APHY 101 Final Exam Review 2026/2027 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Practice Questions
What are the characteristics of life? Movement (internal or gross); Responsiveness (reaction to internal or external
change); Growth (increase in size without change in shape); Reproduction (new
organisms or new cells); Respiration (use of oxygen; removal of CO2);
Digestion (breakdown of food); Absorption (movement of substances through
membranes and into fluids); Circulation (movement within body fluids);
Assimilation (changing nutrients into chemically different forms); Excretion
(removal of metabolic wastes)
Define homeostasis Body's maintenance of a stable environment
What is a homeostatic mechanism? the body maintains homeostasis through a number of self-regulating control
systems; examples are regulating body temperature and pressure sensitive
receptors to regulate body pressure
Define matter Anything that takes up space and has mass (weight). It is composed of
elements.
Define element fundamental substance composed of chemically identical atoms
Define atoms smallest particle of an element; basic unit of matter
What is the structure of an atom? An atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, with electrons
in
orbit around the nucleus.
Atomic nucleus the nucleus contains protons and neutrons
Proton subatomic particle that has a positive charge
Neutron subatomic particle that has no charge
Electron subatomic particle that has a negative charge
Atomic number number or protons in nucleus
Atomic mass number of protons plus number of neutrons
, APHY 101 Final Exam Review 2026/2027 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Practice Questions
What are covalent bonds? Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons to become stable with
filled
outer shells
What are ionic bonds? 2 oppositely charged atoms form this bond when electrons are transferred
from one atom to another atom
What are hydrogen bonds? Weak attraction between positive end of one polar molecule and negative end
of another polar molecule; formed between water molecules
Define ion When atoms gain or lose electrons, they become ions.
Define synthesis reaction Two or more atoms or molecules are joined together
Define decomposition reaction Larger molecules are broken down into smaller ones
Define exchange reaction Parts of molecules trade places
Define reactant The starting materials of the reaction - the atoms, ions, or molecules
Define product Substances formed at the end of the chemical reaction
Define catalyst influence the rates of chemical reactions
What is an acid? Electrolytes that release hydrogen ions in water
What is a base? Electrolytes that release ions that combine with hydrogen ions in water
What is a salt? Acids and bases that react to form water and electrolytes
What is a pH scale? represents the concentration of hydrogen ions [H+] in solution
Neutral solution pH 7; indicates equal concentrations of H+and OH-
Acidic solution pH less than 7; indicates a greater concentration of H+
, APHY 101 Final Exam Review 2026/2027 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Practice Questions
Basic solution pH greater than 7; indicates a greater concentration of OH-
What is the difference between an organic molecule organic compounds have hydrogen and carbon; inorganic compounds do not
and an inorganic molecule?
What is dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis? Dehydration reactions link monomers together into polymers by releasing
water, and hydrolysis breaks polymers into monomers using a water molecule.
Monomers are just single unit molecules and polymers are chains of
monomers.
What are carbohydrates? Carbohydrates provide energy for cellular activities. These molecules contain
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
What are lipids? Primarily used to supply energy for cellular activity. Lipids are insoluble in water
and include fats, phospholipids, and steroids.
What are proteins? Provide structure; energy sources; chemical messengers
Play vital role in metabolism
bonded amino acids held together with peptide bonds
What are nucleic acids? Carry genes and control cell activities. Examples are RNA and DNA.
Fats (triglycerides) Used primarily for energy; most common lipid in the body
Can supply more energy than carbohydrates
Contain C, H, and O but less O than carbohydrates (C57H110O6)
Building blocks are 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids per molecule
Saturated and unsaturated
phospholipids major component of cell membranes; large amounts in nervous system
2 fatty acid molecules and a phosphate group bound to a glycerol molecule
steroids 4 connected rings of carbon atoms; widely distributed in body; component of
cell membrane; used to synthesize hormones; example includes cholesterol
Define amino acids building block of proteins
What are enzymes? large molecules that increase the rates of chemical reactions without
themselves undergoing any change
What are the characteristics of life? Movement (internal or gross); Responsiveness (reaction to internal or external
change); Growth (increase in size without change in shape); Reproduction (new
organisms or new cells); Respiration (use of oxygen; removal of CO2);
Digestion (breakdown of food); Absorption (movement of substances through
membranes and into fluids); Circulation (movement within body fluids);
Assimilation (changing nutrients into chemically different forms); Excretion
(removal of metabolic wastes)
Define homeostasis Body's maintenance of a stable environment
What is a homeostatic mechanism? the body maintains homeostasis through a number of self-regulating control
systems; examples are regulating body temperature and pressure sensitive
receptors to regulate body pressure
Define matter Anything that takes up space and has mass (weight). It is composed of
elements.
Define element fundamental substance composed of chemically identical atoms
Define atoms smallest particle of an element; basic unit of matter
What is the structure of an atom? An atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, with electrons
in
orbit around the nucleus.
Atomic nucleus the nucleus contains protons and neutrons
Proton subatomic particle that has a positive charge
Neutron subatomic particle that has no charge
Electron subatomic particle that has a negative charge
Atomic number number or protons in nucleus
Atomic mass number of protons plus number of neutrons
, APHY 101 Final Exam Review 2026/2027 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Practice Questions
What are covalent bonds? Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons to become stable with
filled
outer shells
What are ionic bonds? 2 oppositely charged atoms form this bond when electrons are transferred
from one atom to another atom
What are hydrogen bonds? Weak attraction between positive end of one polar molecule and negative end
of another polar molecule; formed between water molecules
Define ion When atoms gain or lose electrons, they become ions.
Define synthesis reaction Two or more atoms or molecules are joined together
Define decomposition reaction Larger molecules are broken down into smaller ones
Define exchange reaction Parts of molecules trade places
Define reactant The starting materials of the reaction - the atoms, ions, or molecules
Define product Substances formed at the end of the chemical reaction
Define catalyst influence the rates of chemical reactions
What is an acid? Electrolytes that release hydrogen ions in water
What is a base? Electrolytes that release ions that combine with hydrogen ions in water
What is a salt? Acids and bases that react to form water and electrolytes
What is a pH scale? represents the concentration of hydrogen ions [H+] in solution
Neutral solution pH 7; indicates equal concentrations of H+and OH-
Acidic solution pH less than 7; indicates a greater concentration of H+
, APHY 101 Final Exam Review 2026/2027 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Practice Questions
Basic solution pH greater than 7; indicates a greater concentration of OH-
What is the difference between an organic molecule organic compounds have hydrogen and carbon; inorganic compounds do not
and an inorganic molecule?
What is dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis? Dehydration reactions link monomers together into polymers by releasing
water, and hydrolysis breaks polymers into monomers using a water molecule.
Monomers are just single unit molecules and polymers are chains of
monomers.
What are carbohydrates? Carbohydrates provide energy for cellular activities. These molecules contain
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
What are lipids? Primarily used to supply energy for cellular activity. Lipids are insoluble in water
and include fats, phospholipids, and steroids.
What are proteins? Provide structure; energy sources; chemical messengers
Play vital role in metabolism
bonded amino acids held together with peptide bonds
What are nucleic acids? Carry genes and control cell activities. Examples are RNA and DNA.
Fats (triglycerides) Used primarily for energy; most common lipid in the body
Can supply more energy than carbohydrates
Contain C, H, and O but less O than carbohydrates (C57H110O6)
Building blocks are 1 glycerol and 3 fatty acids per molecule
Saturated and unsaturated
phospholipids major component of cell membranes; large amounts in nervous system
2 fatty acid molecules and a phosphate group bound to a glycerol molecule
steroids 4 connected rings of carbon atoms; widely distributed in body; component of
cell membrane; used to synthesize hormones; example includes cholesterol
Define amino acids building block of proteins
What are enzymes? large molecules that increase the rates of chemical reactions without
themselves undergoing any change
