Portage BIOD 151 Exam 1 Study Guide: Anatomy & Cell
Bio Q&A (2026/2027)
Human Anatomy & Cell Biology Fundamentals | Key Domains: Anatomical Terminology & Body
Organization, Cell Structure & Organelle Function, Membrane Transport & Cellular Processes
(Diffusion, Osmosis, Mitosis), Basic Tissues (Epithelial, Connective, Muscular, Nervous), and
Integumentary System | Expert-Aligned Structure | Module Study Guide Format
Introduction
This structured BIOD 151 Exam 1 Study Guide for Portage Learning (2026/2027) provides a
foundational review of human anatomy and cell biology with practice questions and rationales. It
emphasizes the essential concepts and terminology that form the basis for understanding the
structure and function of the human body at the cellular and tissue levels.
Guide Structure:
● Foundational Content Review: (ANATOMY & CELL BIOLOGY BASICS)
● Integrated Practice Questions: (55 QUESTION & ANSWER SETS)
Answer Format
All correct answers and anatomical terms must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by
concise rationales explaining the definition of an anatomical term (e.g., proximal vs. distal), the
function of a specific organelle (e.g., mitochondria, ribosomes), the type of membrane transport
occurring in a scenario (e.g., facilitated diffusion, active transport), and why alternative options are
factually incorrect or misapplied.
1. Which plane divides the body into superior and inferior parts?
● A. Sagittal
● B. Frontal
● C. Transverse
● D. Coronal
C. Transverse
The transverse (horizontal) plane cuts the body horizontally, separating it into superior (upper) and
inferior (lower) portions. The sagittal plane divides left and right; frontal (coronal) divides anterior
and posterior.
2. The heart is ______ to the sternum.
, ● A. superficial
● B. distal
● C. deep
● D. lateral
C. deep
“Deep” means farther from the body surface. The heart lies behind (deep to) the sternum. “Superficial”
would mean closer to the surface, which does not apply here.
3. Which organelle is responsible for ATP production via cellular respiration?
● A. Nucleus
● B. Lysosome
● C. Mitochondria
● D. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondria
Mitochondria are known as the “powerhouses” of the cell because they generate ATP through aerobic
respiration (Krebs cycle and electron transport chain). The nucleus stores DNA; lysosomes digest
waste; the Golgi modifies and packages proteins.
4. A red blood cell placed in a hypertonic solution will:
● A. swell and burst
● B. remain unchanged
● C. shrink (crenate)
● D. divide by mitosis
C. shrink (crenate)
In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell is higher than inside, causing water
to move out via osmosis. This leads to cell shrinkage (crenation in RBCs). Swelling occurs in hypotonic
solutions.
5. Which tissue type lines body cavities and forms glands?
● A. Connective
● B. Muscular
● C. Nervous
● D. Epithelial
D. Epithelial
, Epithelial tissue covers body surfaces (internal and external), lines cavities, and forms glands. It is
avascular, tightly packed, and has apical/basal polarity. Connective tissue supports; muscular
contracts; nervous conducts impulses.
6. The thumb is ______ to the little finger.
● A. medial
● B. lateral
● C. proximal
● D. distal
B. lateral
In anatomical position, the thumb is on the lateral side of the hand (away from the midline), while the
little finger is medial (closer to the midline). This applies to standard directional terminology for the
upper limb.
7. Which structure controls what enters and exits the nucleus?
● A. Nuclear envelope
● B. Nucleolus
● C. Nuclear pores
● D. Chromatin
C. Nuclear pores
Nuclear pores are channels in the nuclear envelope that regulate the passage of molecules (e.g., mRNA,
proteins) between the nucleus and cytoplasm. The nuclear envelope is the double membrane; the
nucleolus makes ribosomal subunits.
8. Glucose enters most cells via:
● A. simple diffusion
● B. osmosis
● C. facilitated diffusion
● D. primary active transport
C. facilitated diffusion
Glucose is too large and polar to diffuse through the lipid bilayer. It enters cells via carrier proteins
(e.g., GLUT transporters) down its concentration gradient—no energy required. This is facilitated
diffusion, not active transport.
9. Which layer of the epidermis contains actively dividing stem cells?
● A. Stratum corneum
Bio Q&A (2026/2027)
Human Anatomy & Cell Biology Fundamentals | Key Domains: Anatomical Terminology & Body
Organization, Cell Structure & Organelle Function, Membrane Transport & Cellular Processes
(Diffusion, Osmosis, Mitosis), Basic Tissues (Epithelial, Connective, Muscular, Nervous), and
Integumentary System | Expert-Aligned Structure | Module Study Guide Format
Introduction
This structured BIOD 151 Exam 1 Study Guide for Portage Learning (2026/2027) provides a
foundational review of human anatomy and cell biology with practice questions and rationales. It
emphasizes the essential concepts and terminology that form the basis for understanding the
structure and function of the human body at the cellular and tissue levels.
Guide Structure:
● Foundational Content Review: (ANATOMY & CELL BIOLOGY BASICS)
● Integrated Practice Questions: (55 QUESTION & ANSWER SETS)
Answer Format
All correct answers and anatomical terms must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by
concise rationales explaining the definition of an anatomical term (e.g., proximal vs. distal), the
function of a specific organelle (e.g., mitochondria, ribosomes), the type of membrane transport
occurring in a scenario (e.g., facilitated diffusion, active transport), and why alternative options are
factually incorrect or misapplied.
1. Which plane divides the body into superior and inferior parts?
● A. Sagittal
● B. Frontal
● C. Transverse
● D. Coronal
C. Transverse
The transverse (horizontal) plane cuts the body horizontally, separating it into superior (upper) and
inferior (lower) portions. The sagittal plane divides left and right; frontal (coronal) divides anterior
and posterior.
2. The heart is ______ to the sternum.
, ● A. superficial
● B. distal
● C. deep
● D. lateral
C. deep
“Deep” means farther from the body surface. The heart lies behind (deep to) the sternum. “Superficial”
would mean closer to the surface, which does not apply here.
3. Which organelle is responsible for ATP production via cellular respiration?
● A. Nucleus
● B. Lysosome
● C. Mitochondria
● D. Golgi apparatus
C. Mitochondria
Mitochondria are known as the “powerhouses” of the cell because they generate ATP through aerobic
respiration (Krebs cycle and electron transport chain). The nucleus stores DNA; lysosomes digest
waste; the Golgi modifies and packages proteins.
4. A red blood cell placed in a hypertonic solution will:
● A. swell and burst
● B. remain unchanged
● C. shrink (crenate)
● D. divide by mitosis
C. shrink (crenate)
In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell is higher than inside, causing water
to move out via osmosis. This leads to cell shrinkage (crenation in RBCs). Swelling occurs in hypotonic
solutions.
5. Which tissue type lines body cavities and forms glands?
● A. Connective
● B. Muscular
● C. Nervous
● D. Epithelial
D. Epithelial
, Epithelial tissue covers body surfaces (internal and external), lines cavities, and forms glands. It is
avascular, tightly packed, and has apical/basal polarity. Connective tissue supports; muscular
contracts; nervous conducts impulses.
6. The thumb is ______ to the little finger.
● A. medial
● B. lateral
● C. proximal
● D. distal
B. lateral
In anatomical position, the thumb is on the lateral side of the hand (away from the midline), while the
little finger is medial (closer to the midline). This applies to standard directional terminology for the
upper limb.
7. Which structure controls what enters and exits the nucleus?
● A. Nuclear envelope
● B. Nucleolus
● C. Nuclear pores
● D. Chromatin
C. Nuclear pores
Nuclear pores are channels in the nuclear envelope that regulate the passage of molecules (e.g., mRNA,
proteins) between the nucleus and cytoplasm. The nuclear envelope is the double membrane; the
nucleolus makes ribosomal subunits.
8. Glucose enters most cells via:
● A. simple diffusion
● B. osmosis
● C. facilitated diffusion
● D. primary active transport
C. facilitated diffusion
Glucose is too large and polar to diffuse through the lipid bilayer. It enters cells via carrier proteins
(e.g., GLUT transporters) down its concentration gradient—no energy required. This is facilitated
diffusion, not active transport.
9. Which layer of the epidermis contains actively dividing stem cells?
● A. Stratum corneum
