SFSU BIOL 212 FINAL EXAM Human Physiology
(100 Questions with Answers & Rationales)
1. What is the primary function of the sodium-potassium pump?
Answer: Maintains resting membrane potential by pumping 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ in.
Rationale: The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase is vital for electrical stability and nerve impulse generation.
2. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
Answer: Dendrites.
Rationale: Dendrites contain receptor sites that receive neurotransmitters from other neurons.
3. What is the main neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Answer: Acetylcholine.
Rationale: It promotes rest-and-digest functions via muscarinic receptors.
4. Which ion triggers the release of neurotransmitters at the synapse?
Answer: Calcium (Ca²⁺).
Rationale: Ca²⁺ influx causes vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter exocytosis.
5. What happens during depolarization of a neuron?
Answer: Sodium ions enter the cell.
Rationale: Na⁺ influx makes the membrane potential more positive.
6. The primary function of the myelin sheath is:
Answer: To increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction.
Rationale: Myelin enables saltatory conduction between nodes of Ranvier.
7. Which brain structure regulates body temperature and hunger?
Answer: Hypothalamus.
Rationale: The hypothalamus integrates autonomic and endocrine responses.
, 8. Which part of the brain coordinates balance and posture?
Answer: Cerebellum.
Rationale: The cerebellum fine-tunes motor activity.
9. The cardiac muscle’s pacemaker cells are located in:
Answer: The sinoatrial (SA) node.
Rationale: The SA node initiates spontaneous depolarization for heartbeat rhythm.
10. The Frank-Starling law states:
Answer: Increased venous return leads to increased stroke volume.
Rationale: More blood stretches cardiac fibers, increasing contractile force.
11. Which vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
Answer: Pulmonary veins.
Rationale: These are the only veins that carry oxygen-rich blood.
12. What does systolic blood pressure represent?
Answer: Pressure during ventricular contraction.
Rationale: It’s the peak pressure when blood is ejected from the heart.
13. Which part of the nephron is responsible for filtration?
Answer: Glomerulus.
Rationale: Blood is filtered through capillaries into Bowman’s capsule.
14. The loop of Henle primarily:
Answer: Concentrates urine by reabsorbing water and salt.
Rationale: It creates an osmotic gradient in the medulla.
15. What hormone regulates water reabsorption in the kidneys?
Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
Rationale: ADH increases collecting duct permeability to water.
(100 Questions with Answers & Rationales)
1. What is the primary function of the sodium-potassium pump?
Answer: Maintains resting membrane potential by pumping 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ in.
Rationale: The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase is vital for electrical stability and nerve impulse generation.
2. Which part of the neuron receives incoming signals?
Answer: Dendrites.
Rationale: Dendrites contain receptor sites that receive neurotransmitters from other neurons.
3. What is the main neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Answer: Acetylcholine.
Rationale: It promotes rest-and-digest functions via muscarinic receptors.
4. Which ion triggers the release of neurotransmitters at the synapse?
Answer: Calcium (Ca²⁺).
Rationale: Ca²⁺ influx causes vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter exocytosis.
5. What happens during depolarization of a neuron?
Answer: Sodium ions enter the cell.
Rationale: Na⁺ influx makes the membrane potential more positive.
6. The primary function of the myelin sheath is:
Answer: To increase the speed of nerve impulse conduction.
Rationale: Myelin enables saltatory conduction between nodes of Ranvier.
7. Which brain structure regulates body temperature and hunger?
Answer: Hypothalamus.
Rationale: The hypothalamus integrates autonomic and endocrine responses.
, 8. Which part of the brain coordinates balance and posture?
Answer: Cerebellum.
Rationale: The cerebellum fine-tunes motor activity.
9. The cardiac muscle’s pacemaker cells are located in:
Answer: The sinoatrial (SA) node.
Rationale: The SA node initiates spontaneous depolarization for heartbeat rhythm.
10. The Frank-Starling law states:
Answer: Increased venous return leads to increased stroke volume.
Rationale: More blood stretches cardiac fibers, increasing contractile force.
11. Which vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
Answer: Pulmonary veins.
Rationale: These are the only veins that carry oxygen-rich blood.
12. What does systolic blood pressure represent?
Answer: Pressure during ventricular contraction.
Rationale: It’s the peak pressure when blood is ejected from the heart.
13. Which part of the nephron is responsible for filtration?
Answer: Glomerulus.
Rationale: Blood is filtered through capillaries into Bowman’s capsule.
14. The loop of Henle primarily:
Answer: Concentrates urine by reabsorbing water and salt.
Rationale: It creates an osmotic gradient in the medulla.
15. What hormone regulates water reabsorption in the kidneys?
Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
Rationale: ADH increases collecting duct permeability to water.
