PORTAGE LEARNING BIOD 152 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2
2026/2027 — MODULES 1–7 AND LABS 1–8 COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
1. Describe the parts of a mature sperm. - ANSWERS-The head is almost entirely
nucleus containing the cell DNA with a crown called the acrosome which contains
enzymes that breakdown the membrane of the egg to allow the sperm to penetrate.
The midpiece contains numerous mitochondria that generate the locomotive energy
needed by the sperm. The tail is a typical flagellum which is used to propel the sperm
through the female reproductive tract.
2. What is the purpose of the hormone testosterone? - ANSWERS-stimulates the sex
drive and growth in males. It also stimulates secondary sex characteristics such as
broad shoulders, deep voice, increased muscle size and bone density, and increased
hair.
3. Why are offspring different from their parents? - ANSWERS-In sexual reproduction,
the offspring inherits half its genes from one parent and the other half from the other
parent. Therefore, an offspring has a different combination of genes than either
parent. In this way, variation is introduced and maintained.
4. What is a haploid cell? A diploid cell? - ANSWERS-A diploid cell is found throughout
the body containing 46 chromosomes. A haploid cell is a gamete cell containing 23
chromosomes.
5. What is meiosis? - ANSWERS-During meiosis, gametes divide to form four gametes
each with only half of the chromosomes needed (23).
6. How many chromosomes does a zygote contain? - ANSWERS-46
7. What determines the sex of the developing fetus? - ANSWERS-Sex is also determined
by the chromosomes. Males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.
Females have two X chromosomes.
8. What is the corona radiata? - ANSWERS-Follicle cells surrounding the egg
9. How long are male and female gametes viable? - ANSWERS-Sperm are viable for 3-5
days after ejaculation, depending on the environment, and an egg can survive for up
to 24 hours after ovulation.
10. Describe the order of development from a fertilized egg to a fetus. - ANSWERS-The
zygote (fertilized egg) spends about three to four days undergoing mitosis in the
oviducts forming the morula and another three to four days undergoing mitosis while
unattached in the uterus, forming the blastocyst as the endometrium prepares for
implantation. Upon implantation some cells in the blastocyst begin to develop into
three layers which become the embryo. By the end of week eight the embryo is
considered a fetus.
, 11. The presence of _____ in urine will result in a positive pregnancy test taken at home. -
ANSWERS-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
12. Describe the supportive cells formed in the blastocyst. - ANSWERS-Other cells of the
blastocyst form supportive cells for embryonic function: the amnion, placenta and
umbilical cord. The amnion forms a sac filled with fluid to cushion and protect the
fetus. The placenta is a temporary organ that carries out nutritive, respiratory,
excretory and endocrine functions for the embryo. The baby continues to grow in the
uterus with nutrition provided by the placenta for nine months until it is time for
delivery. The umbilical cord attaches the embryo to the placenta.
13. The skin and nervous tissue develop from the ----------- layer of the blastocyst. -
ANSWERS-Ectoderm
14. The inner endoderm layer forms the _________. - ANSWERS-forms the glands (thyroid,
parathyroid and thymus), solid organs (liver and pancreas) and the lining of the hollow
organs of the digestive and respiratory systems.
15. The cardiovascular system develops from what layer of the blastocyst? - ANSWERS-
Mesoderm
16. Describe the steps of the formation of the neural tube. - ANSWERS-The lateral sides
of the ectoderm move together (convergence) forming the epidermis superficially. The
neural fold forms underneath the epidermis, becoming the neural crest. The neural
plate becomes the neural groove and then finally the neural tube once convergence
is complete. The anterior portion of the neural tube becomes the brain and the rest
forms the brainstem and spinal cord.
17. What supplement is recommended to prevent neural tube defects? - ANSWERS-folic
acid
18. Around what week does the heart begin to have blood flow? - ANSWERS-Week 3
19. During what trimester do fingerprints develop? - ANSWERS-2nd trimester
20. What trimester do the testes descend into the scrotum? - ANSWERS-3rd trimester
21. What causes the cervix to dilate during labor? - ANSWERS-The uterus contracts,
which pushes the baby's head against the cervix causing it to dilate (widen).
22. What is the second stage of labor? - ANSWERS-delivery of baby
23. What is the third stage of labor? - ANSWERS-delivery of placenta
24. What stage of labor is the longest? - ANSWERS-dilation of the cervix
2026/2027 — MODULES 1–7 AND LABS 1–8 COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
1. Describe the parts of a mature sperm. - ANSWERS-The head is almost entirely
nucleus containing the cell DNA with a crown called the acrosome which contains
enzymes that breakdown the membrane of the egg to allow the sperm to penetrate.
The midpiece contains numerous mitochondria that generate the locomotive energy
needed by the sperm. The tail is a typical flagellum which is used to propel the sperm
through the female reproductive tract.
2. What is the purpose of the hormone testosterone? - ANSWERS-stimulates the sex
drive and growth in males. It also stimulates secondary sex characteristics such as
broad shoulders, deep voice, increased muscle size and bone density, and increased
hair.
3. Why are offspring different from their parents? - ANSWERS-In sexual reproduction,
the offspring inherits half its genes from one parent and the other half from the other
parent. Therefore, an offspring has a different combination of genes than either
parent. In this way, variation is introduced and maintained.
4. What is a haploid cell? A diploid cell? - ANSWERS-A diploid cell is found throughout
the body containing 46 chromosomes. A haploid cell is a gamete cell containing 23
chromosomes.
5. What is meiosis? - ANSWERS-During meiosis, gametes divide to form four gametes
each with only half of the chromosomes needed (23).
6. How many chromosomes does a zygote contain? - ANSWERS-46
7. What determines the sex of the developing fetus? - ANSWERS-Sex is also determined
by the chromosomes. Males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.
Females have two X chromosomes.
8. What is the corona radiata? - ANSWERS-Follicle cells surrounding the egg
9. How long are male and female gametes viable? - ANSWERS-Sperm are viable for 3-5
days after ejaculation, depending on the environment, and an egg can survive for up
to 24 hours after ovulation.
10. Describe the order of development from a fertilized egg to a fetus. - ANSWERS-The
zygote (fertilized egg) spends about three to four days undergoing mitosis in the
oviducts forming the morula and another three to four days undergoing mitosis while
unattached in the uterus, forming the blastocyst as the endometrium prepares for
implantation. Upon implantation some cells in the blastocyst begin to develop into
three layers which become the embryo. By the end of week eight the embryo is
considered a fetus.
, 11. The presence of _____ in urine will result in a positive pregnancy test taken at home. -
ANSWERS-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
12. Describe the supportive cells formed in the blastocyst. - ANSWERS-Other cells of the
blastocyst form supportive cells for embryonic function: the amnion, placenta and
umbilical cord. The amnion forms a sac filled with fluid to cushion and protect the
fetus. The placenta is a temporary organ that carries out nutritive, respiratory,
excretory and endocrine functions for the embryo. The baby continues to grow in the
uterus with nutrition provided by the placenta for nine months until it is time for
delivery. The umbilical cord attaches the embryo to the placenta.
13. The skin and nervous tissue develop from the ----------- layer of the blastocyst. -
ANSWERS-Ectoderm
14. The inner endoderm layer forms the _________. - ANSWERS-forms the glands (thyroid,
parathyroid and thymus), solid organs (liver and pancreas) and the lining of the hollow
organs of the digestive and respiratory systems.
15. The cardiovascular system develops from what layer of the blastocyst? - ANSWERS-
Mesoderm
16. Describe the steps of the formation of the neural tube. - ANSWERS-The lateral sides
of the ectoderm move together (convergence) forming the epidermis superficially. The
neural fold forms underneath the epidermis, becoming the neural crest. The neural
plate becomes the neural groove and then finally the neural tube once convergence
is complete. The anterior portion of the neural tube becomes the brain and the rest
forms the brainstem and spinal cord.
17. What supplement is recommended to prevent neural tube defects? - ANSWERS-folic
acid
18. Around what week does the heart begin to have blood flow? - ANSWERS-Week 3
19. During what trimester do fingerprints develop? - ANSWERS-2nd trimester
20. What trimester do the testes descend into the scrotum? - ANSWERS-3rd trimester
21. What causes the cervix to dilate during labor? - ANSWERS-The uterus contracts,
which pushes the baby's head against the cervix causing it to dilate (widen).
22. What is the second stage of labor? - ANSWERS-delivery of baby
23. What is the third stage of labor? - ANSWERS-delivery of placenta
24. What stage of labor is the longest? - ANSWERS-dilation of the cervix
