BIOL 121 HUMAN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
1 COMPLETE COURSE REVIEW
60 Original Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed
Rationales
Anatomy, Physiology, Homeostasis & Body Systems | 2026/2027 Study Edition |
Australian Catholic University
Note: These are original exam-style practice questions
designed around the subject areas named in your request.
They are not official Australian Catholic University exam
questions or a reproduced ACU answer key.
Key Study Domains
Anatomical terminology, planes, cavities and organisation
Cell structure and cellular transport
Tissues and epithelial organisation
Integumentary system
Skeletal system and joints
Muscular system
1
, Nervous system
Endocrine regulation
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Urinary system
Homeostasis and negative feedback
Integration of body systems and clinical reasoning
QUESTION 1
A student is asked to describe the position of the heart relative to the sternum. Which
anatomical relationship is correct?
A) The heart is posterior to the sternum.
B) The heart is superior to the sternum.
C) The heart is lateral to the sternum only.
D) The heart is superficial to the sternum.
2
, Answer: A
Rationale: The heart lies within the thoracic cavity posterior to the sternum.
“Posterior” describes a structure located toward the back of the body. The heart is
not superior to the sternum, and although portions of the heart extend laterally,
“lateral” alone does not describe its primary relationship to the sternum. The heart is
also deep, rather than superficial, to the sternum.
QUESTION 2
Which anatomical plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A) Sagittal
B) Transverse
C) Frontal
D) Oblique
Answer: C
Rationale: The frontal, or coronal, plane divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions. A sagittal plane divides the body into right and left portions, while a
transverse plane divides it into superior and inferior portions. An oblique plane
passes through the body at an angle and does not represent the standard anterior-
posterior division.
QUESTION 3
A patient develops inflammation within the pleural cavity. Which organ is most
directly associated with this cavity?
A) Heart
B) Lungs
C) Liver
D) Stomach
Answer: B
Rationale: The pleural cavities surround the lungs. The heart is located within the
pericardial cavity, while the liver and stomach are primarily associated with the
abdominal cavity. Understanding body cavities helps determine which organs may be
affected by a pathological process.
QUESTION 4
3
1 COMPLETE COURSE REVIEW
60 Original Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed
Rationales
Anatomy, Physiology, Homeostasis & Body Systems | 2026/2027 Study Edition |
Australian Catholic University
Note: These are original exam-style practice questions
designed around the subject areas named in your request.
They are not official Australian Catholic University exam
questions or a reproduced ACU answer key.
Key Study Domains
Anatomical terminology, planes, cavities and organisation
Cell structure and cellular transport
Tissues and epithelial organisation
Integumentary system
Skeletal system and joints
Muscular system
1
, Nervous system
Endocrine regulation
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Urinary system
Homeostasis and negative feedback
Integration of body systems and clinical reasoning
QUESTION 1
A student is asked to describe the position of the heart relative to the sternum. Which
anatomical relationship is correct?
A) The heart is posterior to the sternum.
B) The heart is superior to the sternum.
C) The heart is lateral to the sternum only.
D) The heart is superficial to the sternum.
2
, Answer: A
Rationale: The heart lies within the thoracic cavity posterior to the sternum.
“Posterior” describes a structure located toward the back of the body. The heart is
not superior to the sternum, and although portions of the heart extend laterally,
“lateral” alone does not describe its primary relationship to the sternum. The heart is
also deep, rather than superficial, to the sternum.
QUESTION 2
Which anatomical plane divides the body into anterior and posterior portions?
A) Sagittal
B) Transverse
C) Frontal
D) Oblique
Answer: C
Rationale: The frontal, or coronal, plane divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions. A sagittal plane divides the body into right and left portions, while a
transverse plane divides it into superior and inferior portions. An oblique plane
passes through the body at an angle and does not represent the standard anterior-
posterior division.
QUESTION 3
A patient develops inflammation within the pleural cavity. Which organ is most
directly associated with this cavity?
A) Heart
B) Lungs
C) Liver
D) Stomach
Answer: B
Rationale: The pleural cavities surround the lungs. The heart is located within the
pericardial cavity, while the liver and stomach are primarily associated with the
abdominal cavity. Understanding body cavities helps determine which organs may be
affected by a pathological process.
QUESTION 4
3
