1|Page
BIOSCI E109 FINAL EXAM COMPLETE 200+ QUESTIONS
WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What affects the rate of diffusion? -
ANSWERS✔ concentration gradient, temperature,
molecule size
2. How are lipophilic molecules delivered into cells? -
ANSWERS✔ They need a messenger to carry them through
because they aren't soluble.
3. Explain what happens to a cell in hypertonic solution -
ANSWERS✔ The cell has less solute concentration, so
water moves out of the cell to the surrounding solution,
which causes the cell to shrivel.
4. Explain what happens to a cell in hypotonic solution -
ANSWERS✔ Water moves from the solution into the cell
due to the cell's higher solute concentration. The cell
becomes lysed (bursts).
5. Explain what is meant by synergism - ANSWERS✔ When
two drugs, etc., are administered simultaneously and
significantly amplify each other's effects.
6. What is an additive effect? - ANSWERS✔ When two drugs,
etc., add to each other's effects.
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7. Explain the repolarization of an action potential -
ANSWERS✔ Na+ channels close and K+ channels open,
allowing K+ to leave the cell, making the inside more
negative.
8. Explain the depolarization of an action potential -
ANSWERS✔ Once a threshold is reached, Na+ channels
open, allowing Na+ to enter the cell, which makes the
inside more positive.
9. Explain the hyperpolarization in an action potential -
ANSWERS✔ K+ channels close, but K+ continues to leak
out of the cell, making the inside even more negative.
10. What is the refractory period of Na+? -
ANSWERS✔ Na+ channels cannot be stimulated or excited,
which prevents constant muscle contraction.
11. How are action potentials propagated? -
ANSWERS✔ From the axon hillock to the axon terminals.
12. The membrane potential of a neuron is closest to
what, and why? - ANSWERS✔ Closest to the equilibrium
potential of K+ because K+ is the dominant ion inside the
cell.
13. What is TRH responsible for? - ANSWERS✔ Producing
TSH.
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14. What would be a good assumption if a patient has
very high TSH levels? - ANSWERS✔ The hypothalamus is
hypersecreting TRH and/or the negative feedback loop for
TSH isn't functioning properly.
15. What is active transport? - ANSWERS✔ When ATP or
energy is needed to move molecules (e.g., going against a
concentration gradient).
16. What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible
for? - ANSWERS✔ Fight or flight.
17. What is the parasympathetic nervous system
responsible for? - ANSWERS✔ Rest and digest.
18. What are the parasympathetic and sympathetic
nervous systems to one another? -
ANSWERS✔ Antagonistic branches.
19. What does the sympathetic nervous system release?
- ANSWERS✔ Norepinephrine and epinephrine.
20. What does the parasympathetic nervous system
release? - ANSWERS✔ Acetylcholine.
21. What happens to graded potentials as they travel
toward the axon hillock? - ANSWERS✔ They decrease in
energy/amplitude.
BIOSCI E109 FINAL EXAM COMPLETE 200+ QUESTIONS
WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What affects the rate of diffusion? -
ANSWERS✔ concentration gradient, temperature,
molecule size
2. How are lipophilic molecules delivered into cells? -
ANSWERS✔ They need a messenger to carry them through
because they aren't soluble.
3. Explain what happens to a cell in hypertonic solution -
ANSWERS✔ The cell has less solute concentration, so
water moves out of the cell to the surrounding solution,
which causes the cell to shrivel.
4. Explain what happens to a cell in hypotonic solution -
ANSWERS✔ Water moves from the solution into the cell
due to the cell's higher solute concentration. The cell
becomes lysed (bursts).
5. Explain what is meant by synergism - ANSWERS✔ When
two drugs, etc., are administered simultaneously and
significantly amplify each other's effects.
6. What is an additive effect? - ANSWERS✔ When two drugs,
etc., add to each other's effects.
,2|Page
7. Explain the repolarization of an action potential -
ANSWERS✔ Na+ channels close and K+ channels open,
allowing K+ to leave the cell, making the inside more
negative.
8. Explain the depolarization of an action potential -
ANSWERS✔ Once a threshold is reached, Na+ channels
open, allowing Na+ to enter the cell, which makes the
inside more positive.
9. Explain the hyperpolarization in an action potential -
ANSWERS✔ K+ channels close, but K+ continues to leak
out of the cell, making the inside even more negative.
10. What is the refractory period of Na+? -
ANSWERS✔ Na+ channels cannot be stimulated or excited,
which prevents constant muscle contraction.
11. How are action potentials propagated? -
ANSWERS✔ From the axon hillock to the axon terminals.
12. The membrane potential of a neuron is closest to
what, and why? - ANSWERS✔ Closest to the equilibrium
potential of K+ because K+ is the dominant ion inside the
cell.
13. What is TRH responsible for? - ANSWERS✔ Producing
TSH.
, 3|Page
14. What would be a good assumption if a patient has
very high TSH levels? - ANSWERS✔ The hypothalamus is
hypersecreting TRH and/or the negative feedback loop for
TSH isn't functioning properly.
15. What is active transport? - ANSWERS✔ When ATP or
energy is needed to move molecules (e.g., going against a
concentration gradient).
16. What is the sympathetic nervous system responsible
for? - ANSWERS✔ Fight or flight.
17. What is the parasympathetic nervous system
responsible for? - ANSWERS✔ Rest and digest.
18. What are the parasympathetic and sympathetic
nervous systems to one another? -
ANSWERS✔ Antagonistic branches.
19. What does the sympathetic nervous system release?
- ANSWERS✔ Norepinephrine and epinephrine.
20. What does the parasympathetic nervous system
release? - ANSWERS✔ Acetylcholine.
21. What happens to graded potentials as they travel
toward the axon hillock? - ANSWERS✔ They decrease in
energy/amplitude.
