,BIOL251/BIOL 251 Module 2 Exam | Human Anatomy &
Physiology I w/ Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027
(PDF)
**1. What is the definition of a tissue in the human body?**
A) A single cell that performs a specialized function
B) A group of cells that work together to perform one or more specialized functions
C) A collection of organs that work together to perform a function
D) The extracellular matrix that surrounds cells
Correct Answer: A group of cells that work together to perform one or more specialized functions
Rationale: A tissue is defined as a group of similar cells that work together to perform one or more
specific functions. Tissues are the second level of structural organization, lying between cells and organs.
The four primary tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.
**2. What is the study of the structure of tissues called?**
A) Cytology
B) Histology
C) Anatomy
D) Physiology
Correct Answer: Histology
Rationale: Histology is the microscopic study of the structure of tissues and the extracellular matrix.
Cytology is the study of cells, anatomy is the study of body structure, and physiology is the study of body
function. Understanding histology is fundamental to understanding how tissues are organized and
function.
**3. Which of the following is NOT one of the four main types of tissues found in the human body?**
A) Epithelial tissue
,B) Connective tissue
C) Skeletal tissue
D) Nervous tissue
Correct Answer: Skeletal tissue
Rationale: The four main types of tissues are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue. Skeletal
tissue is not a primary tissue type; bone is a type of connective tissue. Each tissue type has distinct
characteristics and functions in the body.
**4. Which characteristic of epithelial tissue refers to the presence of an apical and a basal surface?**
A) Avascularity
B) Polarity
C) Regeneration
D) Innervation
Correct Answer: Polarity
Rationale: Epithelial tissues exhibit polarity, meaning they have an apical (free) surface and a basal
(attached) surface. The apical surface faces the lumen or body cavity, while the basal surface attaches to
the basement membrane. This structural organization is essential for their protective and absorptive
functions.
**5. What does it mean that epithelial tissue is avascular?**
A) It contains many blood vessels
B) It contains no blood vessels
C) It contains only lymphatic vessels
D) It contains nerve endings only
Correct Answer: It contains no blood vessels
, Rationale: Epithelial tissue is avascular, meaning it lacks blood vessels. Nutrients and oxygen diffuse to
epithelial cells from the underlying connective tissue, which is highly vascularized. This is why epithelial
tissues are often thin and have a high regenerative capacity.
**6. Which of the following is a characteristic of connective tissue?**
A) It is avascular
B) It has a basement membrane
C) It has an abundant extracellular matrix
D) It lines body cavities
Correct Answer: It has an abundant extracellular matrix
Rationale: Connective tissue is characterized by having an abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) that
separates its cells. The ECM consists of protein fibers and ground substance. Epithelial tissue is avascular
and has a basement membrane. Epithelial tissue also lines body cavities, not connective tissue.
**7. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of:**
A) Cells and blood vessels
B) Protein fibers and ground substance
C) Only collagen fibers
D) Only elastic fibers
Correct Answer: Protein fibers and ground substance
Rationale: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of protein fibers (collagen, elastic, and reticular
fibers) and ground substance (a gel-like material of glycoproteins and proteoglycans). The ECM provides
structural support and helps regulate materials in the extracellular space.
**8. Which type of connective tissue fiber provides strength and flexibility?**
A) Elastic fibers
Physiology I w/ Lab | Portage Learning | Q & A | 2026/2027
(PDF)
**1. What is the definition of a tissue in the human body?**
A) A single cell that performs a specialized function
B) A group of cells that work together to perform one or more specialized functions
C) A collection of organs that work together to perform a function
D) The extracellular matrix that surrounds cells
Correct Answer: A group of cells that work together to perform one or more specialized functions
Rationale: A tissue is defined as a group of similar cells that work together to perform one or more
specific functions. Tissues are the second level of structural organization, lying between cells and organs.
The four primary tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.
**2. What is the study of the structure of tissues called?**
A) Cytology
B) Histology
C) Anatomy
D) Physiology
Correct Answer: Histology
Rationale: Histology is the microscopic study of the structure of tissues and the extracellular matrix.
Cytology is the study of cells, anatomy is the study of body structure, and physiology is the study of body
function. Understanding histology is fundamental to understanding how tissues are organized and
function.
**3. Which of the following is NOT one of the four main types of tissues found in the human body?**
A) Epithelial tissue
,B) Connective tissue
C) Skeletal tissue
D) Nervous tissue
Correct Answer: Skeletal tissue
Rationale: The four main types of tissues are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue. Skeletal
tissue is not a primary tissue type; bone is a type of connective tissue. Each tissue type has distinct
characteristics and functions in the body.
**4. Which characteristic of epithelial tissue refers to the presence of an apical and a basal surface?**
A) Avascularity
B) Polarity
C) Regeneration
D) Innervation
Correct Answer: Polarity
Rationale: Epithelial tissues exhibit polarity, meaning they have an apical (free) surface and a basal
(attached) surface. The apical surface faces the lumen or body cavity, while the basal surface attaches to
the basement membrane. This structural organization is essential for their protective and absorptive
functions.
**5. What does it mean that epithelial tissue is avascular?**
A) It contains many blood vessels
B) It contains no blood vessels
C) It contains only lymphatic vessels
D) It contains nerve endings only
Correct Answer: It contains no blood vessels
, Rationale: Epithelial tissue is avascular, meaning it lacks blood vessels. Nutrients and oxygen diffuse to
epithelial cells from the underlying connective tissue, which is highly vascularized. This is why epithelial
tissues are often thin and have a high regenerative capacity.
**6. Which of the following is a characteristic of connective tissue?**
A) It is avascular
B) It has a basement membrane
C) It has an abundant extracellular matrix
D) It lines body cavities
Correct Answer: It has an abundant extracellular matrix
Rationale: Connective tissue is characterized by having an abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) that
separates its cells. The ECM consists of protein fibers and ground substance. Epithelial tissue is avascular
and has a basement membrane. Epithelial tissue also lines body cavities, not connective tissue.
**7. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of:**
A) Cells and blood vessels
B) Protein fibers and ground substance
C) Only collagen fibers
D) Only elastic fibers
Correct Answer: Protein fibers and ground substance
Rationale: The extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of protein fibers (collagen, elastic, and reticular
fibers) and ground substance (a gel-like material of glycoproteins and proteoglycans). The ECM provides
structural support and helps regulate materials in the extracellular space.
**8. Which type of connective tissue fiber provides strength and flexibility?**
A) Elastic fibers
