PORTAGE LEARNING BIOL 251 HUMAN
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I: MODULE 2
EXAM GUIDE
This comprehensive multiple-choice exam review provides an in-
depth study resource for mastering cellular anatomy, membrane
transport, histology, and the integumentary system. Each
question features italicized correct answers paired with detailed,
bolded rationales specifically structured to align with Portage
Learning’s rigorous assessment standards. It serves as an ideal
tool for students navigating LockDown Browser requirements who
need to build rapid recall of high-yield physiological definitions,
tissue classifications, and skin layer functions.
1. Which organelle is responsible for ATP
production via aerobic cellular respiration?
A) Ribosome
B) Lysosome
C) Mitochondrion
D) Golgi apparatus
Answer: C) Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria are known as the
powerhouses of the cell because they
convert chemical energy from nutrients into
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through
cellular respiration.
2. What type of epithelial tissue lines the urinary
bladder and allows for stretching?
, A) Simple squamous
B) Transitional
C) Pseudostratified columnar
D) Stratified cuboidal
Answer: B) Transitional
Rationale: Transitional epithelium is
specialized to change shape, stretching from
a cuboidal appearance to a flattened
squamous look as the bladder fills with
urine.
3. Which movement process requires the
expenditure of cellular energy (ATP)?
A) Simple diffusion
B) Facilitated diffusion
C) Osmosis
D) Active transport
Answer: D) Active transport
Rationale: Active transport moves
substances against their concentration
gradient (from low to high concentration),
which requires energy input from ATP.
4. The hydrophobic tail of a phospholipid molecule
is composed of which of the following?
A) Phosphate group
B) Fatty acids
, C) Glycerol
D) Amino acids
Answer: B) Fatty acids
Rationale: Phospholipids are amphipathic;
they have a hydrophilic (water-loving)
phosphate head and hydrophobic (water-
fearing) fatty acid tails.
5. Which layer of the epidermis is only found in
thick skin, such as the palms and soles?
A) Stratum basale
B) Stratum corneum
C) Stratum lucidum
D) Stratum spinosum
Answer: C) Stratum lucidum
Rationale: The stratum lucidum is a thin,
clear layer of dead keratinocytes found
exclusively in the thick skin of the palms,
fingertips, and soles of the feet.
6. Which cell junction type forms an impermeable
barrier preventing molecules from passing
between adjacent cells?
A) Tight junctions
B) Desmosomes
C) Gap junctions
D) Hemidesmosomes
, Answer: A) Tight junctions
Rationale: Tight junctions encircle epithelial
cells near their apical surface, fusing the
plasma membranes together to seal off the
intercellular space.
7. During which phase of mitosis do sister
chromatids separate and move toward opposite
poles of the cell?
A) Prophase
B) Metaphase
C) Anaphase
D) Telophase
Answer: C) Anaphase
Rationale: Anaphase begins abruptly as the
centromeres split and the spindle fibres pull
the separated sister chromatids to opposite
ends of the cell.
8. What is the primary function of rough
endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
A) Lipid synthesis
B) Protein synthesis and modification
C) Detoxification of drugs
D) Calcium storage
Answer: B) Protein synthesis and modification
Rationale: The rough endoplasmic reticulum
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I: MODULE 2
EXAM GUIDE
This comprehensive multiple-choice exam review provides an in-
depth study resource for mastering cellular anatomy, membrane
transport, histology, and the integumentary system. Each
question features italicized correct answers paired with detailed,
bolded rationales specifically structured to align with Portage
Learning’s rigorous assessment standards. It serves as an ideal
tool for students navigating LockDown Browser requirements who
need to build rapid recall of high-yield physiological definitions,
tissue classifications, and skin layer functions.
1. Which organelle is responsible for ATP
production via aerobic cellular respiration?
A) Ribosome
B) Lysosome
C) Mitochondrion
D) Golgi apparatus
Answer: C) Mitochondrion
Rationale: Mitochondria are known as the
powerhouses of the cell because they
convert chemical energy from nutrients into
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through
cellular respiration.
2. What type of epithelial tissue lines the urinary
bladder and allows for stretching?
, A) Simple squamous
B) Transitional
C) Pseudostratified columnar
D) Stratified cuboidal
Answer: B) Transitional
Rationale: Transitional epithelium is
specialized to change shape, stretching from
a cuboidal appearance to a flattened
squamous look as the bladder fills with
urine.
3. Which movement process requires the
expenditure of cellular energy (ATP)?
A) Simple diffusion
B) Facilitated diffusion
C) Osmosis
D) Active transport
Answer: D) Active transport
Rationale: Active transport moves
substances against their concentration
gradient (from low to high concentration),
which requires energy input from ATP.
4. The hydrophobic tail of a phospholipid molecule
is composed of which of the following?
A) Phosphate group
B) Fatty acids
, C) Glycerol
D) Amino acids
Answer: B) Fatty acids
Rationale: Phospholipids are amphipathic;
they have a hydrophilic (water-loving)
phosphate head and hydrophobic (water-
fearing) fatty acid tails.
5. Which layer of the epidermis is only found in
thick skin, such as the palms and soles?
A) Stratum basale
B) Stratum corneum
C) Stratum lucidum
D) Stratum spinosum
Answer: C) Stratum lucidum
Rationale: The stratum lucidum is a thin,
clear layer of dead keratinocytes found
exclusively in the thick skin of the palms,
fingertips, and soles of the feet.
6. Which cell junction type forms an impermeable
barrier preventing molecules from passing
between adjacent cells?
A) Tight junctions
B) Desmosomes
C) Gap junctions
D) Hemidesmosomes
, Answer: A) Tight junctions
Rationale: Tight junctions encircle epithelial
cells near their apical surface, fusing the
plasma membranes together to seal off the
intercellular space.
7. During which phase of mitosis do sister
chromatids separate and move toward opposite
poles of the cell?
A) Prophase
B) Metaphase
C) Anaphase
D) Telophase
Answer: C) Anaphase
Rationale: Anaphase begins abruptly as the
centromeres split and the spindle fibres pull
the separated sister chromatids to opposite
ends of the cell.
8. What is the primary function of rough
endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
A) Lipid synthesis
B) Protein synthesis and modification
C) Detoxification of drugs
D) Calcium storage
Answer: B) Protein synthesis and modification
Rationale: The rough endoplasmic reticulum
