1
IVY TECH APHY 101 FINAL ACTUAL
C O M P R E H E N S I V E EXAMI N A T I O N A C A D E M I C
YEAR 2026-27 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is a sarcomere? - ANSWER-contractile unit of a muscle fiber &
functional unit of muscle cell
What is the sarcoplasmic reticulum? - ANSWER-the endoplasmic
reticulum of a muscle cell. surrounds each myofirbril and runs parallel
to it.
What are transverse tubules? - ANSWER-- they play an important role in
the transmission of the stimulus of muscle contraction.
- contains extracellular fluid.
what is the function of actin? - ANSWER-they are the force generating
proteins of the sarcomere, and they work together during the muscle
contraction cycle in order to produce movement. the contractile
proteins that forms the thick filaments.
What is the neuromuscular junction? - ANSWER-the synapse where a
motor neuron and skeletal muscle fiber meet
,2
how does acetylcholine play a role in the neuromuscular junction? -
ANSWER-- it is the neurotransmitter that motor neurons use to control
skeletal contraction.
- it is synthesized in the cytoplasm of the motor neuron and is
stored in the synaptic vesicles near the distal end of its axson.
How does muscle contraction occur? - ANSWER-The cross bridges 'grab
hold' of the actin filaments and pull them in order to cause contraction -
ATP supplies energy for this
what does aerobic mean/do in regards to muscle contraction? -
ANSWER-Aerobic respiration requires the presence of oxygen to break
down food energy (usually glucose and fat) to generate ATP for muscle
contractions.
- Aerobic respiration produces large amounts of ATP and is an
efficient means of making ATP.
- Up to 38 ATP molecules can be made for every glucose molecule that is
broken down
what does anaerobic mean/do in regards to muscle contraction? -
ANSWER-Anaerobic exercise is a type of exercise that breaks down
glucose in the body without using oxygen, as anaerobic means "without
oxygen".
- In practical terms, this means that anaerobic exercise is harder
but shorter than aerobic exercise.
-HIIT exercise is an example of when this would happen
What is the origin? - ANSWER-immovable end of a muscle
What is insertion? - ANSWER-more moveable end of a muscle
what is a prime mover? - ANSWER-muscle that provides most of a
particular body movement (agonist)
,3
What is a synergist? - ANSWER-Muscles that aids a prime mover in a
movement and helps prevent rotation
Ex: When making a fist, the synergist muscles prevent the wrist from
bending. The muscles stabilize and allow the prime mover to act on the
finger joints
(muscle that assists the action of angonist)
What are antagonists? - ANSWER-- muscle that causes opposite
movement to an agonist
- (book definition) muscle that opposes a particular movement
What is the central nervous system (CNS)? - ANSWER-Consists of the
brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and
decisions.
what is the peripheral nervous system? - ANSWER-- the sensory and
motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
, 4
What is the autonomic nervous system? - ANSWER-- This regulates
events that are automatic, or involuntary, such as the activity of the
smooth and cardiac muscles and glands.
- This is often referred to as the involuntary nervous system.
what is the somatic nervous system? - ANSWER-communicates
voluntary (conscious) instruction originating in the CNS to skeletal
muscles that cause contraction
what are the basic parts of a neuron? - ANSWER-cell body, dendrites,
axon
what are the functional classifications of neurons? - ANSWER-sensory
neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons
what are sensory neurons? - ANSWER-neurons that carry incoming
information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
what are interneurons? - ANSWER-neurons within the brain and spinal
cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory
inputs and motor outputs
what are motor neurons? - ANSWER-conduct impulses out of the brain
or spinal cord to effectors (example: glands)
What are neuroglial cells? - ANSWER-they are support cells that
surround neurons and provide nutrients, immune support, and
appropriate external environment
what are the four types of neuroglial cells? - ANSWER-1. Astrocytes
2. Oligodendrocytes
3. Microglia
4. Ependymal cells
IVY TECH APHY 101 FINAL ACTUAL
C O M P R E H E N S I V E EXAMI N A T I O N A C A D E M I C
YEAR 2026-27 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is a sarcomere? - ANSWER-contractile unit of a muscle fiber &
functional unit of muscle cell
What is the sarcoplasmic reticulum? - ANSWER-the endoplasmic
reticulum of a muscle cell. surrounds each myofirbril and runs parallel
to it.
What are transverse tubules? - ANSWER-- they play an important role in
the transmission of the stimulus of muscle contraction.
- contains extracellular fluid.
what is the function of actin? - ANSWER-they are the force generating
proteins of the sarcomere, and they work together during the muscle
contraction cycle in order to produce movement. the contractile
proteins that forms the thick filaments.
What is the neuromuscular junction? - ANSWER-the synapse where a
motor neuron and skeletal muscle fiber meet
,2
how does acetylcholine play a role in the neuromuscular junction? -
ANSWER-- it is the neurotransmitter that motor neurons use to control
skeletal contraction.
- it is synthesized in the cytoplasm of the motor neuron and is
stored in the synaptic vesicles near the distal end of its axson.
How does muscle contraction occur? - ANSWER-The cross bridges 'grab
hold' of the actin filaments and pull them in order to cause contraction -
ATP supplies energy for this
what does aerobic mean/do in regards to muscle contraction? -
ANSWER-Aerobic respiration requires the presence of oxygen to break
down food energy (usually glucose and fat) to generate ATP for muscle
contractions.
- Aerobic respiration produces large amounts of ATP and is an
efficient means of making ATP.
- Up to 38 ATP molecules can be made for every glucose molecule that is
broken down
what does anaerobic mean/do in regards to muscle contraction? -
ANSWER-Anaerobic exercise is a type of exercise that breaks down
glucose in the body without using oxygen, as anaerobic means "without
oxygen".
- In practical terms, this means that anaerobic exercise is harder
but shorter than aerobic exercise.
-HIIT exercise is an example of when this would happen
What is the origin? - ANSWER-immovable end of a muscle
What is insertion? - ANSWER-more moveable end of a muscle
what is a prime mover? - ANSWER-muscle that provides most of a
particular body movement (agonist)
,3
What is a synergist? - ANSWER-Muscles that aids a prime mover in a
movement and helps prevent rotation
Ex: When making a fist, the synergist muscles prevent the wrist from
bending. The muscles stabilize and allow the prime mover to act on the
finger joints
(muscle that assists the action of angonist)
What are antagonists? - ANSWER-- muscle that causes opposite
movement to an agonist
- (book definition) muscle that opposes a particular movement
What is the central nervous system (CNS)? - ANSWER-Consists of the
brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and
decisions.
what is the peripheral nervous system? - ANSWER-- the sensory and
motor neurons that connect the CNS to the rest of the body
, 4
What is the autonomic nervous system? - ANSWER-- This regulates
events that are automatic, or involuntary, such as the activity of the
smooth and cardiac muscles and glands.
- This is often referred to as the involuntary nervous system.
what is the somatic nervous system? - ANSWER-communicates
voluntary (conscious) instruction originating in the CNS to skeletal
muscles that cause contraction
what are the basic parts of a neuron? - ANSWER-cell body, dendrites,
axon
what are the functional classifications of neurons? - ANSWER-sensory
neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons
what are sensory neurons? - ANSWER-neurons that carry incoming
information from the sensory receptors to the brain and spinal cord
what are interneurons? - ANSWER-neurons within the brain and spinal
cord that communicate internally and intervene between the sensory
inputs and motor outputs
what are motor neurons? - ANSWER-conduct impulses out of the brain
or spinal cord to effectors (example: glands)
What are neuroglial cells? - ANSWER-they are support cells that
surround neurons and provide nutrients, immune support, and
appropriate external environment
what are the four types of neuroglial cells? - ANSWER-1. Astrocytes
2. Oligodendrocytes
3. Microglia
4. Ependymal cells
