BIOL 252 / BIOD 152 Anatomy and
Physiology II Review of Modules 1-7
Questions and Correct Verified Answers
Already Graded A+/ Portage BIOD 152 /
BIOL 252
MODULE 1: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
1. Which part of a neuron conducts nerve impulses toward the cell body?
• A. Axon
• B. Dendrites
• C. Synaptic terminals
• D. Myelin sheath
Rationale: Dendrites receive electrical signals from other neurons and conduct these
impulses toward the neuron's cell body . Axons conduct impulses away from the cell
body.
2. A neuron going to the bicep of the forearm is part of the:
• A. Central nervous system only
• B. Peripheral nervous system only
• C. Central nervous system and autonomic nervous system
• D. Somatic nervous system
Rationale: Neurons controlling skeletal muscles, such as the bicep, are part of the
somatic nervous system, a division of the PNS responsible for voluntary movement . The
autonomic system controls involuntary functions.
3. The neuron pictured below is best described as:
• A. Multipolar
, • B. Bipolar
• C. Unipolar
• D. Anaxonic
Rationale: Bipolar neurons have two processes: one dendrite and one axon. They are
often found in sensory pathways such as the retina and olfactory mucosa .
4. True or False: Neurons do not physically touch one another.
• A. True
• B. False
Rationale: Neurons are separated by a synaptic cleft, a small gap through which
neurotransmitters pass to transmit signals chemically rather than through direct physical
contact .
5. Describe the function and release of neurotransmitters.
Answer: Neurotransmitters are chemicals stored within secretory vesicles at the end of
axon terminals. When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it triggers calcium
influx that causes the vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane, releasing
neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These chemical messengers bind to receptors
on the postsynaptic neuron or muscle fiber to continue or modulate the nerve impulse .
Rationale: This process is central to chemical synaptic transmission, allowing
communication between neurons or between neurons and muscles. Calcium entry is the
trigger for vesicle fusion and exocytosis .
6. An afferent neuron carries information:
• A. From the central nervous system to the periphery
• B. From the periphery to the central nervous system
• C. Between two neurons in the CNS
• D. From the autonomic nervous system to muscles
Rationale: Afferent neurons carry sensory information from sensory receptors toward
the CNS . Efferent neurons carry signals from the CNS to the periphery.
7. The flexor (withdrawal) reflex is a(n):
• A. Monosynaptic reflex
• B. Voluntary response
• C. Polysynaptic reflex involving interneurons
, • D. Autonomic reflex only
Rationale: The withdrawal reflex uses multiple synapses: sensory neuron to interneuron
to motor neuron. It also involves reciprocal inhibition via interneurons and is involuntary
and protective .
8. A patient's thumb was severed in a cooking accident and then reattached during
surgery. Would the patient be expected to regrow axons in their thumb? Why or
why not?
• A. No, because axons cannot regenerate in the PNS
• B. Yes, because axons in the PNS can regenerate through axonal
regeneration promoted by Schwann cells
• C. No, because neurons do not regenerate in adults
• D. Yes, because CNS neurons regenerate easily
Rationale: Unlike CNS neurons, PNS neurons have the capacity to regrow damaged
axons, facilitated by Schwann cells that form regeneration tubes to guide the regrowing
axons .
MODULE 2: THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
9. Which of the following correctly describes the difference between endocrine
and exocrine glands?
• A. Endocrine glands secrete hormones through ducts; exocrine glands are
ductless
• B. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the
bloodstream; exocrine glands use ducts to secrete substances onto epithelial
surfaces
• C. Endocrine glands are found only in the brain; exocrine glands are found
throughout the body
• D. Endocrine glands secrete enzymes; exocrine glands secrete hormones
Rationale: Endocrine glands are ductless and release hormones directly into the
bloodstream for transport to target cells. Exocrine glands have ducts and secrete
substances onto epithelial surfaces .
10. Which best defines a hormone?
, • A. A nerve signal sent directly to a target cell
• B. A chemical messenger secreted into the blood, acting on distant target
cells
• C. A digestive enzyme
• D. An electrical impulse
Rationale: Hormones are chemical messengers released from endocrine glands into the
bloodstream, where they travel to distant target cells to exert their effects .
11. Steroid hormones are derived from:
• A. Amino acids
• B. Cholesterol
• C. Carbohydrates
• D. Nucleic acids
Rationale: Steroid hormones are synthesized from cholesterol. Cortisol, aldosterone,
estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are all steroid hormones .
12. Which of the following is an example of a steroid hormone?
• A. Insulin
• B. Epinephrine
• C. Cortisol
• D. Oxytocin
Rationale: Cortisol is a steroid hormone derived from cholesterol. Insulin and oxytocin
are peptide hormones, and epinephrine is an amine hormone .
13. How do steroid hormones primarily exert their cellular effects?
• A. Binding to cell surface receptors
• B. Activating second messenger systems
• C. Diffusing through the membrane to alter gene transcription
• D. Opening ion channels
Rationale: Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble and pass through the plasma membrane,
bind to intracellular receptors, and directly activate gene transcription. This mechanism
is slower but longer-lasting than peptide hormone effects .
14. Which of the following best describes how water-soluble (peptide) hormones
exert their effects?
Physiology II Review of Modules 1-7
Questions and Correct Verified Answers
Already Graded A+/ Portage BIOD 152 /
BIOL 252
MODULE 1: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
1. Which part of a neuron conducts nerve impulses toward the cell body?
• A. Axon
• B. Dendrites
• C. Synaptic terminals
• D. Myelin sheath
Rationale: Dendrites receive electrical signals from other neurons and conduct these
impulses toward the neuron's cell body . Axons conduct impulses away from the cell
body.
2. A neuron going to the bicep of the forearm is part of the:
• A. Central nervous system only
• B. Peripheral nervous system only
• C. Central nervous system and autonomic nervous system
• D. Somatic nervous system
Rationale: Neurons controlling skeletal muscles, such as the bicep, are part of the
somatic nervous system, a division of the PNS responsible for voluntary movement . The
autonomic system controls involuntary functions.
3. The neuron pictured below is best described as:
• A. Multipolar
, • B. Bipolar
• C. Unipolar
• D. Anaxonic
Rationale: Bipolar neurons have two processes: one dendrite and one axon. They are
often found in sensory pathways such as the retina and olfactory mucosa .
4. True or False: Neurons do not physically touch one another.
• A. True
• B. False
Rationale: Neurons are separated by a synaptic cleft, a small gap through which
neurotransmitters pass to transmit signals chemically rather than through direct physical
contact .
5. Describe the function and release of neurotransmitters.
Answer: Neurotransmitters are chemicals stored within secretory vesicles at the end of
axon terminals. When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it triggers calcium
influx that causes the vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane, releasing
neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. These chemical messengers bind to receptors
on the postsynaptic neuron or muscle fiber to continue or modulate the nerve impulse .
Rationale: This process is central to chemical synaptic transmission, allowing
communication between neurons or between neurons and muscles. Calcium entry is the
trigger for vesicle fusion and exocytosis .
6. An afferent neuron carries information:
• A. From the central nervous system to the periphery
• B. From the periphery to the central nervous system
• C. Between two neurons in the CNS
• D. From the autonomic nervous system to muscles
Rationale: Afferent neurons carry sensory information from sensory receptors toward
the CNS . Efferent neurons carry signals from the CNS to the periphery.
7. The flexor (withdrawal) reflex is a(n):
• A. Monosynaptic reflex
• B. Voluntary response
• C. Polysynaptic reflex involving interneurons
, • D. Autonomic reflex only
Rationale: The withdrawal reflex uses multiple synapses: sensory neuron to interneuron
to motor neuron. It also involves reciprocal inhibition via interneurons and is involuntary
and protective .
8. A patient's thumb was severed in a cooking accident and then reattached during
surgery. Would the patient be expected to regrow axons in their thumb? Why or
why not?
• A. No, because axons cannot regenerate in the PNS
• B. Yes, because axons in the PNS can regenerate through axonal
regeneration promoted by Schwann cells
• C. No, because neurons do not regenerate in adults
• D. Yes, because CNS neurons regenerate easily
Rationale: Unlike CNS neurons, PNS neurons have the capacity to regrow damaged
axons, facilitated by Schwann cells that form regeneration tubes to guide the regrowing
axons .
MODULE 2: THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
9. Which of the following correctly describes the difference between endocrine
and exocrine glands?
• A. Endocrine glands secrete hormones through ducts; exocrine glands are
ductless
• B. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the
bloodstream; exocrine glands use ducts to secrete substances onto epithelial
surfaces
• C. Endocrine glands are found only in the brain; exocrine glands are found
throughout the body
• D. Endocrine glands secrete enzymes; exocrine glands secrete hormones
Rationale: Endocrine glands are ductless and release hormones directly into the
bloodstream for transport to target cells. Exocrine glands have ducts and secrete
substances onto epithelial surfaces .
10. Which best defines a hormone?
, • A. A nerve signal sent directly to a target cell
• B. A chemical messenger secreted into the blood, acting on distant target
cells
• C. A digestive enzyme
• D. An electrical impulse
Rationale: Hormones are chemical messengers released from endocrine glands into the
bloodstream, where they travel to distant target cells to exert their effects .
11. Steroid hormones are derived from:
• A. Amino acids
• B. Cholesterol
• C. Carbohydrates
• D. Nucleic acids
Rationale: Steroid hormones are synthesized from cholesterol. Cortisol, aldosterone,
estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are all steroid hormones .
12. Which of the following is an example of a steroid hormone?
• A. Insulin
• B. Epinephrine
• C. Cortisol
• D. Oxytocin
Rationale: Cortisol is a steroid hormone derived from cholesterol. Insulin and oxytocin
are peptide hormones, and epinephrine is an amine hormone .
13. How do steroid hormones primarily exert their cellular effects?
• A. Binding to cell surface receptors
• B. Activating second messenger systems
• C. Diffusing through the membrane to alter gene transcription
• D. Opening ion channels
Rationale: Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble and pass through the plasma membrane,
bind to intracellular receptors, and directly activate gene transcription. This mechanism
is slower but longer-lasting than peptide hormone effects .
14. Which of the following best describes how water-soluble (peptide) hormones
exert their effects?
