Strayer University SCI 220 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Anatomy &
Physiology I Q&A | Anatomy
1. Which of the following best defines anatomy?
A) The study of how body parts function
B) The study of the structure and internal makeup of body parts
C) The study of chemical processes within living organisms
D) The study of interactions between matter and energy
Correct Answer: The study of the structure and internal makeup of body parts
Rationale: Anatomy is the scientific study of the body's structures, including
their form, composition, and relationships to one another. Physiology, in
contrast, is the study of how those structures function. Chemistry studies
matter and its properties, while physics studies matter and energy
interactions.
2. Physiology is best described as the study of:
A) The structure of body parts
B) The function of body parts and how they work
C) The classification of living organisms
D) The chemical composition of cells
Correct Answer: The function of body parts and how they work
Rationale: Physiology is the study of the functions and activities of living
organisms and their parts, focusing on how structures perform their jobs.
Anatomy is the study of structure. The principle of complementarity states
that structure determines function.
,3. Which of the following represents the correct hierarchical organization of
the human body, from simplest to most complex?
A) Cellular, chemical, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
B) Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
C) Tissue, chemical, cellular, organ, organ system, organism
D) Chemical, tissue, cellular, organ, organ system, organism
Correct Answer: Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
Rationale: The levels of structural organization progress from chemical
(atoms and molecules) to cellular (cells), tissue (groups of similar cells),
organ (two or more tissue types), organ system (organs working together),
and organism (the entire living being).
4. The smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism is the:
A) Atom
B) Molecule
C) Cell
D) Tissue
Correct Answer: Cell
Rationale: The cell is the smallest independently functioning unit of a living
organism. All living structures in the human body are composed of cells, and
almost all physiological functions are performed in or initiated by cells.
Atoms and molecules are chemical-level components, while tissues are
groups of cells.
5. A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function is
called a(n):
,A) Organ
B) Organ system
C) Tissue
D) Organism
Correct Answer: Tissue
Rationale: A tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to perform a
specific function. Organs are composed of two or more tissue types, and
organ systems are groups of organs that work together to meet physiological
needs.
6. Which of the following is the correct anatomical position?
A) Standing erect, face forward, arms at sides, palms facing posteriorly
B) Standing erect, face forward, arms at sides, palms facing anteriorly
C) Lying down, face up, arms at sides, palms facing anteriorly
D) Standing erect, face forward, arms crossed, palms facing anteriorly
Correct Answer: Standing erect, face forward, arms at sides, palms facing
anteriorly
Rationale: In the standard anatomical position, the body is standing erect,
face forward, arms at sides with palms facing forward (anteriorly) and
thumbs pointing away from the body. This position provides a consistent
reference for directional terms and anatomical descriptions.
7. A directional term meaning "toward the front of the body" is:
A) Posterior
B) Dorsal
, C) Anterior
D) Superior
Correct Answer: Anterior
Rationale: Anterior (or ventral) means toward the front of the body. Posterior
(or dorsal) means toward the back. Superior means toward the head or upper
part, and inferior means toward the feet or lower part.
8. The knee is ________ to the ankle.
A) Distal
B) Proximal
C) Superior
D) Inferior
Correct Answer: Proximal
Rationale: Proximal means closer to the trunk of the body or the point of
origin, while distal means farther from the trunk. The knee is closer to the
trunk than the ankle, making it proximal to the ankle.
9. The sagittal plane divides the body into:
A) Superior and inferior portions
B) Anterior and posterior portions
C) Left and right portions
D) Proximal and distal portions
Correct Answer: Left and right portions
Physiology I Q&A | Anatomy
1. Which of the following best defines anatomy?
A) The study of how body parts function
B) The study of the structure and internal makeup of body parts
C) The study of chemical processes within living organisms
D) The study of interactions between matter and energy
Correct Answer: The study of the structure and internal makeup of body parts
Rationale: Anatomy is the scientific study of the body's structures, including
their form, composition, and relationships to one another. Physiology, in
contrast, is the study of how those structures function. Chemistry studies
matter and its properties, while physics studies matter and energy
interactions.
2. Physiology is best described as the study of:
A) The structure of body parts
B) The function of body parts and how they work
C) The classification of living organisms
D) The chemical composition of cells
Correct Answer: The function of body parts and how they work
Rationale: Physiology is the study of the functions and activities of living
organisms and their parts, focusing on how structures perform their jobs.
Anatomy is the study of structure. The principle of complementarity states
that structure determines function.
,3. Which of the following represents the correct hierarchical organization of
the human body, from simplest to most complex?
A) Cellular, chemical, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
B) Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
C) Tissue, chemical, cellular, organ, organ system, organism
D) Chemical, tissue, cellular, organ, organ system, organism
Correct Answer: Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
Rationale: The levels of structural organization progress from chemical
(atoms and molecules) to cellular (cells), tissue (groups of similar cells),
organ (two or more tissue types), organ system (organs working together),
and organism (the entire living being).
4. The smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism is the:
A) Atom
B) Molecule
C) Cell
D) Tissue
Correct Answer: Cell
Rationale: The cell is the smallest independently functioning unit of a living
organism. All living structures in the human body are composed of cells, and
almost all physiological functions are performed in or initiated by cells.
Atoms and molecules are chemical-level components, while tissues are
groups of cells.
5. A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function is
called a(n):
,A) Organ
B) Organ system
C) Tissue
D) Organism
Correct Answer: Tissue
Rationale: A tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to perform a
specific function. Organs are composed of two or more tissue types, and
organ systems are groups of organs that work together to meet physiological
needs.
6. Which of the following is the correct anatomical position?
A) Standing erect, face forward, arms at sides, palms facing posteriorly
B) Standing erect, face forward, arms at sides, palms facing anteriorly
C) Lying down, face up, arms at sides, palms facing anteriorly
D) Standing erect, face forward, arms crossed, palms facing anteriorly
Correct Answer: Standing erect, face forward, arms at sides, palms facing
anteriorly
Rationale: In the standard anatomical position, the body is standing erect,
face forward, arms at sides with palms facing forward (anteriorly) and
thumbs pointing away from the body. This position provides a consistent
reference for directional terms and anatomical descriptions.
7. A directional term meaning "toward the front of the body" is:
A) Posterior
B) Dorsal
, C) Anterior
D) Superior
Correct Answer: Anterior
Rationale: Anterior (or ventral) means toward the front of the body. Posterior
(or dorsal) means toward the back. Superior means toward the head or upper
part, and inferior means toward the feet or lower part.
8. The knee is ________ to the ankle.
A) Distal
B) Proximal
C) Superior
D) Inferior
Correct Answer: Proximal
Rationale: Proximal means closer to the trunk of the body or the point of
origin, while distal means farther from the trunk. The knee is closer to the
trunk than the ankle, making it proximal to the ankle.
9. The sagittal plane divides the body into:
A) Superior and inferior portions
B) Anterior and posterior portions
C) Left and right portions
D) Proximal and distal portions
Correct Answer: Left and right portions
