,BIOD 152 Module 2 Exam | Essential Human Anatomy &
Physiology II | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following is the most superficial layer of the meninges?
A) Pia mater
B) Arachnoid mater
C) Dura mater
D) Subarachnoid space
Correct Answer: Dura mater
Rationale: The dura mater is the tough, fibrous outermost layer of the meninges. It is the most
superficial, lying just beneath the skull. The arachnoid mater is the middle layer, and the pia mater is the
delicate inner layer that is tightly attached to the brain.
2. This layer of the meninges is tightly attached to the brain.
A) Dura mater
B) Arachnoid mater
C) Pia mater
D) Subdural space
Correct Answer: Pia mater
Rationale: The pia mater is the innermost layer of the meninges and is highly vascularized. It adheres
directly to the surface of the brain and spinal cord, following every convolution. The dura and arachnoid
are separated from the brain by spaces.
3. The ______ fissure separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
A) Transverse
B) Lateral
C) Median longitudinal
,D) Central
Correct Answer: Median longitudinal
Rationale: The median longitudinal fissure is a deep groove that divides the cerebrum into the right and
left cerebral hemispheres. The transverse fissure separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum.
4. The ______ fissure separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum.
A) Median longitudinal
B) Transverse
C) Lateral
D) Central
Correct Answer: Transverse
Rationale: The transverse fissure is a horizontal cleft that separates the cerebral hemispheres from the
cerebellum. The median longitudinal fissure separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
5. Describe the primary function of the brain ventricles.
A) They produce cerebrospinal fluid and provide a pathway for its circulation
B) They store neurotransmitters for synaptic transmission
C) They connect the brain to the spinal cord
D) They regulate blood flow to the brain
Correct Answer: They produce cerebrospinal fluid and provide a pathway for its circulation
Rationale: The ventricles are four interconnected cavities within the brain that produce cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF). The CSF circulates through the ventricles and into the subarachnoid space, providing
cushioning and buoyancy for the brain.
, 6. What is the primary purpose of the blood-brain barrier (BBB)?
A) To allow all substances in the blood to freely enter the brain tissue
B) To prevent most particles from entering the CNS tissue, maintaining a stable chemical environment
C) To increase blood flow to active brain regions
D) To produce cerebrospinal fluid
Correct Answer: To prevent most particles from entering the CNS tissue, maintaining a stable chemical
environment
Rationale: The BBB is a diffusion barrier that prevents most substances in the blood from entering the
brain and spinal cord tissue. It is maintained by astrocytes and the relatively impermeable capillaries,
ensuring a stable chemical environment for the nervous system.
7. All of the following are functions of the hypothalamus EXCEPT:
A) Regulates sleep
B) Links the nervous and endocrine systems
C) Filters out unimportant sensory information
D) Regulates water balance
Correct Answer: Filters out unimportant sensory information
Rationale: The hypothalamus regulates many homeostatic functions, including sleep, the link between
the nervous and endocrine systems, and water balance. Filtering out unimportant sensory information is
a function of the thalamus, not the hypothalamus.
8. What is the largest portion of the brain?
A) Cerebellum
B) Cerebrum
C) Brainstem
D) Diencephalon
Physiology II | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Which of the following is the most superficial layer of the meninges?
A) Pia mater
B) Arachnoid mater
C) Dura mater
D) Subarachnoid space
Correct Answer: Dura mater
Rationale: The dura mater is the tough, fibrous outermost layer of the meninges. It is the most
superficial, lying just beneath the skull. The arachnoid mater is the middle layer, and the pia mater is the
delicate inner layer that is tightly attached to the brain.
2. This layer of the meninges is tightly attached to the brain.
A) Dura mater
B) Arachnoid mater
C) Pia mater
D) Subdural space
Correct Answer: Pia mater
Rationale: The pia mater is the innermost layer of the meninges and is highly vascularized. It adheres
directly to the surface of the brain and spinal cord, following every convolution. The dura and arachnoid
are separated from the brain by spaces.
3. The ______ fissure separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
A) Transverse
B) Lateral
C) Median longitudinal
,D) Central
Correct Answer: Median longitudinal
Rationale: The median longitudinal fissure is a deep groove that divides the cerebrum into the right and
left cerebral hemispheres. The transverse fissure separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum.
4. The ______ fissure separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum.
A) Median longitudinal
B) Transverse
C) Lateral
D) Central
Correct Answer: Transverse
Rationale: The transverse fissure is a horizontal cleft that separates the cerebral hemispheres from the
cerebellum. The median longitudinal fissure separates the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
5. Describe the primary function of the brain ventricles.
A) They produce cerebrospinal fluid and provide a pathway for its circulation
B) They store neurotransmitters for synaptic transmission
C) They connect the brain to the spinal cord
D) They regulate blood flow to the brain
Correct Answer: They produce cerebrospinal fluid and provide a pathway for its circulation
Rationale: The ventricles are four interconnected cavities within the brain that produce cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF). The CSF circulates through the ventricles and into the subarachnoid space, providing
cushioning and buoyancy for the brain.
, 6. What is the primary purpose of the blood-brain barrier (BBB)?
A) To allow all substances in the blood to freely enter the brain tissue
B) To prevent most particles from entering the CNS tissue, maintaining a stable chemical environment
C) To increase blood flow to active brain regions
D) To produce cerebrospinal fluid
Correct Answer: To prevent most particles from entering the CNS tissue, maintaining a stable chemical
environment
Rationale: The BBB is a diffusion barrier that prevents most substances in the blood from entering the
brain and spinal cord tissue. It is maintained by astrocytes and the relatively impermeable capillaries,
ensuring a stable chemical environment for the nervous system.
7. All of the following are functions of the hypothalamus EXCEPT:
A) Regulates sleep
B) Links the nervous and endocrine systems
C) Filters out unimportant sensory information
D) Regulates water balance
Correct Answer: Filters out unimportant sensory information
Rationale: The hypothalamus regulates many homeostatic functions, including sleep, the link between
the nervous and endocrine systems, and water balance. Filtering out unimportant sensory information is
a function of the thalamus, not the hypothalamus.
8. What is the largest portion of the brain?
A) Cerebellum
B) Cerebrum
C) Brainstem
D) Diencephalon
