BIOL 251 Module 5 Exam Review | Human Anatomy &
Physiology I with Lab | Questions with Correct Answers
| Portage Learning | 2026 Update
Module 5: The Muscular System - Comprehensive Exam
Review
Questions 1-50: Muscle Tissue Fundamentals
1. What are the four major functional characteristics of muscle tissue?
A) Contractility, Excitability, Extensibility, Elasticity
B) Contractility, Conductivity, Extensibility, Elasticity
C) Excitability, Conductivity, Elasticity, Flexibility
D) Contractility, Excitability, Flexibility, Permeability
Answer: A
Rationale: The four major functional characteristics of muscle tissue
are contractility (ability to shorten forcibly), excitability (responsiveness to
stimuli), extensibility (ability to stretch), and elasticity (ability to return to original
length after stretching).
,2. What are the three types of muscle tissue?
A) Striated, Non-striated, and Cardiac
B) Skeletal, Smooth, and Cardiac
C) Voluntary, Involuntary, and Autonomic
D) Red, White, and Mixed
Answer: B
Rationale: The three types of muscle tissue are skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle.
Skeletal muscle is voluntary and striated; cardiac muscle is involuntary and striated;
smooth muscle is involuntary and non-striated.
3. In terms of their nuclei, skeletal muscle fibers are different than most cells in
two ways. What are those ways?
A) They are uninucleated and nuclei are in the center
B) They are multinucleated and nuclei lay at the edge of the cell
C) They have no nuclei and are fused cells
D) They have multiple nuclei in the center of the cell
Answer: B
Rationale: Skeletal muscle fibers are multinucleated (contain many nuclei) and their
nuclei are located at the periphery (edge) of the cell, just beneath the sarcolemma. This
occurs because skeletal muscle fibers are formed by the fusion of many embryonic
myoblasts.
,4. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the cell
membrane?
A) Produces energy for the cell through ATP synthesis
B) Controls what enters and exits the cell while maintaining cellular homeostasis
C) Stores genetic information and directs protein synthesis
D) Breaks down waste products into harmless substances
Answer: B
Rationale: The cell membrane (plasma membrane) is a selectively permeable barrier
composed of a phospholipid bilayer that controls the movement of substances in and
out of the cell. This is its primary function. Option A describes mitochondria, C describes
the nucleus, and D describes lysosomes.
5. Which organelle is responsible for producing ATP, the energy currency of the
cell?
A) Rough endoplasmic reticulum
B) Golgi apparatus
C) Mitochondrion
D) Lysosome
Answer: C
Rationale: Mitochondria are known as the "powerhouse of the cell" because they
produce ATP through aerobic respiration. The cristae (folds) of the inner mitochondrial
membrane increase surface area for the electron transport chain.
, 6. Which tissue type covers the external surface of the body?
A) Connective tissue
B) Muscle tissue
C) Nervous tissue
D) Epithelial tissue
Answer: D
Rationale: Epithelial tissue forms protective coverings and linings, including the
epidermis of the skin. It is characterized by tightly packed cells with minimal extracellular
matrix.
7. The stratum corneum is found in which layer of the epidermis?
A) The deepest layer responsible for cell division
B) The outermost layer consisting of dead, keratinized cells
C) The middle layer containing melanocytes
D) The layer containing sensory receptors
Answer: B
Rationale: The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis composed of
dead, keratinized cells that provide waterproofing and protection. The deepest layer is
the stratum basale.
Physiology I with Lab | Questions with Correct Answers
| Portage Learning | 2026 Update
Module 5: The Muscular System - Comprehensive Exam
Review
Questions 1-50: Muscle Tissue Fundamentals
1. What are the four major functional characteristics of muscle tissue?
A) Contractility, Excitability, Extensibility, Elasticity
B) Contractility, Conductivity, Extensibility, Elasticity
C) Excitability, Conductivity, Elasticity, Flexibility
D) Contractility, Excitability, Flexibility, Permeability
Answer: A
Rationale: The four major functional characteristics of muscle tissue
are contractility (ability to shorten forcibly), excitability (responsiveness to
stimuli), extensibility (ability to stretch), and elasticity (ability to return to original
length after stretching).
,2. What are the three types of muscle tissue?
A) Striated, Non-striated, and Cardiac
B) Skeletal, Smooth, and Cardiac
C) Voluntary, Involuntary, and Autonomic
D) Red, White, and Mixed
Answer: B
Rationale: The three types of muscle tissue are skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle.
Skeletal muscle is voluntary and striated; cardiac muscle is involuntary and striated;
smooth muscle is involuntary and non-striated.
3. In terms of their nuclei, skeletal muscle fibers are different than most cells in
two ways. What are those ways?
A) They are uninucleated and nuclei are in the center
B) They are multinucleated and nuclei lay at the edge of the cell
C) They have no nuclei and are fused cells
D) They have multiple nuclei in the center of the cell
Answer: B
Rationale: Skeletal muscle fibers are multinucleated (contain many nuclei) and their
nuclei are located at the periphery (edge) of the cell, just beneath the sarcolemma. This
occurs because skeletal muscle fibers are formed by the fusion of many embryonic
myoblasts.
,4. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the cell
membrane?
A) Produces energy for the cell through ATP synthesis
B) Controls what enters and exits the cell while maintaining cellular homeostasis
C) Stores genetic information and directs protein synthesis
D) Breaks down waste products into harmless substances
Answer: B
Rationale: The cell membrane (plasma membrane) is a selectively permeable barrier
composed of a phospholipid bilayer that controls the movement of substances in and
out of the cell. This is its primary function. Option A describes mitochondria, C describes
the nucleus, and D describes lysosomes.
5. Which organelle is responsible for producing ATP, the energy currency of the
cell?
A) Rough endoplasmic reticulum
B) Golgi apparatus
C) Mitochondrion
D) Lysosome
Answer: C
Rationale: Mitochondria are known as the "powerhouse of the cell" because they
produce ATP through aerobic respiration. The cristae (folds) of the inner mitochondrial
membrane increase surface area for the electron transport chain.
, 6. Which tissue type covers the external surface of the body?
A) Connective tissue
B) Muscle tissue
C) Nervous tissue
D) Epithelial tissue
Answer: D
Rationale: Epithelial tissue forms protective coverings and linings, including the
epidermis of the skin. It is characterized by tightly packed cells with minimal extracellular
matrix.
7. The stratum corneum is found in which layer of the epidermis?
A) The deepest layer responsible for cell division
B) The outermost layer consisting of dead, keratinized cells
C) The middle layer containing melanocytes
D) The layer containing sensory receptors
Answer: B
Rationale: The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis composed of
dead, keratinized cells that provide waterproofing and protection. The deepest layer is
the stratum basale.
