answer: Bone formation (depositing new bone matrix)
Rationale: Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that synthesize and secrete the
organic components of the bone matrix (osteoid). They are responsible for
the production of new bone tissue.
5. Which type of bone cell is responsible for bone resorption?
,A) Osteoblasts
B) Osteocytes
C) Osteoclasts
D) Chondrocytes
Correct Answer: Osteoclasts
Rationale: Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells that are responsible for
bone resorption, the process of breaking down bone tissue. They are derived
from hematopoietic stem cells.
6. Mature bone cells that maintain the bone matrix and are found in lacunae
are called:
A) Osteoblasts
B) Osteocytes
C) Osteoclasts
D) Osteogenic cells
Correct Answer: Osteocytes
Rationale: Osteocytes are mature bone cells that originate from osteoblasts.
They reside in small spaces called lacunae and maintain the bone matrix by
exchanging nutrients and waste with the blood.
7. The structural unit of compact bone is the:
A) Osteon (Haversian system)
B) Trabecula
C) Canaliculus
, D) Lacuna
Correct Answer: Osteon (Haversian system)
Rationale: The osteon, or Haversian system, is the structural unit of compact
bone. It consists of concentric rings of bone matrix (lamellae) surrounding a
central canal that contains blood vessels and nerves.
8. Spongy bone is composed of a lattice of thin, bony plates called:
A) Osteons
B) Trabeculae
C) Haversian canals
D) Lamellae
Correct Answer: Trabeculae
Rationale: Spongy (cancellous) bone is composed of a network of trabeculae,
which are thin, branching bony plates. This structure makes spongy bone
lightweight yet strong and provides space for red bone marrow.
9. The shaft of a long bone is called the:
A) Epiphysis
B) Diaphysis
C) Metaphysis
D) Periosteum
Correct Answer: Diaphysis
