D203 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology WHAT YOU
NEED TO KNOW 2025-2026 Western Governors University
D203 Study Guide
Please use the Learning Resource to answer these questions to ensure you obtain the most
accurate information for this exam. Please also do your best to summarize the information in
your own words.
Section 1: Body Movement Skeletal
System
What are the functions of the skeletal system?
Structure and support.
What is ossification?
Bone remodeling - laying new bone and breaking the old. What are
the differences between the following bone types?
a. Long: Longer than they are wide (e.g., femur, humerus).
b. Short: Cube-ish, approximately equal in length and width (e.g., wrist, ankle).
c. Flat: Wider and less round (e.g., skull, breastbone, shoulder).
d. Irregular: Do not fit in other categories (e.g., pharynx, trachea).
e. Sesamoid: Small, in joint or near tendons or muscles.
What are some differences between the three joint types?
, a. Immovable: Fibrous; provides stability.
b. Partly movable: Cartilaginous (e.g., vertebrae).
c. Movable: Synovial; main functional joint.
Nervous System
What is a neuron and how does this differ from a nerve?
Transmits information via electrical signals throughout the body. Nerves are groups of neurons
that send electrical impulses to the brain.
, Define the following parts/functions of a neuron:
a. Axon: Sends signals from the cell body to other cells.
b. Dendrites: Receive signals.
c. Terminal buttons: Make connections to other cells.
d. Soma: Processes incoming information.
e. Myelin sheath: Speeds up signal transmission; insulates axon.
f. Action potential: Electrical event in the neuron that signals activity (electrical
signal traveling).
Define the six different types of neuroglia (glial cells) and state whether they are part of the
central or peripheral nervous system:
a. Oligodendrocytes: CNS; make myelin for CNS.
b. Schwann Cells: PNS; make myelin for PNS.
c. Ependymal cells: CNS; make and secrete cerebrospinal fluid.
d. Satellite cells: PNS; provide structural support.
e. Astrocytes: CNS; support blood-brain barrier.
f. Microglia: CNS; remove damaged neurons.
List the structures and functions contained in the three major sections of the brain:
a. Forebrain: Processing, learning, and memory.
b. Midbrain: Awareness, attention, ability to focus, arousal.
c. Hindbrain: Vital functions (e.g., breathing, heartbeat).
What is the spinal cord?
The CNS nerve tract that extends from the brainstem to the pelvis, connects brain with PNS.
What are reflexes?
Involuntary movements in response to stimuli; do not require brain input before movement.
NEED TO KNOW 2025-2026 Western Governors University
D203 Study Guide
Please use the Learning Resource to answer these questions to ensure you obtain the most
accurate information for this exam. Please also do your best to summarize the information in
your own words.
Section 1: Body Movement Skeletal
System
What are the functions of the skeletal system?
Structure and support.
What is ossification?
Bone remodeling - laying new bone and breaking the old. What are
the differences between the following bone types?
a. Long: Longer than they are wide (e.g., femur, humerus).
b. Short: Cube-ish, approximately equal in length and width (e.g., wrist, ankle).
c. Flat: Wider and less round (e.g., skull, breastbone, shoulder).
d. Irregular: Do not fit in other categories (e.g., pharynx, trachea).
e. Sesamoid: Small, in joint or near tendons or muscles.
What are some differences between the three joint types?
, a. Immovable: Fibrous; provides stability.
b. Partly movable: Cartilaginous (e.g., vertebrae).
c. Movable: Synovial; main functional joint.
Nervous System
What is a neuron and how does this differ from a nerve?
Transmits information via electrical signals throughout the body. Nerves are groups of neurons
that send electrical impulses to the brain.
, Define the following parts/functions of a neuron:
a. Axon: Sends signals from the cell body to other cells.
b. Dendrites: Receive signals.
c. Terminal buttons: Make connections to other cells.
d. Soma: Processes incoming information.
e. Myelin sheath: Speeds up signal transmission; insulates axon.
f. Action potential: Electrical event in the neuron that signals activity (electrical
signal traveling).
Define the six different types of neuroglia (glial cells) and state whether they are part of the
central or peripheral nervous system:
a. Oligodendrocytes: CNS; make myelin for CNS.
b. Schwann Cells: PNS; make myelin for PNS.
c. Ependymal cells: CNS; make and secrete cerebrospinal fluid.
d. Satellite cells: PNS; provide structural support.
e. Astrocytes: CNS; support blood-brain barrier.
f. Microglia: CNS; remove damaged neurons.
List the structures and functions contained in the three major sections of the brain:
a. Forebrain: Processing, learning, and memory.
b. Midbrain: Awareness, attention, ability to focus, arousal.
c. Hindbrain: Vital functions (e.g., breathing, heartbeat).
What is the spinal cord?
The CNS nerve tract that extends from the brainstem to the pelvis, connects brain with PNS.
What are reflexes?
Involuntary movements in response to stimuli; do not require brain input before movement.
