WGU D312 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Which part of the plasma membrane binds a specific molecule outside
the cell? Answer: Receptor
A receptor is a type of recognition protein that can selectively bind a
specific molecule outside the cell, and this binding induces a chemical
reaction within the cell.
◉ What does it mean if an anatomical structure is caudal? Answer: If an
anatomical structure is described as caudal, it means it is located towards
the tail or lower part of the body. In humans, this typically refers to a
position closer to the feet or the lower end of the spine.
For example, the legs are caudal to the arms, meaning they are situated
lower on the body compared to the arms.
◉ What is the role of an effector in a negative feedback system?
Answer: In a negative feedback system, the effector plays a crucial role
in maintaining homeostasis by carrying out the response to a stimulus.
Here's how it works:
Detection: A receptor detects a change in a physiological variable (e.g.,
temperature, blood sugar levels).
,Signal Processing: The control center (often the brain or endocrine
glands) processes this information and determines the appropriate
response.
Action: The effector enacts the response to counteract the initial change
and bring the variable back to its set point.
For example, if your body temperature drops, the effector (such as
muscles shivering) generates heat to raise your body temperature back to
normal.
◉ What is the correct order of the epidermis layer arranged from deep to
superficial? Answer: 1. Stratum basale (or stratum germinativum)
2. Stratum spinosum
3. Stratum granulosum
4. Stratum lucidum (only present in thick skin, such as the palms and
soles)
5. Stratum corneum
◉ Which skin layer contains Langerhans cells? Answer: Langerhans
cells are primarily found in the stratum spinosum layer of the epidermis.
These cells play a key role in the skin's immune defense by acting as
antigen-presenting cells, which help detect and fight pathogens.
◉ Which degree of burn affects the underlying bones and muscles?
Answer: Fourth-degree burns are the most severe and affect not only all
layers of the skin but also the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons.
,These burns often appear charred or white and are typically painless
because the nerve endings are destroyed.
◉ Which part of the long bone has an epiphyseal line? Answer: The
epiphyseal line is located at the junction between the diaphysis (the shaft
or central part of the bone) and the epiphysis (the end part of the bone)
in long bones. This line is a remnant of the epiphyseal plate (growth
plate) and indicates that the bone has completed its growth in length.
◉ Which suture is present between the left and right parietal lobes?
Answer: The suture present between the left and right parietal lobes is
the sagittal suture. This suture runs along the midline of the skull,
connecting the two parietal bones.
◉ Which two bones form the pectoral girdle? Answer: The pectoral
girdle, also known as the shoulder girdle, is formed by two bones: the
clavicle (collarbone) and the scapula (shoulder blade). These bones work
together to connect the upper limb to the axial skeleton and provide a
wide range of motion for the shoulder and arm.
◉ What are the periodic invaginations in sarcolemma called? Answer:
The periodic invaginations in the sarcolemma are called T-tubules
(transverse tubules). These structures play a crucial role in conducting
electrical impulses from the surface of the muscle fiber to its interior,
ensuring that the muscle contracts efficiently and uniformly.
, ◉ Which medially placed group of muscles is part of the erector spinae?
Answer: The spinalis muscles are the most medially placed group within
the erector spinae muscle group. These muscles are located closest to the
spine and are responsible for extending and laterally flexing the cervical
and thoracic regions of the spine.
◉ Which thigh muscle is situated below the adductor longus? Answer:
The muscle situated below the adductor longus is the adductor magnus.
This muscle is a large, triangular muscle located in the medial
compartment of the thigh and plays a significant role in adducting and
medially rotating the thigh
◉ What is the role of oligodendrocytes? Answer: Oligodendrocytes play
a crucial role in the central nervous system (CNS) by producing the
myelin sheath that insulates axons. This myelination is essential for the
efficient transmission of electrical impulses along nerve fibers, which
helps in the rapid and coordinated communication between neurons.
Additionally, oligodendrocytes provide metabolic support to neurons
and contribute to maintaining a stable microenvironment within the
CNS.
◉ Which membrane channel is able to open due to a physical distortion?
Answer: The membrane channel that opens due to physical distortion is
the mechanically gated channel. These channels respond to mechanical
changes such as stretch, pressure, or vibration and are crucial in sensory
processes like touch and hearing.
ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Which part of the plasma membrane binds a specific molecule outside
the cell? Answer: Receptor
A receptor is a type of recognition protein that can selectively bind a
specific molecule outside the cell, and this binding induces a chemical
reaction within the cell.
◉ What does it mean if an anatomical structure is caudal? Answer: If an
anatomical structure is described as caudal, it means it is located towards
the tail or lower part of the body. In humans, this typically refers to a
position closer to the feet or the lower end of the spine.
For example, the legs are caudal to the arms, meaning they are situated
lower on the body compared to the arms.
◉ What is the role of an effector in a negative feedback system?
Answer: In a negative feedback system, the effector plays a crucial role
in maintaining homeostasis by carrying out the response to a stimulus.
Here's how it works:
Detection: A receptor detects a change in a physiological variable (e.g.,
temperature, blood sugar levels).
,Signal Processing: The control center (often the brain or endocrine
glands) processes this information and determines the appropriate
response.
Action: The effector enacts the response to counteract the initial change
and bring the variable back to its set point.
For example, if your body temperature drops, the effector (such as
muscles shivering) generates heat to raise your body temperature back to
normal.
◉ What is the correct order of the epidermis layer arranged from deep to
superficial? Answer: 1. Stratum basale (or stratum germinativum)
2. Stratum spinosum
3. Stratum granulosum
4. Stratum lucidum (only present in thick skin, such as the palms and
soles)
5. Stratum corneum
◉ Which skin layer contains Langerhans cells? Answer: Langerhans
cells are primarily found in the stratum spinosum layer of the epidermis.
These cells play a key role in the skin's immune defense by acting as
antigen-presenting cells, which help detect and fight pathogens.
◉ Which degree of burn affects the underlying bones and muscles?
Answer: Fourth-degree burns are the most severe and affect not only all
layers of the skin but also the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons.
,These burns often appear charred or white and are typically painless
because the nerve endings are destroyed.
◉ Which part of the long bone has an epiphyseal line? Answer: The
epiphyseal line is located at the junction between the diaphysis (the shaft
or central part of the bone) and the epiphysis (the end part of the bone)
in long bones. This line is a remnant of the epiphyseal plate (growth
plate) and indicates that the bone has completed its growth in length.
◉ Which suture is present between the left and right parietal lobes?
Answer: The suture present between the left and right parietal lobes is
the sagittal suture. This suture runs along the midline of the skull,
connecting the two parietal bones.
◉ Which two bones form the pectoral girdle? Answer: The pectoral
girdle, also known as the shoulder girdle, is formed by two bones: the
clavicle (collarbone) and the scapula (shoulder blade). These bones work
together to connect the upper limb to the axial skeleton and provide a
wide range of motion for the shoulder and arm.
◉ What are the periodic invaginations in sarcolemma called? Answer:
The periodic invaginations in the sarcolemma are called T-tubules
(transverse tubules). These structures play a crucial role in conducting
electrical impulses from the surface of the muscle fiber to its interior,
ensuring that the muscle contracts efficiently and uniformly.
, ◉ Which medially placed group of muscles is part of the erector spinae?
Answer: The spinalis muscles are the most medially placed group within
the erector spinae muscle group. These muscles are located closest to the
spine and are responsible for extending and laterally flexing the cervical
and thoracic regions of the spine.
◉ Which thigh muscle is situated below the adductor longus? Answer:
The muscle situated below the adductor longus is the adductor magnus.
This muscle is a large, triangular muscle located in the medial
compartment of the thigh and plays a significant role in adducting and
medially rotating the thigh
◉ What is the role of oligodendrocytes? Answer: Oligodendrocytes play
a crucial role in the central nervous system (CNS) by producing the
myelin sheath that insulates axons. This myelination is essential for the
efficient transmission of electrical impulses along nerve fibers, which
helps in the rapid and coordinated communication between neurons.
Additionally, oligodendrocytes provide metabolic support to neurons
and contribute to maintaining a stable microenvironment within the
CNS.
◉ Which membrane channel is able to open due to a physical distortion?
Answer: The membrane channel that opens due to physical distortion is
the mechanically gated channel. These channels respond to mechanical
changes such as stretch, pressure, or vibration and are crucial in sensory
processes like touch and hearing.
