biol 227 Lab Study Questions with
Complete Solutions
The pectoral girdle consists of: - ANSWER the scapula and clavicle, and the pelvic girdle
consists of the os coxae.
You are a biomedical researcher who is interested in designing a drug to increase bone density.
You have decided you can take one of two approaches: (1) design a drug that stimulates bone
to be built faster, or (2) design a drug that prevents bone from breaking down. To begin this
process, you need to study the cells that would likely respond to either drug 1 or drug 2. What
cells are these? - ANSWER osteoblasts and osteoclasts
What process must stop in order for the epiphyseal plate to close? (That is, which layer of the
plate must stop its development first?) - ANSWER Hyaline cartilage will stop growing
meaning the lengthwise growth of the bone will stop. The epiphyseal plate will continue to
fill in with bone until there is no more cartilage left.
A forensic anthropologist identifies a bone as a left femur with epiphyses that are detached
from the diaphysis. Does this bone belong to a juvenile or an adult? Justify your answer. -
ANSWER This bone would belong to a juvenile and that is because there is still growth that
would have been happening with that bone. A big marker also is that juvenile bones are the
only ones with an epiphyses and once in full "adult" form that goes away.
Why might astronauts, who spend only a few days in outer space under microgravity (reduced
gravity), experience a significant loss in bone density? - ANSWER * Gravity increases
mechanical loading on bones, which promotes bone growth. Specifically, gravity increases
osteoblast activity, thereby increasing bone deposition. Astronauts experience decreased
mechanical loading due to reduced gravity. This decreases osteoblast activity, whereas
osteoclast activity remains relatively constant. The result is a decrease in bone density.
, Vitamin D promotes increased dietary calcium and phosphorus absorption in the small
intestine. Describe why doctors may recommend vitamin D supplements to patients diagnosed
with osteoporosis (weak/brittle bones). - ANSWER Vitamin D as well as Calcium are normally
given to patients because they both help to maintain bone health. Now by themselves they will
not stimulate any new bone growth.
List at least 6 bones that are found in the axial skeleton. - ANSWER hyoid bone, palatine bones,
lacrimal bones, malleus, mandible, temporal bones
All ribs articulate with the - ANSWER thoracic
The sella turcica is a feature of which bone? - ANSWER sphenoid bone
smooth, grooved, pulley-like process - ANSWER trochlea
small, flat, shallow, articulating surface - ANSWER facet
large, smooth, and round projection - ANSWER condyle
prominent, rounded epiphysis of a bone - ANSWER head
What is/are bony features that function as attachment points for tendons and ligaments? -
ANSWER process
tuberosity
a round hole that passes through a bone - ANSWER foramen
a narrow, slit-like opening that passes through a bone - ANSWER fissure
Complete Solutions
The pectoral girdle consists of: - ANSWER the scapula and clavicle, and the pelvic girdle
consists of the os coxae.
You are a biomedical researcher who is interested in designing a drug to increase bone density.
You have decided you can take one of two approaches: (1) design a drug that stimulates bone
to be built faster, or (2) design a drug that prevents bone from breaking down. To begin this
process, you need to study the cells that would likely respond to either drug 1 or drug 2. What
cells are these? - ANSWER osteoblasts and osteoclasts
What process must stop in order for the epiphyseal plate to close? (That is, which layer of the
plate must stop its development first?) - ANSWER Hyaline cartilage will stop growing
meaning the lengthwise growth of the bone will stop. The epiphyseal plate will continue to
fill in with bone until there is no more cartilage left.
A forensic anthropologist identifies a bone as a left femur with epiphyses that are detached
from the diaphysis. Does this bone belong to a juvenile or an adult? Justify your answer. -
ANSWER This bone would belong to a juvenile and that is because there is still growth that
would have been happening with that bone. A big marker also is that juvenile bones are the
only ones with an epiphyses and once in full "adult" form that goes away.
Why might astronauts, who spend only a few days in outer space under microgravity (reduced
gravity), experience a significant loss in bone density? - ANSWER * Gravity increases
mechanical loading on bones, which promotes bone growth. Specifically, gravity increases
osteoblast activity, thereby increasing bone deposition. Astronauts experience decreased
mechanical loading due to reduced gravity. This decreases osteoblast activity, whereas
osteoclast activity remains relatively constant. The result is a decrease in bone density.
, Vitamin D promotes increased dietary calcium and phosphorus absorption in the small
intestine. Describe why doctors may recommend vitamin D supplements to patients diagnosed
with osteoporosis (weak/brittle bones). - ANSWER Vitamin D as well as Calcium are normally
given to patients because they both help to maintain bone health. Now by themselves they will
not stimulate any new bone growth.
List at least 6 bones that are found in the axial skeleton. - ANSWER hyoid bone, palatine bones,
lacrimal bones, malleus, mandible, temporal bones
All ribs articulate with the - ANSWER thoracic
The sella turcica is a feature of which bone? - ANSWER sphenoid bone
smooth, grooved, pulley-like process - ANSWER trochlea
small, flat, shallow, articulating surface - ANSWER facet
large, smooth, and round projection - ANSWER condyle
prominent, rounded epiphysis of a bone - ANSWER head
What is/are bony features that function as attachment points for tendons and ligaments? -
ANSWER process
tuberosity
a round hole that passes through a bone - ANSWER foramen
a narrow, slit-like opening that passes through a bone - ANSWER fissure
