Strayer University SCI 220 Final Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Anatomy
& Physiology I Q&A | Anatomy
1. The study of the body's internal and external structures and the
relationships between them is called:
A) Physiology
B) Histology
C) Anatomy
D) Cytology
Correct Answer: Anatomy
Rationale: Anatomy is the scientific study of the body's structures and their
relationships to one another. Physiology is the study of the function of those
body parts. Histology is the study of tissues, and cytology is the study of
cells.
2. Which of the following best describes the anatomical position?
A) Body lying face down, arms at sides
B) Body standing erect, feet parallel, palms facing forward
C) Body sitting upright with legs extended
D) Body facing sideways with arms raised
Correct Answer: Body standing erect, feet parallel, palms facing forward
Rationale: The anatomical position is standardized: the body is erect, feet
slightly apart, palms facing forward, and thumbs pointing away from the
body. This position provides a consistent reference point for all directional
terms.
,3. A sagittal plane divides the body into:
A) Superior and inferior portions
B) Right and left portions
C) Anterior and posterior portions
D) Medial and lateral portions
Correct Answer: Right and left portions
Rationale: A sagittal plane runs vertically and divides the body into right and
left parts. If it runs directly down the midline, it is called a midsagittal plane.
A frontal (coronal) plane divides anterior and posterior portions, and a
transverse plane divides superior and inferior portions.
4. From smallest to largest, the levels of organization of the body are:
A) Chemical, organelle, cellular, tissue, organ, system, organism
B) Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
C) Cellular, chemical, tissue, organ, system, organism
D) Tissue, cellular, organ, chemical, system, organism
Correct Answer: Chemical, organelle, cellular, tissue, 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 chemical level is the simplest, consisting of atoms and
molecules.
5. The smallest structural and functional unit of life is the:
,A) Tissue
B) Organ
C) Molecule
D) Cell
Correct Answer: Cell
Rationale: The cell is the basic building block of all living things. Tissues are
groups of similar cells, organs are groups of tissues, and molecules are at the
chemical level of organization.
6. Which of the following is NOT a function of the skeletal system?
A) Protection of vital organs
B) Production of hormones
C) Support for body structure
D) Blood cell formation
Correct Answer: Production of hormones
Rationale: The skeletal system provides structure, protects organs, and
produces blood cells in the bone marrow. Hormone production is primarily a
function of the endocrine system.
7. Which type of muscle is involuntary and found in the walls of hollow
organs?
A) Skeletal muscle
B) Cardiac muscle
C) Smooth muscle
, D) Striated muscle
Correct Answer: Smooth muscle
Rationale: Smooth muscle is involuntary and lines organs like the intestines
and blood vessels. Skeletal muscle is voluntary, and cardiac muscle is
involuntary but found only in the heart.
8. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
A) Axon
B) Dendrite
C) Soma (cell body)
D) Myelin sheath
Correct Answer: Dendrite
Rationale: Dendrites are specialized to receive messages from other neurons.
The axon transmits signals away from the cell body, and the myelin sheath
insulates the axon.
9. A plane through the body that divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions is called:
A) Sagittal
B) Coronal (frontal)
C) Transverse
D) Midsagittal
Correct Answer: Coronal (frontal)
& Physiology I Q&A | Anatomy
1. The study of the body's internal and external structures and the
relationships between them is called:
A) Physiology
B) Histology
C) Anatomy
D) Cytology
Correct Answer: Anatomy
Rationale: Anatomy is the scientific study of the body's structures and their
relationships to one another. Physiology is the study of the function of those
body parts. Histology is the study of tissues, and cytology is the study of
cells.
2. Which of the following best describes the anatomical position?
A) Body lying face down, arms at sides
B) Body standing erect, feet parallel, palms facing forward
C) Body sitting upright with legs extended
D) Body facing sideways with arms raised
Correct Answer: Body standing erect, feet parallel, palms facing forward
Rationale: The anatomical position is standardized: the body is erect, feet
slightly apart, palms facing forward, and thumbs pointing away from the
body. This position provides a consistent reference point for all directional
terms.
,3. A sagittal plane divides the body into:
A) Superior and inferior portions
B) Right and left portions
C) Anterior and posterior portions
D) Medial and lateral portions
Correct Answer: Right and left portions
Rationale: A sagittal plane runs vertically and divides the body into right and
left parts. If it runs directly down the midline, it is called a midsagittal plane.
A frontal (coronal) plane divides anterior and posterior portions, and a
transverse plane divides superior and inferior portions.
4. From smallest to largest, the levels of organization of the body are:
A) Chemical, organelle, cellular, tissue, organ, system, organism
B) Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
C) Cellular, chemical, tissue, organ, system, organism
D) Tissue, cellular, organ, chemical, system, organism
Correct Answer: Chemical, organelle, cellular, tissue, 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 chemical level is the simplest, consisting of atoms and
molecules.
5. The smallest structural and functional unit of life is the:
,A) Tissue
B) Organ
C) Molecule
D) Cell
Correct Answer: Cell
Rationale: The cell is the basic building block of all living things. Tissues are
groups of similar cells, organs are groups of tissues, and molecules are at the
chemical level of organization.
6. Which of the following is NOT a function of the skeletal system?
A) Protection of vital organs
B) Production of hormones
C) Support for body structure
D) Blood cell formation
Correct Answer: Production of hormones
Rationale: The skeletal system provides structure, protects organs, and
produces blood cells in the bone marrow. Hormone production is primarily a
function of the endocrine system.
7. Which type of muscle is involuntary and found in the walls of hollow
organs?
A) Skeletal muscle
B) Cardiac muscle
C) Smooth muscle
, D) Striated muscle
Correct Answer: Smooth muscle
Rationale: Smooth muscle is involuntary and lines organs like the intestines
and blood vessels. Skeletal muscle is voluntary, and cardiac muscle is
involuntary but found only in the heart.
8. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
A) Axon
B) Dendrite
C) Soma (cell body)
D) Myelin sheath
Correct Answer: Dendrite
Rationale: Dendrites are specialized to receive messages from other neurons.
The axon transmits signals away from the cell body, and the myelin sheath
insulates the axon.
9. A plane through the body that divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions is called:
A) Sagittal
B) Coronal (frontal)
C) Transverse
D) Midsagittal
Correct Answer: Coronal (frontal)
