Biol 252 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2
W/Lab -Comprehensive Final Exam Review |
All Questions And Solutions (Rationales) |
Exam Prep Q&A 2026/2027
1. A patient experiences shortness of breath after a severe asthma attack. Which change
most directly reduces the rate of oxygen diffusion from the alveoli into the pulmonary
capillary blood?
A. Increased oxygen concentration in the alveoli
B. Reduced alveolar ventilation and a decreased alveolar oxygen partial pressure
C. Increased hemoglobin concentration in the blood
D. Increased pulmonary capillary surface area
Answer: B
Rationale: Asthma causes bronchoconstriction, which limits airflow and reduces ventilation to
affected alveoli. The resulting decrease in alveolar oxygen partial pressure reduces the
diffusion gradient that drives oxygen into pulmonary blood.
2. During a laboratory exercise, a student examines a tissue sample containing closely
packed cells, minimal extracellular matrix, and a free surface facing a cavity. Which tissue
type is most likely present?
A. Connective tissue
B. Nervous tissue
C. Muscle tissue
D. Epithelial tissue
Answer: D
Rationale: Epithelial tissue consists of closely arranged cells with little extracellular matrix. It
covers body surfaces, lines cavities and organs, and forms many glands.
,3. A patient has a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Which renal change would
most likely occur?
A. Reduced water reabsorption in the collecting ducts, producing a large volume of dilute urine
B. Increased glucose reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule
C. Complete cessation of glomerular filtration
D. Increased sodium secretion into the distal tubule in every circumstance
Answer: A
Rationale: ADH increases the water permeability of collecting duct cells by promoting
aquaporin insertion. Insufficient ADH reduces water reabsorption, resulting in increased urine
volume and decreased urine concentration.
4. A histology student observes a neuron with a myelin sheath surrounding its axon. What
is the primary functional advantage of this sheath?
A. It produces neurotransmitters inside the synaptic cleft.
B. It prevents the neuron from generating action potentials.
C. It increases the speed of nerve impulse conduction through saltatory conduction.
D. It allows the cell body to absorb oxygen directly from the blood.
Answer: C
Rationale: Myelin electrically insulates the axon, allowing action potentials to propagate
rapidly between nodes of Ranvier. This process is called saltatory conduction and improves
the efficiency of neural signaling.
5. Following a meal rich in carbohydrates, blood glucose rises. Which pancreatic response
normally helps return glucose toward its usual range?
A. Increased glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells
B. Increased insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
C. Reduced glucose uptake by skeletal muscle
D. Increased cortisol secretion as the primary immediate response
Answer: B
,Rationale: Elevated blood glucose stimulates pancreatic beta cells to release insulin. Insulin
promotes glucose uptake in insulin-sensitive tissues and supports glycogen synthesis, helping
lower circulating glucose.
6. A patient sustains damage to the articular cartilage of the knee. Which normal function
of this tissue is most directly compromised?
A. Production of red blood cells
B. Transmission of motor impulses to the quadriceps
C. Secretion of synovial fluid by skeletal muscle
D. Reduction of friction and distribution of compressive loads across the joint
Answer: D
Rationale: Articular hyaline cartilage provides a smooth, low-friction surface and distributes
compressive forces between the bones of a synovial joint. Damage can increase friction and
contribute to pain and impaired movement.
7. A laboratory technician places red blood cells in a markedly hypotonic solution. What is
the most likely result?
A. Water enters the cells, causing them to swell and potentially rupture.
B. Water leaves the cells, causing them to shrink.
C. Solute movement stops because the membrane becomes impermeable.
D. The cells immediately increase their hemoglobin synthesis.
Answer: A
Rationale: A hypotonic solution has a lower effective solute concentration than the
intracellular fluid. Water enters red blood cells by osmosis, potentially causing hemolysis if
swelling exceeds the membrane's capacity.
8. During an action potential in a typical neuron, which event is primarily responsible for
the rapid depolarization phase?
A. Opening of voltage-gated potassium channels and potassium entry
B. Active transport of sodium out of the cell by the sodium-potassium pump
C. Opening of voltage-gated sodium channels and sodium entry
, D. Diffusion of chloride out of the nucleus
Answer: C
Rationale: When threshold is reached, voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing sodium
to enter down its electrochemical gradient. This inward current rapidly makes the membrane
potential less negative and then positive.
9. A student is asked to distinguish the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the
autonomic nervous system. Which statement is most accurate?
A. Both divisions control only voluntary skeletal muscle contraction.
B. The sympathetic division generally supports mobilization during stress, whereas the
parasympathetic division supports rest and digestion.
C. The parasympathetic division is responsible for all endocrine secretion.
D. The sympathetic division operates exclusively during sleep.
Answer: B
Rationale: The sympathetic division generally prepares the body for activity or stress, while
the parasympathetic division supports energy conservation, digestion, and other restorative
functions. Both regulate involuntary functions, and their effects depend on the target organ.
10. A patient has a low platelet count following a bone marrow disorder. Which
physiological process is most directly impaired?
A. Oxygen binding by hemoglobin
B. Antibody production by plasma cells
C. Transport of carbon dioxide by erythrocytes
D. Formation of the initial platelet plug during hemostasis
Answer: D
Rationale: Platelets adhere to damaged blood vessel surfaces, become activated, and
aggregate to form an initial platelet plug. A low platelet count increases the risk of impaired
primary hemostasis and bleeding.
11. A student measures blood pressure using a cuff that is too narrow for the patient's arm.
Which measurement error is most likely?
W/Lab -Comprehensive Final Exam Review |
All Questions And Solutions (Rationales) |
Exam Prep Q&A 2026/2027
1. A patient experiences shortness of breath after a severe asthma attack. Which change
most directly reduces the rate of oxygen diffusion from the alveoli into the pulmonary
capillary blood?
A. Increased oxygen concentration in the alveoli
B. Reduced alveolar ventilation and a decreased alveolar oxygen partial pressure
C. Increased hemoglobin concentration in the blood
D. Increased pulmonary capillary surface area
Answer: B
Rationale: Asthma causes bronchoconstriction, which limits airflow and reduces ventilation to
affected alveoli. The resulting decrease in alveolar oxygen partial pressure reduces the
diffusion gradient that drives oxygen into pulmonary blood.
2. During a laboratory exercise, a student examines a tissue sample containing closely
packed cells, minimal extracellular matrix, and a free surface facing a cavity. Which tissue
type is most likely present?
A. Connective tissue
B. Nervous tissue
C. Muscle tissue
D. Epithelial tissue
Answer: D
Rationale: Epithelial tissue consists of closely arranged cells with little extracellular matrix. It
covers body surfaces, lines cavities and organs, and forms many glands.
,3. A patient has a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Which renal change would
most likely occur?
A. Reduced water reabsorption in the collecting ducts, producing a large volume of dilute urine
B. Increased glucose reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule
C. Complete cessation of glomerular filtration
D. Increased sodium secretion into the distal tubule in every circumstance
Answer: A
Rationale: ADH increases the water permeability of collecting duct cells by promoting
aquaporin insertion. Insufficient ADH reduces water reabsorption, resulting in increased urine
volume and decreased urine concentration.
4. A histology student observes a neuron with a myelin sheath surrounding its axon. What
is the primary functional advantage of this sheath?
A. It produces neurotransmitters inside the synaptic cleft.
B. It prevents the neuron from generating action potentials.
C. It increases the speed of nerve impulse conduction through saltatory conduction.
D. It allows the cell body to absorb oxygen directly from the blood.
Answer: C
Rationale: Myelin electrically insulates the axon, allowing action potentials to propagate
rapidly between nodes of Ranvier. This process is called saltatory conduction and improves
the efficiency of neural signaling.
5. Following a meal rich in carbohydrates, blood glucose rises. Which pancreatic response
normally helps return glucose toward its usual range?
A. Increased glucagon secretion from pancreatic alpha cells
B. Increased insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells
C. Reduced glucose uptake by skeletal muscle
D. Increased cortisol secretion as the primary immediate response
Answer: B
,Rationale: Elevated blood glucose stimulates pancreatic beta cells to release insulin. Insulin
promotes glucose uptake in insulin-sensitive tissues and supports glycogen synthesis, helping
lower circulating glucose.
6. A patient sustains damage to the articular cartilage of the knee. Which normal function
of this tissue is most directly compromised?
A. Production of red blood cells
B. Transmission of motor impulses to the quadriceps
C. Secretion of synovial fluid by skeletal muscle
D. Reduction of friction and distribution of compressive loads across the joint
Answer: D
Rationale: Articular hyaline cartilage provides a smooth, low-friction surface and distributes
compressive forces between the bones of a synovial joint. Damage can increase friction and
contribute to pain and impaired movement.
7. A laboratory technician places red blood cells in a markedly hypotonic solution. What is
the most likely result?
A. Water enters the cells, causing them to swell and potentially rupture.
B. Water leaves the cells, causing them to shrink.
C. Solute movement stops because the membrane becomes impermeable.
D. The cells immediately increase their hemoglobin synthesis.
Answer: A
Rationale: A hypotonic solution has a lower effective solute concentration than the
intracellular fluid. Water enters red blood cells by osmosis, potentially causing hemolysis if
swelling exceeds the membrane's capacity.
8. During an action potential in a typical neuron, which event is primarily responsible for
the rapid depolarization phase?
A. Opening of voltage-gated potassium channels and potassium entry
B. Active transport of sodium out of the cell by the sodium-potassium pump
C. Opening of voltage-gated sodium channels and sodium entry
, D. Diffusion of chloride out of the nucleus
Answer: C
Rationale: When threshold is reached, voltage-gated sodium channels open, allowing sodium
to enter down its electrochemical gradient. This inward current rapidly makes the membrane
potential less negative and then positive.
9. A student is asked to distinguish the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the
autonomic nervous system. Which statement is most accurate?
A. Both divisions control only voluntary skeletal muscle contraction.
B. The sympathetic division generally supports mobilization during stress, whereas the
parasympathetic division supports rest and digestion.
C. The parasympathetic division is responsible for all endocrine secretion.
D. The sympathetic division operates exclusively during sleep.
Answer: B
Rationale: The sympathetic division generally prepares the body for activity or stress, while
the parasympathetic division supports energy conservation, digestion, and other restorative
functions. Both regulate involuntary functions, and their effects depend on the target organ.
10. A patient has a low platelet count following a bone marrow disorder. Which
physiological process is most directly impaired?
A. Oxygen binding by hemoglobin
B. Antibody production by plasma cells
C. Transport of carbon dioxide by erythrocytes
D. Formation of the initial platelet plug during hemostasis
Answer: D
Rationale: Platelets adhere to damaged blood vessel surfaces, become activated, and
aggregate to form an initial platelet plug. A low platelet count increases the risk of impaired
primary hemostasis and bleeding.
11. A student measures blood pressure using a cuff that is too narrow for the patient's arm.
Which measurement error is most likely?
