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Portage Learning BIOL 251 A&P I – Original Practice Exam
Questions with Answers & Rationales
Module 1: Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology
1. Which level of organization is the most basic, consisting of
atoms and molecules?
A. Tissue
B. Cellular
C. Chemical
D. Organ
Answer: C
Rationale: The chemical level is the simplest, including
atoms and molecules. The hierarchy proceeds: chemical
→ cellular → tissue → organ → organ system → organism.
2. The study of body structure is called:
A. Physiology
B. Anatomy
C. Pathology
D. Histology
Answer: B
Rationale: Anatomy is the study of structure; physiology
is the study of function; histology is the study of tissues;
pathology is the study of disease.
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3. Which feedback mechanism amplifies a change in the
body?
A. Negative feedback
B. Positive feedback
C. Homeostatic feedback
D. Neutral feedback
Answer: B
Rationale: Positive feedback amplifies the original
stimulus (e.g., childbirth labor contractions, blood
clotting). Negative feedback opposes a change and
maintains stability.
4. A plane that divides the body into equal left and right
halves is called:
A. Frontal (coronal)
B. Sagittal
C. Midsagittal (median)
D. Transverse
Answer: C
Rationale: Midsagittal passes through the midline
dividing into equal halves. Sagittal is any plane dividing
left/right, not necessarily equal. Frontal divides
anterior/posterior; transverse divides superior/inferior.
5. The lungs are located in which body cavity?
A. Cranial
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B. Abdominopelvic
C. Thoracic
D. Spinal
Answer: C
Rationale: The thoracic cavity contains the lungs, heart,
and great vessels. The abdominopelvic cavity contains
digestive organs, kidneys, etc.
Module 2: Cells and Tissues
6. Which organelle is the site of ATP production?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Nucleus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Ribosome
Answer: C
Rationale: Mitochondria perform cellular respiration,
producing ATP. Ribosomes synthesize proteins; Golgi
modifies and packages; nucleus houses DNA.
7. Which transport process requires energy (ATP)?
A. Simple diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Facilitated diffusion
D. Active transport
Answer: D
Rationale: Active transport moves substances against
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their concentration gradient and requires ATP. Diffusion
and osmosis are passive; facilitated diffusion uses a
carrier but no ATP.
8. The movement of water across a selectively permeable
membrane from high to low water concentration is called:
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Filtration
D. Exocytosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Osmosis is specifically the diffusion of water
across a membrane. Diffusion is movement of solutes;
filtration is pressure-driven; exocytosis is vesicular
transport out of cell.
9. Which type of epithelium is best suited for diffusion and
filtration?
A. Stratified squamous
B. Simple squamous
C. Pseudostratified columnar
D. Transitional
Answer: B
Rationale: Simple squamous is a single thin layer ideal for
diffusion (e.g., alveoli, capillaries). Stratified squamous
Portage Learning BIOL 251 A&P I – Original Practice Exam
Questions with Answers & Rationales
Module 1: Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology
1. Which level of organization is the most basic, consisting of
atoms and molecules?
A. Tissue
B. Cellular
C. Chemical
D. Organ
Answer: C
Rationale: The chemical level is the simplest, including
atoms and molecules. The hierarchy proceeds: chemical
→ cellular → tissue → organ → organ system → organism.
2. The study of body structure is called:
A. Physiology
B. Anatomy
C. Pathology
D. Histology
Answer: B
Rationale: Anatomy is the study of structure; physiology
is the study of function; histology is the study of tissues;
pathology is the study of disease.
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
3. Which feedback mechanism amplifies a change in the
body?
A. Negative feedback
B. Positive feedback
C. Homeostatic feedback
D. Neutral feedback
Answer: B
Rationale: Positive feedback amplifies the original
stimulus (e.g., childbirth labor contractions, blood
clotting). Negative feedback opposes a change and
maintains stability.
4. A plane that divides the body into equal left and right
halves is called:
A. Frontal (coronal)
B. Sagittal
C. Midsagittal (median)
D. Transverse
Answer: C
Rationale: Midsagittal passes through the midline
dividing into equal halves. Sagittal is any plane dividing
left/right, not necessarily equal. Frontal divides
anterior/posterior; transverse divides superior/inferior.
5. The lungs are located in which body cavity?
A. Cranial
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
B. Abdominopelvic
C. Thoracic
D. Spinal
Answer: C
Rationale: The thoracic cavity contains the lungs, heart,
and great vessels. The abdominopelvic cavity contains
digestive organs, kidneys, etc.
Module 2: Cells and Tissues
6. Which organelle is the site of ATP production?
A. Golgi apparatus
B. Nucleus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Ribosome
Answer: C
Rationale: Mitochondria perform cellular respiration,
producing ATP. Ribosomes synthesize proteins; Golgi
modifies and packages; nucleus houses DNA.
7. Which transport process requires energy (ATP)?
A. Simple diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Facilitated diffusion
D. Active transport
Answer: D
Rationale: Active transport moves substances against
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
their concentration gradient and requires ATP. Diffusion
and osmosis are passive; facilitated diffusion uses a
carrier but no ATP.
8. The movement of water across a selectively permeable
membrane from high to low water concentration is called:
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Filtration
D. Exocytosis
Answer: B
Rationale: Osmosis is specifically the diffusion of water
across a membrane. Diffusion is movement of solutes;
filtration is pressure-driven; exocytosis is vesicular
transport out of cell.
9. Which type of epithelium is best suited for diffusion and
filtration?
A. Stratified squamous
B. Simple squamous
C. Pseudostratified columnar
D. Transitional
Answer: B
Rationale: Simple squamous is a single thin layer ideal for
diffusion (e.g., alveoli, capillaries). Stratified squamous
