1|Page
WGU D312 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I– OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT (OA) 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT FEEDBACK
|NEW AND REVISED
1. What is the simplest level of structural organization in the human
body?
A. Tissue level
B. Organ level
C. Chemical level
D. Cellular level
Rationale: The chemical level is the simplest level of structural
organization, involving atoms and molecules. Atoms combine to form
molecules, which then form cellular components. This level forms the
foundation for all higher levels of organization.
2. Which level of structural organization consists of similar cells that
perform a common function?
A. Chemical level
B. Cellular level
C. Tissue level
D. Organ level
Rationale: Tissues are groups of similar cells that work together to
perform a specific function. The four primary tissue types are
epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.
3. What is the correct order of organization in the human body, from
simplest to most complex?
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A. Organ, tissue, cell, molecule, organ system
B. Atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
C. Cell, molecule, organ system, organ, tissue
D. Tissue, cell, molecule, atom, organ
Rationale: The hierarchical organization of the human body begins
with atoms, which combine to form molecules. Molecules form cells,
the smallest living units. Cells organize into tissues, tissues into
organs, organs into organ systems, and organ systems work together to
form an organism.
4. What is the study of the structure of body parts and their relationships
to one another?
A. Physiology
B. Anatomy
C. Cytology
D. Histology
Rationale: Anatomy is the study of the structure of body parts and
their relationships to one another. Physiology is the study of the
function of body parts. Cytology is the study of cells, and histology is
the study of tissues.
5. What is the study of the function of body parts?
A. Anatomy
B. Physiology
C. Histology
D. Embryology
Rationale: Physiology is the study of the function of body parts and
how they work to maintain life. Anatomy and physiology are closely
related, as structure often determines function.
6. What is the term for the maintenance of a relatively stable internal
environment?
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A. Metabolism
B. Homeostasis
C. Anabolism
D. Catabolism
Rationale: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable
internal environment despite external changes. It is essential for the
proper functioning of cells and the body as a whole.
7. Which feedback mechanism is most commonly used to maintain
homeostasis?
A. Positive feedback
B. Negative feedback
C. Feed-forward control
D. Homeostatic imbalance
Rationale: Negative feedback reverses a change to maintain a set point
(e.g., body temperature, blood glucose). Positive feedback amplifies
change (e.g., childbirth). Negative feedback is the primary mechanism
for maintaining homeostasis.
8. Which body cavity contains the brain?
A. Thoracic
B. Abdominal
C. Cranial
D. Pelvic
Rationale: The cranial cavity encloses the brain; the vertebral cavity
encloses the spinal cord. The thoracic cavity contains the heart and
lungs. The abdominal cavity contains digestive organs, and the pelvic
cavity contains reproductive and excretory organs.
9. The pleural cavity is part of which larger cavity?
A. Abdominopelvic
B. Thoracic
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C. Dorsal
D. Cranial
Rationale: The thoracic cavity contains the pleural (lungs) and
pericardial (heart) cavities. The abdominopelvic cavity contains
digestive and reproductive organs. The dorsal cavity contains the
cranial and vertebral cavities.
10. A section dividing the body into superior and inferior portions is:
A. Sagittal
B. Frontal
C. Transverse
D. Oblique
Rationale: A transverse (horizontal) plane makes top/bottom divisions.
A frontal (coronal) plane divides anterior/posterior. A sagittal plane
divides left/right. An oblique plane is at an angle.
11. Which organ is in the right upper quadrant (RUQ)?
A. Spleen
B. Appendix
C. Liver
D. Stomach
Rationale: The RUQ contains the liver, gallbladder, and right kidney.
The spleen and stomach are in the LUQ. The appendix is in the RLQ.
12. Which term means "farther from the point of attachment"?
A. Proximal
B. Distal
C. Medial
D. Superficial
WGU D312 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I– OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT (OA) 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT FEEDBACK
|NEW AND REVISED
1. What is the simplest level of structural organization in the human
body?
A. Tissue level
B. Organ level
C. Chemical level
D. Cellular level
Rationale: The chemical level is the simplest level of structural
organization, involving atoms and molecules. Atoms combine to form
molecules, which then form cellular components. This level forms the
foundation for all higher levels of organization.
2. Which level of structural organization consists of similar cells that
perform a common function?
A. Chemical level
B. Cellular level
C. Tissue level
D. Organ level
Rationale: Tissues are groups of similar cells that work together to
perform a specific function. The four primary tissue types are
epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.
3. What is the correct order of organization in the human body, from
simplest to most complex?
,2|Page
A. Organ, tissue, cell, molecule, organ system
B. Atom, molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
C. Cell, molecule, organ system, organ, tissue
D. Tissue, cell, molecule, atom, organ
Rationale: The hierarchical organization of the human body begins
with atoms, which combine to form molecules. Molecules form cells,
the smallest living units. Cells organize into tissues, tissues into
organs, organs into organ systems, and organ systems work together to
form an organism.
4. What is the study of the structure of body parts and their relationships
to one another?
A. Physiology
B. Anatomy
C. Cytology
D. Histology
Rationale: Anatomy is the study of the structure of body parts and
their relationships to one another. Physiology is the study of the
function of body parts. Cytology is the study of cells, and histology is
the study of tissues.
5. What is the study of the function of body parts?
A. Anatomy
B. Physiology
C. Histology
D. Embryology
Rationale: Physiology is the study of the function of body parts and
how they work to maintain life. Anatomy and physiology are closely
related, as structure often determines function.
6. What is the term for the maintenance of a relatively stable internal
environment?
,3|Page
A. Metabolism
B. Homeostasis
C. Anabolism
D. Catabolism
Rationale: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable
internal environment despite external changes. It is essential for the
proper functioning of cells and the body as a whole.
7. Which feedback mechanism is most commonly used to maintain
homeostasis?
A. Positive feedback
B. Negative feedback
C. Feed-forward control
D. Homeostatic imbalance
Rationale: Negative feedback reverses a change to maintain a set point
(e.g., body temperature, blood glucose). Positive feedback amplifies
change (e.g., childbirth). Negative feedback is the primary mechanism
for maintaining homeostasis.
8. Which body cavity contains the brain?
A. Thoracic
B. Abdominal
C. Cranial
D. Pelvic
Rationale: The cranial cavity encloses the brain; the vertebral cavity
encloses the spinal cord. The thoracic cavity contains the heart and
lungs. The abdominal cavity contains digestive organs, and the pelvic
cavity contains reproductive and excretory organs.
9. The pleural cavity is part of which larger cavity?
A. Abdominopelvic
B. Thoracic
, 4|Page
C. Dorsal
D. Cranial
Rationale: The thoracic cavity contains the pleural (lungs) and
pericardial (heart) cavities. The abdominopelvic cavity contains
digestive and reproductive organs. The dorsal cavity contains the
cranial and vertebral cavities.
10. A section dividing the body into superior and inferior portions is:
A. Sagittal
B. Frontal
C. Transverse
D. Oblique
Rationale: A transverse (horizontal) plane makes top/bottom divisions.
A frontal (coronal) plane divides anterior/posterior. A sagittal plane
divides left/right. An oblique plane is at an angle.
11. Which organ is in the right upper quadrant (RUQ)?
A. Spleen
B. Appendix
C. Liver
D. Stomach
Rationale: The RUQ contains the liver, gallbladder, and right kidney.
The spleen and stomach are in the LUQ. The appendix is in the RLQ.
12. Which term means "farther from the point of attachment"?
A. Proximal
B. Distal
C. Medial
D. Superficial
