--- title: "Human Anatomy & Physiology — Example Quiz" version: 1 tags: [anatomy, physiology, bsc, human-biology] time_limit: 45 allow_overrun: true random_order: true --- ##### Question q001 type: single_choice correct: [c] In the standard **anatomical position**, which of the following is true? A. The body is lying supine with the palms facing down B. The arms are raised and the thumbs point medially C. The body is standing erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward D. The body is prone with the head turned to the side ###### Explanation The anatomical position is the universal reference posture: standing erect, face forward, feet slightly apart and flat, arms at the sides with the palms facing anteriorly (supinated). All directional terms (anterior, posterior, medial, etc.) are defined relative to this position. --- ##### Question q002 type: single_choice correct: [b] A **sagittal plane** divides the body into which two portions? A. Superior and inferior B. Left and right C. Anterior and posterior D. Proximal and distal ###### Explanation The sagittal plane runs vertically and divides the body into left and right portions; a **midsagittal (median)** plane does so into equal halves. The frontal (coronal) plane separates anterior from posterior, and the transverse plane separates superior from inferior. --- ##### Question q003 type: multi_choice correct: [a, b, d] Which of the following are **directional term pairs** correctly matched as opposites? Select three. A. Proximal — Distal B. Superficial — Deep C. Medial — Ventral D. Superior — Inferior ###### Explanation Medial pairs with lateral, not ventral (ventral pairs with dorsal). Proximal/distal, superficial/deep, and superior/inferior are all valid opposing pairs. --- ##### Question q004 type: single_choice correct: [d] How many bones are found in the typical adult human skeleton? A. 186 B. 196 C. 201 D. 206 ###### Explanation The adult human skeleton contains 206 bones. Infants are born with roughly 270; many fuse during growth (for example, the frontal bone and the sacral vertebrae). --- ##### Question q005 type: single_choice correct: [b] The structural unit of **compact bone** is the: A. Trabecula B. Osteon (Haversian system) C. Lacuna D. Epiphysis ###### Explanation Compact bone is organised into osteons (Haversian systems) — concentric lamellae of bone matrix surrounding a central (Haversian) canal that carries blood vessels and nerves. Osteocytes sit in small cavities called lacunae between the lamellae. --- ##### Question q006 type: single_choice correct: [a] Which cell type is primarily responsible for **bone resorption**? A. Osteoclast B. Osteoblast C. Osteocyte D. Chondrocyte ###### Explanation Osteoclasts are large multinucleated cells that break down (resorb) bone matrix. Osteoblasts build new bone, osteocytes are mature bone cells maintaining the matrix, and chondrocytes are found in cartilage. --- ##### Question q007 type: multi_choice correct: [a, b, c, d] The **rotator cuff** of the shoulder is formed by which four muscles (the "SITS" muscles)? Select four. A. Supraspinatus B. Infraspinatus C. Teres minor D. Subscapularis ###### Explanation The rotator cuff comprises Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, and Subscapularis (mnemonic "SITS"). Together they stabilise the glenohumeral joint. Teres *major* and deltoid are not part of the cuff. --- ##### Question q008 type: single_choice correct: [c] During skeletal muscle contraction described by the **sliding filament theory**, which band of the sarcomere does **not** change in length? A. I band B. H zone C. A band D. The distance between Z discs ###### Explanation During contraction the sarcomere shortens: the I band and H zone narrow and the Z discs move closer together. The **A band** (the length of the thick/myosin filaments) stays constant because the filaments slide rather than shorten. --- ##### Question q009 type: single_choice correct: [b] Which ion, released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, directly triggers cross-bridge formation by binding **troponin**? A. Sodium (Na⁺) B. Calcium (Ca²⁺) C. Potassium (K⁺) D. Chloride (Cl⁻) ###### Explanation Calcium released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum binds troponin, causing tropomyosin to shift and expose the myosin-binding sites on actin. This allows cross-bridges to form and the power stroke to occur. --- ##### Question q010 type: multi_choice correct: [b, c] Which two of the following are **primary germ layers** derivatives correctly paired? Select two. A. Ectoderm — skeletal muscle B. Ectoderm — nervous system C. Endoderm — gut epithelium D. Mesoderm — epidermis ###### Explanation Ectoderm gives rise to the nervous system and epidermis; endoderm forms the epithelial lining of the gut and respiratory tract; mesoderm forms muscle, bone, and connective tissue. Skeletal muscle is mesodermal, and the epidermis is ectodermal — so A and D are mismatched. --- ##### Question q011 type: single_choice correct: [c] Which structural class of neuron is **most common in the human CNS**? A. Unipolar B. Bipolar C. Multipolar D. Anaxonic ###### Explanation Multipolar neurons — one axon and multiple dendrites — are by far the most common neuron type in the central nervous system, including motor neurons and interneurons. Bipolar neurons are found in special senses (e.g., retina), and unipolar (pseudounipolar) neurons are typical sensory neurons. --- ##### Question q012 type: single_choice correct: [b] Which glial cell forms the **myelin sheath** in the central nervous system? A. Schwann cell B. Oligodendrocyte C. Astrocyte D. Microglia ###### Explanation Oligodendrocytes myelinate axons in the CNS (a single oligodendrocyte can myelinate several axons). In the PNS, Schwann cells perform this role. Astrocytes provide metabolic/structural support, and microglia are the resident immune cells. --- ##### Question q013 type: single_choice correct: [d] The **vagus nerve** is which cranial nerve, and what is its primary functional significance? A. CN V — the largest cranial nerve B. CN VII — controls facial expression C. CN VIII — hearing and balance D. CN X — major parasympathetic supply to thoracic and abdominal viscera ###### Explanation The vagus nerve is cranial nerve X. It carries the majority of parasympathetic fibres to the heart, lungs, and much of the gastrointestinal tract, and has the widest distribution of any cranial nerve. --- ##### Question q014 type: single_choice correct: [a] The **sympathetic** division of the autonomic nervous system is also described as the: A. Thoracolumbar division B. Craniosacral division C. Somatic division D. Enteric division ###### Explanation Sympathetic preganglionic neurons arise from the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord (T1–L2), giving the "thoracolumbar" designation. The parasympathetic division is "craniosacral" (cranial nerves III, VII, IX, X and sacral segments S2–S4). --- ##### Question q015 type: single_choice correct: [c] Which region of the brain is chiefly responsible for **coordinating movement, posture, and balance**? A. Medulla oblongata B. Hypothalamus C. Cerebellum D. Thalamus ###### Explanation The cerebellum fine-tunes motor activity, coordinates voluntary movement, and maintains balance and posture. The medulla controls autonomic reflexes (heart rate, breathing), the hypothalamus governs homeostasis, and the thalamus is a sensory relay station. --- ##### Question q016 type: sequence correct: [c, a, d, b] Arrange the following structures in the correct order for **blood flow through the right side of the heart and pulmonary circuit**, starting from deoxygenated blood entering the heart: A. Right ventricle B. Pulmonary arteries to the lungs C. Right atrium D. Pulmonary (semilunar) valve ###### Explanation Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium (via the venae cavae), passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle, then through the pulmonary semilunar valve into the pulmonary arteries and on to the lungs for gas exchange. --- ##### Question q017 type: single_choice correct: [b] Which valve lies between the **left atrium and left ventricle**? A. Tricuspid valve B. Bicuspid (mitral) valve C. Aortic semilunar valve D. Pulmonary semilunar valve ###### Explanation The bicuspid (mitral) valve separates the left atrium and left ventricle. The tricuspid valve is the right atrioventricular valve; the semilunar valves guard the exits to the aorta and pulmonary trunk. --- ##### Question q018 type: sequence correct: [a, b, c, d] Place the components of the **cardiac conduction system** in the order an impulse travels: A. Sinoatrial (SA) node B. Atrioventricular (AV) node C. Bundle of His (AV bundle) D. Purkinje fibres ###### Explanation The impulse originates at the SA node (the pacemaker), spreads across the atria to the AV node, is delayed briefly, then travels down the Bundle of His and its branches to the Purkinje fibres, which distribute it through the ventricular myocardium. --- ##### Question q019 type: multi_choice correct: [a, c] Which two layers make up the wall of a typical **artery** alongside the tunica media? Select two. A. Tunica intima B. Tunica serosa C. Tunica externa (adventitia) D. Tunica mucosa ###### Explanation Blood vessel walls have three tunics: tunica intima (inner endothelium), tunica media (smooth muscle and elastic tissue — thickest in arteries), and tunica externa/adventitia (outer connective tissue). Serosa and mucosa are layers of hollow organs like the gut, not blood vessels. --- ##### Question q020 type: single_choice correct: [d] **Gas exchange** in the lungs occurs across which structures? A. Bronchi B. Terminal bronchioles C. Trachea D. Alveoli ###### Explanation Gas exchange occurs across the walls of the alveoli, where the thin respiratory membrane (alveolar epithelium + capillary endothelium fused basement membranes) allows oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse between air and blood. The bronchi, bronchioles, and trachea are conducting passages only. --- ##### Question q021 type: single_choice correct: [b] Which nerve provides the primary motor supply to the **diaphragm**? A. Vagus nerve B. Phrenic nerve C. Intercostal nerves D. Accessory nerve ###### Explanation The phrenic nerve (arising from cervical roots C3–C5, "C3, 4, 5 keeps the diaphragm alive") supplies motor innervation to the diaphragm, the principal muscle of respiration. --- ##### Question q022 type: sequence correct: [b, c, a, d] Arrange the following segments of the **gastrointestinal tract** in the order food passes through them: A. Stomach B. Oesophagus C. Pharynx D. Small intestine ###### Explanation After the mouth, food passes through the pharynx, down the oesophagus, into the stomach, and then into the small intestine (duodenum → jejunum → ileum) before reaching the large intestine. Note: option C (pharynx) precedes B (oesophagus). --- ##### Question q023 type: multi_choice correct: [a, b, c] Which of the following are **accessory organs** of the digestive system (they aid digestion but food does not pass through them)? Select three. A. Liver B. Pancreas C. Gallbladder D. Ileum ###### Explanation The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are accessory digestive organs — they secrete substances (bile, enzymes) into the tract but are not part of the alimentary canal itself. The ileum is the final segment of the small intestine, part of the tract proper. --- ##### Question q024 type: single_choice correct: [a] In the nephron, **filtration of blood** first occurs at the: A. Glomerulus (within the renal corpuscle) B. Proximal convoluted tubule C. Loop of Henle D. Collecting duct ###### Explanation Filtration begins at the glomerulus, a capillary tuft enclosed by the glomerular (Bowman's) capsule; together they form the renal corpuscle. Filtrate then moves through the proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct, where reabsorption and secretion refine it. --- ##### Question q025 type: sequence correct: [b, a, c, d] Trace the path of **filtrate through the nephron** in order: A. Proximal convoluted tubule B. Glomerular (Bowman's) capsule C. Loop of Henle D. Distal convoluted tubule ###### Explanation Filtrate collects in the glomerular capsule, then flows through the proximal convoluted tubule, into the loop of Henle, and on to the distal convoluted tubule before draining into the collecting duct. --- ##### Question q026 type: single_choice correct: [c] Which hormone is secreted by the **beta cells** of the pancreatic islets (islets of Langerhans)? A. Glucagon B. Somatostatin C. Insulin D. Cortisol ###### Explanation Beta cells secrete insulin, which lowers blood glucose. Alpha cells secrete glucagon (raises glucose), and delta cells secrete somatostatin. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal cortex, not the pancreas. --- ##### Question q027 type: single_choice correct: [b] **Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)** is released from the posterior pituitary but is actually synthesised in the: A. Anterior pituitary B. Hypothalamus C. Adrenal medulla D. Pineal gland ###### Explanation ADH (vasopressin) and oxytocin are synthesised by hypothalamic neurons and transported down their axons for storage and release from the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis). The posterior pituitary is neural tissue and does not manufacture its own hormones. --- ##### Question q028 type: true_false correct: [b] The **left lung** has three lobes, whereas the right lung has two. A. True B. False ###### Explanation It is the reverse: the **right** lung has three lobes (superior, middle, inferior), and the **left** lung has two (superior and inferior), with the cardiac notch and lingula accommodating the heart. --- ##### Question q029 type: single_choice correct: [c] Which is the correct order of **epidermal layers**, from deepest to most superficial, in thick skin? A. Corneum → lucidum → granulosum → spinosum → basale B. Basale → granulosum → spinosum → lucidum → corneum C. Basale → spinosum → granulosum → lucidum → corneum D. Spinosum → basale → granulosum → corneum → lucidum ###### Explanation From deep to superficial, the epidermis of thick skin is: stratum **basale**, **spinosum**, **granulosum**, **lucidum**, and **corneum** (mnemonic: "Come, Let's Get Sun Burnt" read superficial-to-deep). The stratum lucidum is present only in thick, hairless skin such as the palms and soles. --- ##### Question q030 type: multi_choice correct: [a, b, c, d] Which of the following are recognised as the four **primary tissue types** of the human body? Select four. A. Epithelial tissue B. Connective tissue C. Muscle tissue D. Nervous tissue ###### Explanation The body's four primary tissue types are epithelial (covering/lining), connective (support and binding — including blood and bone), muscle (contraction), and nervous (communication). All organs are built from combinations of these four. ---