3rd Edition by Lachel Story | 2025/2026 Updated Exam
Q&A PDF Guide
Chapter 1: Cellular Function (Questions 1-40)
Question 1
The movement of water or another solvent across the cellular membrane from an area
of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration is referred to as:
A) Meiosis
B) Osmosis
C) Lysis
D) Mitosis
Correct Answer: B) Osmosis
Rationale: Osmosis is the movement of water or another solvent across a
semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of
high solute concentration. Meiosis is cell division occurring only in mature sperm
, and ova. Lysis occurs when too much water enters a cell, causing it to burst. Mitosis
is the process of cell division for growth and repair .
Question 2
Cells become specialized in their structure and function through:
A) Proliferation
B) Atrophy
C) Differentiation
D) Pinocytosis
Correct Answer: C) Differentiation
Rationale: Differentiation is the process by which cells become specialized in
structure and function. Proliferation is the process by which cells divide and
reproduce. Atrophy refers to a decrease in cell size. Pinocytosis is "cell drinking," a
form of endocytosis .
Question 3
Eradicating the disease is the goal of:
A) Palliative treatment
B) All cancer treatment
C) Prophylactic treatment
D) Curative treatment
Correct Answer: D) Curative treatment
Rationale: Curative treatment seeks to eradicate the disease entirely. Not all cancer
treatment is curative; some is palliative (symptom management). Prophylactic
treatment seeks to prevent disease .
,Question 4
The fetus is most vulnerable to environmental influences during which period of
gestation?
A) 10 to 15 days
B) The first 30 days
C) 15 to 60 days
D) The first trimester
Correct Answer: C) 15 to 60 days
Rationale: The fetus is most vulnerable to environmental influences from 15 to 60
days of gestation (approximately weeks 3-8), when major organ systems are
developing .
Question 5
Which form of cellular adaptation occurs because of decreased work demands on the
cell?
A) Hypertrophy
B) Hyperplasia
C) Atrophy
D) Metaplasia
Correct Answer: C) Atrophy
Rationale: Atrophy is a decrease in cell size resulting from decreased work
demands, disuse, or reduced blood supply. Hypertrophy is an increase in cell size.
Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number. Metaplasia is the replacement of one
adult cell type with another .
, Question 6
What are the sex chromosomes that a female has?
A) Paired X chromosomes
B) Autosomes
C) One X and one Y chromosome
D) Two Y chromosomes
Correct Answer: A) Paired X chromosomes
Rationale: Females have two X chromosomes (XX). Males have one X and one Y
chromosome (XY). Autosomes are the 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes .
Question 7
Which disorders are passed from an affected parent to an offspring regardless of sex?
A) Sex-linked disorders
B) Fragile X syndrome
C) Autosomal dominant disorders
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: C) Autosomal dominant disorders
Rationale: Autosomal dominant disorders are passed from an affected parent to
offspring regardless of sex because the gene is on an autosome, not a sex
chromosome. Sex-linked disorders are on the X or Y chromosome .
Question 8
Gangrene is a form of:
A) Caseous necrosis
B) Liquefaction necrosis