WCU PHYS 261 Human Physiology Final Exam | UPDATED
200 Questions, Answers & Rationales | LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR
Based on the current West Coast University PHYS 261 Human Physiology course
description, which covers cell function, tissues, body organization, and physiology of the
major organ systems.
Section 1: Foundations, Cells, Nervous System, and Muscle
1.
Which statement best describes homeostasis in the human body?
A. Maintenance of a completely unchanging internal environment
B. Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite external changes
C. Elimination of all fluctuations in body temperature
D. Prevention of all physiological responses
Answer: B. Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite external
changes
Rationale: Homeostasis keeps internal variables within relatively narrow ranges through
regulatory mechanisms.
2.
Which type of feedback mechanism generally counteracts the initial change?
A. Positive feedback
B. Negative feedback
,C. Feed-forward inhibition only
D. Reflex facilitation
Answer: B. Negative feedback
Rationale: Negative feedback opposes deviations from a physiological set point and
promotes stability.
3.
Which example represents positive feedback?
A. Regulation of body temperature
B. Blood glucose regulation
C. Labor contractions during childbirth
D. Maintenance of blood pressure
Answer: C. Labor contractions during childbirth
Rationale: Oxytocin increases uterine contractions, which promote additional oxytocin
release.
4.
Which organelle is primarily responsible for ATP production?
A. Ribosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Lysosome
Answer: C. Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria generate most cellular ATP through aerobic metabolism.
5.
,Which organelle synthesizes proteins?
A. Ribosome
B. Lysosome
C. Centriole
D. Peroxisome
Answer: A. Ribosome
Rationale: Ribosomes translate messenger RNA into polypeptide chains.
6.
Which organelle modifies, sorts, and packages proteins?
A. Nucleus
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Centrosome
Answer: B. Golgi apparatus
Rationale: The Golgi processes proteins and lipids and directs them to appropriate
destinations.
7.
Movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration is:
A. Active transport
B. Diffusion
C. Endocytosis
D. Filtration
, Answer: B. Diffusion
Rationale: Diffusion is passive movement down a concentration gradient.
8.
Which process requires ATP to move substances against a concentration gradient?
A. Osmosis
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Active transport
D. Simple diffusion
Answer: C. Active transport
Rationale: Active transport requires cellular energy to move substances against
electrochemical gradients.
9.
The sodium-potassium pump normally moves:
A. 3 Na⁺ into the cell and 2 K⁺ out
B. 2 Na⁺ into the cell and 3 K⁺ out
C. 3 Na⁺ out of the cell and 2 K⁺ into the cell
D. Equal amounts of Na⁺ and K⁺ in both directions
Answer: C. 3 Na⁺ out of the cell and 2 K⁺ into the cell
Rationale: The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase uses ATP to move three sodium ions out and two potassium
ions into the cell.
10.
Osmosis refers specifically to movement of:
200 Questions, Answers & Rationales | LATEST UPDATE
THIS YEAR
Based on the current West Coast University PHYS 261 Human Physiology course
description, which covers cell function, tissues, body organization, and physiology of the
major organ systems.
Section 1: Foundations, Cells, Nervous System, and Muscle
1.
Which statement best describes homeostasis in the human body?
A. Maintenance of a completely unchanging internal environment
B. Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite external changes
C. Elimination of all fluctuations in body temperature
D. Prevention of all physiological responses
Answer: B. Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite external
changes
Rationale: Homeostasis keeps internal variables within relatively narrow ranges through
regulatory mechanisms.
2.
Which type of feedback mechanism generally counteracts the initial change?
A. Positive feedback
B. Negative feedback
,C. Feed-forward inhibition only
D. Reflex facilitation
Answer: B. Negative feedback
Rationale: Negative feedback opposes deviations from a physiological set point and
promotes stability.
3.
Which example represents positive feedback?
A. Regulation of body temperature
B. Blood glucose regulation
C. Labor contractions during childbirth
D. Maintenance of blood pressure
Answer: C. Labor contractions during childbirth
Rationale: Oxytocin increases uterine contractions, which promote additional oxytocin
release.
4.
Which organelle is primarily responsible for ATP production?
A. Ribosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Lysosome
Answer: C. Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria generate most cellular ATP through aerobic metabolism.
5.
,Which organelle synthesizes proteins?
A. Ribosome
B. Lysosome
C. Centriole
D. Peroxisome
Answer: A. Ribosome
Rationale: Ribosomes translate messenger RNA into polypeptide chains.
6.
Which organelle modifies, sorts, and packages proteins?
A. Nucleus
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Centrosome
Answer: B. Golgi apparatus
Rationale: The Golgi processes proteins and lipids and directs them to appropriate
destinations.
7.
Movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration is:
A. Active transport
B. Diffusion
C. Endocytosis
D. Filtration
, Answer: B. Diffusion
Rationale: Diffusion is passive movement down a concentration gradient.
8.
Which process requires ATP to move substances against a concentration gradient?
A. Osmosis
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Active transport
D. Simple diffusion
Answer: C. Active transport
Rationale: Active transport requires cellular energy to move substances against
electrochemical gradients.
9.
The sodium-potassium pump normally moves:
A. 3 Na⁺ into the cell and 2 K⁺ out
B. 2 Na⁺ into the cell and 3 K⁺ out
C. 3 Na⁺ out of the cell and 2 K⁺ into the cell
D. Equal amounts of Na⁺ and K⁺ in both directions
Answer: C. 3 Na⁺ out of the cell and 2 K⁺ into the cell
Rationale: The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase uses ATP to move three sodium ions out and two potassium
ions into the cell.
10.
Osmosis refers specifically to movement of:
