,BIO 1100 Exam 2 Human Anatomy &
Physiology I Theory Galen College of Nursing
Exam Prep, Q&A & Study Guide 2026/2027
Edition
1. A nursing student is reviewing the structure of the plasma membrane. Which statement best
describes the arrangement of the phospholipid bilayer?
A. Hydrophobic heads face outward; hydrophilic tails face inward.
B. Hydrophilic heads face outward and inward; hydrophobic tails face each other in the interior.
C. Both heads and tails are hydrophobic.
D. The bilayer is composed of a single layer of phospholipids.
Correct Answer: B. Hydrophilic heads face outward and inward; hydrophobic tails face each
other in the interior.
Rationale: The plasma membrane is a phospholipid bilayer. The hydrophilic (water-loving) heads
face the aqueous environments inside and outside the cell, while the hydrophobic (water-
fearing) tails face each other in the interior, away from water.
2. Which of the following best describes the function of cholesterol in the plasma membrane?
A. It provides energy for the cell.
B. It helps maintain membrane fluidity.
C. It synthesizes proteins.
,D. It stores genetic information.
Correct Answer: B. It helps maintain membrane fluidity.
Rationale: Cholesterol is a lipid component of the plasma membrane that helps maintain
membrane fluidity across different temperatures. It prevents the membrane from becoming too
rigid in cold temperatures and too fluid in warm temperatures.
3. A cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. What will happen to the cell?
A. It will swell and burst.
B. It will shrink (crenate).
C. It will remain unchanged.
D. It will synthesize more proteins.
Correct Answer: B. It will shrink (crenate).
Rationale: In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell is higher than
inside. Water moves out of the cell by osmosis, causing the cell to shrink (crenate).
4. Which type of transport requires the use of ATP?
A. Diffusion.
B. Osmosis.
C. Active transport.
D. Facilitated diffusion.
, Correct Answer: C. Active transport.
Rationale: Active transport requires energy in the form of ATP to move substances against their
concentration gradients. Diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion are passive processes.
5. The sodium-potassium pump moves which ions and in what quantities?
A. 2 Na⁺ out; 3 K⁺ in.
B. 3 Na⁺ out; 2 K⁺ in.
C. 3 K⁺ out; 2 Na⁺ in.
D. 2 K⁺ out; 3 Na⁺ in.
Correct Answer: B. 3 Na⁺ out; 2 K⁺ in.
Rationale: The sodium-potassium pump is an active transport mechanism that moves three
sodium ions (Na⁺) out of the cell and two potassium ions (K⁺) into the cell for each ATP
consumed. This maintains the resting membrane potential.
6. Which organelle is the site of ATP production?
A. Nucleus.
B. Mitochondria.
C. Ribosome.
D. Golgi apparatus.
Correct Answer: B. Mitochondria.
Physiology I Theory Galen College of Nursing
Exam Prep, Q&A & Study Guide 2026/2027
Edition
1. A nursing student is reviewing the structure of the plasma membrane. Which statement best
describes the arrangement of the phospholipid bilayer?
A. Hydrophobic heads face outward; hydrophilic tails face inward.
B. Hydrophilic heads face outward and inward; hydrophobic tails face each other in the interior.
C. Both heads and tails are hydrophobic.
D. The bilayer is composed of a single layer of phospholipids.
Correct Answer: B. Hydrophilic heads face outward and inward; hydrophobic tails face each
other in the interior.
Rationale: The plasma membrane is a phospholipid bilayer. The hydrophilic (water-loving) heads
face the aqueous environments inside and outside the cell, while the hydrophobic (water-
fearing) tails face each other in the interior, away from water.
2. Which of the following best describes the function of cholesterol in the plasma membrane?
A. It provides energy for the cell.
B. It helps maintain membrane fluidity.
C. It synthesizes proteins.
,D. It stores genetic information.
Correct Answer: B. It helps maintain membrane fluidity.
Rationale: Cholesterol is a lipid component of the plasma membrane that helps maintain
membrane fluidity across different temperatures. It prevents the membrane from becoming too
rigid in cold temperatures and too fluid in warm temperatures.
3. A cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. What will happen to the cell?
A. It will swell and burst.
B. It will shrink (crenate).
C. It will remain unchanged.
D. It will synthesize more proteins.
Correct Answer: B. It will shrink (crenate).
Rationale: In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell is higher than
inside. Water moves out of the cell by osmosis, causing the cell to shrink (crenate).
4. Which type of transport requires the use of ATP?
A. Diffusion.
B. Osmosis.
C. Active transport.
D. Facilitated diffusion.
, Correct Answer: C. Active transport.
Rationale: Active transport requires energy in the form of ATP to move substances against their
concentration gradients. Diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion are passive processes.
5. The sodium-potassium pump moves which ions and in what quantities?
A. 2 Na⁺ out; 3 K⁺ in.
B. 3 Na⁺ out; 2 K⁺ in.
C. 3 K⁺ out; 2 Na⁺ in.
D. 2 K⁺ out; 3 Na⁺ in.
Correct Answer: B. 3 Na⁺ out; 2 K⁺ in.
Rationale: The sodium-potassium pump is an active transport mechanism that moves three
sodium ions (Na⁺) out of the cell and two potassium ions (K⁺) into the cell for each ATP
consumed. This maintains the resting membrane potential.
6. Which organelle is the site of ATP production?
A. Nucleus.
B. Mitochondria.
C. Ribosome.
D. Golgi apparatus.
Correct Answer: B. Mitochondria.
