BIOL 251 Module & Lab 3: Human Anatomy &
Physiology I | 90+ Questions and Answers |
Portage Learning 2026
Part 1: Epithelial & Connective Tissues
1. Which type of epithelial tissue lines the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs to allow
for rapid gas exchange?
A) Stratified squamous
B) Simple squamous
C) Simple cuboidal
D) Transitional
Explanation: Simple squamous epithelium is a single layer of flat cells, making it the
thinnest possible barrier for diffusion and filtration.
2. Which tissue type has the unique ability to stretch and is found lining the
urinary bladder?
A) Pseudostratified columnar
B) Transitional epithelium
C) Stratified cuboidal
D) Areolar connective
Explanation: Transitional epithelium changes shape (from cuboidal to flattened) as the
bladder fills, preventing the organ from tearing under pressure.
3. "Exocrine" glands differ from "Endocrine" glands because they:
A) Secrete hormones directly into the blood.
B) Secrete products into ducts that lead to an internal or external surface.
C) Are only found in the brain.
D) Do not have a blood supply.
, Explanation: Exocrine glands (like sweat or salivary glands) use ducts. Endocrine
glands are ductless.
4. Which fiber type provides the highest "tensile strength" (resistance to being
pulled apart) in connective tissue?
A) Elastic fibers
B) Reticular fibers
C) Collagen fibers
D) Myofilaments
Explanation: Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and acts like "steel
cables" within tissues.
5. Which connective tissue is known as "universal packing tissue" and holds
organs in place?
A) Adipose
B) Areolar
C) Dense irregular
D) Hyaline cartilage
Explanation: Areolar tissue is a loose connective tissue that cushions and protects
body organs; it is the "glue" of the body.
6. What is the primary cell type found in cartilage?
A) Osteocyte
B) Fibroblast
C) Chondrocyte
D) Adipocyte
Explanation: Chondrocytes sit in small cavities called lacunae within the cartilage
matrix.
7. Which type of muscle tissue is striated, branched, and contains intercalated
discs?
A) Skeletal
, B) Smooth
C) Cardiac
D) Voluntary
Explanation: Intercalated discs are specialized junctions that allow cardiac muscle cells
to contract in a coordinated wave.
8. The "Matrix" of connective tissue is composed of which two elements?
A) Cells and fibers
B) Ground substance and fibers
C) Cells and ground substance
D) Water and collagen
Explanation: The Extracellular Matrix (ECM) is the non-living material that surrounds
the living cells of connective tissue.
9. Which epithelial tissue appears to have multiple layers due to varying cell
heights, but is actually a single layer?
A) Pseudostratified columnar
B) Stratified squamous
C) Simple columnar
D) Simple cuboidal
Explanation: Pseudostratified means "falsely layered." It often contains cilia and is
found in the respiratory tract.
10. Adipose tissue is a specialized form of connective tissue that primarily stores:
A) Calcium
B) Lipids (Fats)
C) Proteins
D) Water
Explanation: Adipose tissue provides insulation, fuel storage, and mechanical
protection.
Physiology I | 90+ Questions and Answers |
Portage Learning 2026
Part 1: Epithelial & Connective Tissues
1. Which type of epithelial tissue lines the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs to allow
for rapid gas exchange?
A) Stratified squamous
B) Simple squamous
C) Simple cuboidal
D) Transitional
Explanation: Simple squamous epithelium is a single layer of flat cells, making it the
thinnest possible barrier for diffusion and filtration.
2. Which tissue type has the unique ability to stretch and is found lining the
urinary bladder?
A) Pseudostratified columnar
B) Transitional epithelium
C) Stratified cuboidal
D) Areolar connective
Explanation: Transitional epithelium changes shape (from cuboidal to flattened) as the
bladder fills, preventing the organ from tearing under pressure.
3. "Exocrine" glands differ from "Endocrine" glands because they:
A) Secrete hormones directly into the blood.
B) Secrete products into ducts that lead to an internal or external surface.
C) Are only found in the brain.
D) Do not have a blood supply.
, Explanation: Exocrine glands (like sweat or salivary glands) use ducts. Endocrine
glands are ductless.
4. Which fiber type provides the highest "tensile strength" (resistance to being
pulled apart) in connective tissue?
A) Elastic fibers
B) Reticular fibers
C) Collagen fibers
D) Myofilaments
Explanation: Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and acts like "steel
cables" within tissues.
5. Which connective tissue is known as "universal packing tissue" and holds
organs in place?
A) Adipose
B) Areolar
C) Dense irregular
D) Hyaline cartilage
Explanation: Areolar tissue is a loose connective tissue that cushions and protects
body organs; it is the "glue" of the body.
6. What is the primary cell type found in cartilage?
A) Osteocyte
B) Fibroblast
C) Chondrocyte
D) Adipocyte
Explanation: Chondrocytes sit in small cavities called lacunae within the cartilage
matrix.
7. Which type of muscle tissue is striated, branched, and contains intercalated
discs?
A) Skeletal
, B) Smooth
C) Cardiac
D) Voluntary
Explanation: Intercalated discs are specialized junctions that allow cardiac muscle cells
to contract in a coordinated wave.
8. The "Matrix" of connective tissue is composed of which two elements?
A) Cells and fibers
B) Ground substance and fibers
C) Cells and ground substance
D) Water and collagen
Explanation: The Extracellular Matrix (ECM) is the non-living material that surrounds
the living cells of connective tissue.
9. Which epithelial tissue appears to have multiple layers due to varying cell
heights, but is actually a single layer?
A) Pseudostratified columnar
B) Stratified squamous
C) Simple columnar
D) Simple cuboidal
Explanation: Pseudostratified means "falsely layered." It often contains cilia and is
found in the respiratory tract.
10. Adipose tissue is a specialized form of connective tissue that primarily stores:
A) Calcium
B) Lipids (Fats)
C) Proteins
D) Water
Explanation: Adipose tissue provides insulation, fuel storage, and mechanical
protection.