BIOS 255 EXAM 1 2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% SOLVED GRADED A+
◉ What is the function of the dorsal cavity and what two
subdivisions does it contain? Answer: Protection of the nervous
system; cranial cavity and vertebral cavity
◉ What is the function of the ventral cavity and what two
subdivisions does it contain? Answer: Encloses internal organs;
Thoracic (above diaphragm) and abdominopelvic
◉ What does the thoracic cavity contain? Answer: Pleural cavity,
mediastinum (surrounds remaining organs), and pericardial cavity
◉ What does the abdominopelvic cavity contain? Answer:
Abdominal cavity (stomach, intestines, spleen, liver) and pelvic
cavity (bladder, reproductive organs, rectum)
◉ What kind of serous membrane lines the cavity wall? Answer:
Parietal (remember serous membranes are continuous)
◉ What kind of serous membrane lines the organ it's associated
with? Answer: Visceral (remember serous membranes are
continuous)
,◉ What is meant by the term "anatomical variability"? Answer: It
means that humans vary slightly in their anatomy. Only about 90%
of all anatomical structures match the textbook
◉ What are the functions of the plasma membrane? Answer:
Physical boundary, separates intracellular fluids from extracellular
fluids, transports molecules, enzymatic activity, signal transduction
using receptors, intercellular adhesion, cell-cell recognition
◉ What is the structure of the plasma membrane? Answer: It is a
phospholipid bilayer that has embedded proteins
◉ What is the difference between peripheral proteins and integral
proteins in the plasma membrane? Answer: Peripheral - one side
Integral - both sides
◉ What is the Glycocalyx and what is its function? Answer: Area
around the cell composed of carbohydrates; provides highly specific
biological markers for cell-cell recognition
◉ What are the four intracellular junctions? Answer: Tight,
adhering, gap and desmosomes
, ◉ What are tight junctions? Answer: (stitches) Impermeable
junction that encircles apical surface, inhibits movement between
cells
◉ What are adhering junctions? Answer: (snaps) Junctions that
provide apical support, deep to tight junction, resists separation of
cells, composed of lots of desmosomes
◉ What are desmosomes? Answer: Anchoring junction scattered
along the side of cells, joins cytoskeleton of cells together
◉ What are gap junctions? Answer: A channel that allows chemical
substances to freely pass between the cytoplasm of two cells
◉ What is cytoplasm? Answer: All materials contained within the
cell membrane and outside of the nucleus (cytosol, inclusions,
organelles), it is the location of many metabolic reactions
◉ What is a cytoplasmic inclusion? Answer: Temporary storage for
pigments, glycogen, and lipids; not in all cells and not enclosed
◉ What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
Answer: Lipid synthesis & storage, carb metabolism, detox
ANSWERS 100% SOLVED GRADED A+
◉ What is the function of the dorsal cavity and what two
subdivisions does it contain? Answer: Protection of the nervous
system; cranial cavity and vertebral cavity
◉ What is the function of the ventral cavity and what two
subdivisions does it contain? Answer: Encloses internal organs;
Thoracic (above diaphragm) and abdominopelvic
◉ What does the thoracic cavity contain? Answer: Pleural cavity,
mediastinum (surrounds remaining organs), and pericardial cavity
◉ What does the abdominopelvic cavity contain? Answer:
Abdominal cavity (stomach, intestines, spleen, liver) and pelvic
cavity (bladder, reproductive organs, rectum)
◉ What kind of serous membrane lines the cavity wall? Answer:
Parietal (remember serous membranes are continuous)
◉ What kind of serous membrane lines the organ it's associated
with? Answer: Visceral (remember serous membranes are
continuous)
,◉ What is meant by the term "anatomical variability"? Answer: It
means that humans vary slightly in their anatomy. Only about 90%
of all anatomical structures match the textbook
◉ What are the functions of the plasma membrane? Answer:
Physical boundary, separates intracellular fluids from extracellular
fluids, transports molecules, enzymatic activity, signal transduction
using receptors, intercellular adhesion, cell-cell recognition
◉ What is the structure of the plasma membrane? Answer: It is a
phospholipid bilayer that has embedded proteins
◉ What is the difference between peripheral proteins and integral
proteins in the plasma membrane? Answer: Peripheral - one side
Integral - both sides
◉ What is the Glycocalyx and what is its function? Answer: Area
around the cell composed of carbohydrates; provides highly specific
biological markers for cell-cell recognition
◉ What are the four intracellular junctions? Answer: Tight,
adhering, gap and desmosomes
, ◉ What are tight junctions? Answer: (stitches) Impermeable
junction that encircles apical surface, inhibits movement between
cells
◉ What are adhering junctions? Answer: (snaps) Junctions that
provide apical support, deep to tight junction, resists separation of
cells, composed of lots of desmosomes
◉ What are desmosomes? Answer: Anchoring junction scattered
along the side of cells, joins cytoskeleton of cells together
◉ What are gap junctions? Answer: A channel that allows chemical
substances to freely pass between the cytoplasm of two cells
◉ What is cytoplasm? Answer: All materials contained within the
cell membrane and outside of the nucleus (cytosol, inclusions,
organelles), it is the location of many metabolic reactions
◉ What is a cytoplasmic inclusion? Answer: Temporary storage for
pigments, glycogen, and lipids; not in all cells and not enclosed
◉ What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum?
Answer: Lipid synthesis & storage, carb metabolism, detox
