D203 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology (ANATOMY &
PHYSIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE ANSWERS) 2025-2026 Western Governors
University
Biology of Human Body:
• Anatomy – Body’s Structure
• Physiology – Body’s Functioning
Section 1: Body Movement
Skeletal System (206
Bones)
• Two Divisions
o Axial Skeleton [center or axis of the body]– forms the head and trunk of
your body and includes the skull, vertebral column (spine), and rib cage.
o Appendicular skeleton [bones of the extremities] – represents the bones of
the limbs (arms, legs, hands, and feet) and girdles (shoulder and pelvic).
,1. The functions of the skeletal system:
a. Framework for the body (supports body and gives it shape)
b. Provides protection to prevent injury and damage to nervous
system, cardiovascular, and respiratory organs.
2. Ossification is the process in which cartilage is changed into bone.
3. Differences b/w bone types:
a. Long Bones – Acts as levers for the skeletal muscles to act upon
i. Ex. Tibia (lower leg) and fibula (lower leg) or humerus (upper arm)
b. Short Bones – Provide stability and support, while allowing for some motion
i. Ex. Carpal (wrist) and tarsal (ankle) bones
c. Flat Bones – Points of attachment for muscles
i. Ex. Rib cage or skull bones (cranial)
d. Irregular Bones – Protect internal organs
, i. Ex. Vertebrae (spine) and mandible (jaw)
e. Sesamoid Bones – Protect tendons from compressive forces
i. Ex. Patella (knee cap)
4. Differences b/w the three joint types:
a. Immovable joints (fibrous joints)– allow little or no movement at the joint.
b. Partly movable joints (cartilaginous joints) – permit slight movement.
c. Movable joints (synovial joints) – allow bones to move freely.
Muscular System (600 muscles)
1. Features of the 3 types of muscle tissue:
a. Skeletal (voluntary muscles) – the most common muscle tissue found in
the body, allowing for movement in the body by pulling on the bones.
b. Cardiac (involuntary muscles) – only found in the heart.
c. Smooth (involuntary muscles) – found in the internal organs, such as
the stomach, intestine, and bladder.
2. Six ways in which muscles are classified/named:
a. Size
b. Shape
c. Fiber direction
d. Location
e. Action
f. Origin
3. The difference between Axial and Appendicular muscles:
a. Axial – found in the same location as axial bones.
i. Ex. Smiling, frowning, swallowing, closing your eyes
b. Appendicular – found in the same area as appendicular bones.
i. Ex. Throwing a football, running, or kicking a ball
4. Terms pertaining to muscle contraction
a. Muscle Contraction – a tightening or shortening of muscles
b. Muscle Relaxation – occurs when muscle returns to normal after contracting
c. Sarcomere – a small unit of muscle tissue involved in contraction
d. Sliding Filament Theory – a theory to explain the contraction of muscles
to create movement.
Nervous Systems
1. Two divisions of the nervous system:
a. The Central Nervous System (CNS)
b. The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
2. Nervous Tissue – a specialized tissue found in the nervous system consisting of the
brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves, neurons, and neuroglia that is responsible for
the control of the body and the communication among its parts.
PHYSIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE ANSWERS) 2025-2026 Western Governors
University
Biology of Human Body:
• Anatomy – Body’s Structure
• Physiology – Body’s Functioning
Section 1: Body Movement
Skeletal System (206
Bones)
• Two Divisions
o Axial Skeleton [center or axis of the body]– forms the head and trunk of
your body and includes the skull, vertebral column (spine), and rib cage.
o Appendicular skeleton [bones of the extremities] – represents the bones of
the limbs (arms, legs, hands, and feet) and girdles (shoulder and pelvic).
,1. The functions of the skeletal system:
a. Framework for the body (supports body and gives it shape)
b. Provides protection to prevent injury and damage to nervous
system, cardiovascular, and respiratory organs.
2. Ossification is the process in which cartilage is changed into bone.
3. Differences b/w bone types:
a. Long Bones – Acts as levers for the skeletal muscles to act upon
i. Ex. Tibia (lower leg) and fibula (lower leg) or humerus (upper arm)
b. Short Bones – Provide stability and support, while allowing for some motion
i. Ex. Carpal (wrist) and tarsal (ankle) bones
c. Flat Bones – Points of attachment for muscles
i. Ex. Rib cage or skull bones (cranial)
d. Irregular Bones – Protect internal organs
, i. Ex. Vertebrae (spine) and mandible (jaw)
e. Sesamoid Bones – Protect tendons from compressive forces
i. Ex. Patella (knee cap)
4. Differences b/w the three joint types:
a. Immovable joints (fibrous joints)– allow little or no movement at the joint.
b. Partly movable joints (cartilaginous joints) – permit slight movement.
c. Movable joints (synovial joints) – allow bones to move freely.
Muscular System (600 muscles)
1. Features of the 3 types of muscle tissue:
a. Skeletal (voluntary muscles) – the most common muscle tissue found in
the body, allowing for movement in the body by pulling on the bones.
b. Cardiac (involuntary muscles) – only found in the heart.
c. Smooth (involuntary muscles) – found in the internal organs, such as
the stomach, intestine, and bladder.
2. Six ways in which muscles are classified/named:
a. Size
b. Shape
c. Fiber direction
d. Location
e. Action
f. Origin
3. The difference between Axial and Appendicular muscles:
a. Axial – found in the same location as axial bones.
i. Ex. Smiling, frowning, swallowing, closing your eyes
b. Appendicular – found in the same area as appendicular bones.
i. Ex. Throwing a football, running, or kicking a ball
4. Terms pertaining to muscle contraction
a. Muscle Contraction – a tightening or shortening of muscles
b. Muscle Relaxation – occurs when muscle returns to normal after contracting
c. Sarcomere – a small unit of muscle tissue involved in contraction
d. Sliding Filament Theory – a theory to explain the contraction of muscles
to create movement.
Nervous Systems
1. Two divisions of the nervous system:
a. The Central Nervous System (CNS)
b. The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
2. Nervous Tissue – a specialized tissue found in the nervous system consisting of the
brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves, neurons, and neuroglia that is responsible for
the control of the body and the communication among its parts.
