WCU PHYS 261 Final Exam 2026/2027 |
Complete Exam with Real Questions, Correct
Answers & Rationales | Graded A+
Section 1: Cellular Physiology & Membrane Transport
Question 1
Which organelle is responsible for ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Ribosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Lysosome
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mitochondria are the "powerhouses" of the cell, producing ATP through the
electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation .
Question 2
Which transport process requires a carrier protein but does NOT require direct ATP
hydrolysis?
A. Primary active transport
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Simple diffusion
D. Endocytosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facilitated diffusion uses carrier or channel proteins to move substances
down their concentration gradient without direct ATP use .
Question 3
The sodium-potassium pump (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase) transports:
A. 2 Na⁺ out, 3 K⁺ in
B. 3 Na⁺ out, 2 K⁺ in
C. 1 Na⁺ out, 1 K⁺ in
D. 3 Na⁺ in, 2 K⁺ out
pg. 1
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pump maintains the resting membrane potential by exporting 3
sodium ions and importing 2 potassium ions per ATP hydrolyzed .
Question 4
If a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the cell will:
A. Swell and possibly burst
B. Shrink (crenate)
C. Remain unchanged
D. Burst due to water influx
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell by osmosis, causing
the cell to shrink (crenate) .
Question 5
Nucleic acids are polymers of units called:
A. Ribose
B. Bases
C. Fatty acids
D. Amino acids
E. Nucleotides
Correct Answer: E
Rationale: Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are polymers of nucleotides. Each nucleotide
consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base .
Question 6
Cell membranes are said to be:
A. Actively permeable
B. Impermeable
C. Freely permeable
D. Selectively permeable
E. None of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cell membranes are selectively permeable, meaning they allow some
substances to pass through while restricting others based on size, charge, and lipid
solubility .
pg. 2
, Question 7
Physiology is defined as:
A. The study of the structure of living organisms
B. Normal functioning of a living organism and its components
C. The study of disease processes
D. The study of chemical reactions in cells
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Physiology is the study of the normal functioning of a living organism and
its components, including chemical and physical processes .
Question 8
Homeostasis is best defined as:
A. The study of body structures
B. Maintaining a stable internal environment
C. The process of energy production
D. The breakdown of nutrients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis is the process of maintaining a stable internal environment
despite external changes .
Question 9
The absolute refractory period of a neuron:
A. Allows summation of action potentials
B. Prevents re-excitation and ensures unidirectional propagation
C. Increases firing frequency
D. Occurs during hyperpolarization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The absolute refractory period prevents re-excitation and ensures
unidirectional propagation of action potentials .
Question 10
Saltatory conduction occurs in:
A. Unmyelinated axons
B. Myelinated axons, where action potentials "jump" between Nodes of Ranvier
pg. 3
Complete Exam with Real Questions, Correct
Answers & Rationales | Graded A+
Section 1: Cellular Physiology & Membrane Transport
Question 1
Which organelle is responsible for ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation?
A. Ribosome
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondrion
D. Lysosome
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mitochondria are the "powerhouses" of the cell, producing ATP through the
electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation .
Question 2
Which transport process requires a carrier protein but does NOT require direct ATP
hydrolysis?
A. Primary active transport
B. Facilitated diffusion
C. Simple diffusion
D. Endocytosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facilitated diffusion uses carrier or channel proteins to move substances
down their concentration gradient without direct ATP use .
Question 3
The sodium-potassium pump (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase) transports:
A. 2 Na⁺ out, 3 K⁺ in
B. 3 Na⁺ out, 2 K⁺ in
C. 1 Na⁺ out, 1 K⁺ in
D. 3 Na⁺ in, 2 K⁺ out
pg. 1
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pump maintains the resting membrane potential by exporting 3
sodium ions and importing 2 potassium ions per ATP hydrolyzed .
Question 4
If a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the cell will:
A. Swell and possibly burst
B. Shrink (crenate)
C. Remain unchanged
D. Burst due to water influx
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell by osmosis, causing
the cell to shrink (crenate) .
Question 5
Nucleic acids are polymers of units called:
A. Ribose
B. Bases
C. Fatty acids
D. Amino acids
E. Nucleotides
Correct Answer: E
Rationale: Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are polymers of nucleotides. Each nucleotide
consists of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base .
Question 6
Cell membranes are said to be:
A. Actively permeable
B. Impermeable
C. Freely permeable
D. Selectively permeable
E. None of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cell membranes are selectively permeable, meaning they allow some
substances to pass through while restricting others based on size, charge, and lipid
solubility .
pg. 2
, Question 7
Physiology is defined as:
A. The study of the structure of living organisms
B. Normal functioning of a living organism and its components
C. The study of disease processes
D. The study of chemical reactions in cells
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Physiology is the study of the normal functioning of a living organism and
its components, including chemical and physical processes .
Question 8
Homeostasis is best defined as:
A. The study of body structures
B. Maintaining a stable internal environment
C. The process of energy production
D. The breakdown of nutrients
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis is the process of maintaining a stable internal environment
despite external changes .
Question 9
The absolute refractory period of a neuron:
A. Allows summation of action potentials
B. Prevents re-excitation and ensures unidirectional propagation
C. Increases firing frequency
D. Occurs during hyperpolarization
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The absolute refractory period prevents re-excitation and ensures
unidirectional propagation of action potentials .
Question 10
Saltatory conduction occurs in:
A. Unmyelinated axons
B. Myelinated axons, where action potentials "jump" between Nodes of Ranvier
pg. 3
