BIOL2010 Midterm Exam Study Guide 2025

100 Question-and-Answer style flashcards covering key concepts from BIOL2010 Midterm Exam Study Guide 2025, including body organization, chemistry basics, cell structure and function, protein synthesis, tissue types, integumentary system, skeletal system, and joints.

What is the correct order of structural organization in the human body from smallest to largest?

Atom → Molecule → Organelle → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ system → Organism

Which two major body cavities house the internal organs?

Dorsal cavity and ventral cavity

The cranial cavity is a subdivision of which larger cavity?

The dorsal cavity

What principle states that the structure of a body part determines its function?

Form determines function (Anatomy & Physiology are inseparable)

Define the anatomical position.

Body standing upright, feet slightly apart, arms at sides, palms facing forward

Which anatomical term means ‘toward the head’?

Superior (or cranial)

Which plane divides the body into right and left parts?

Sagittal plane

What term describes a structure closer to the trunk than another structure?

Proximal

Name the serous membrane that surrounds the heart.

Pericardium

Which directional term means ‘toward the front’ of the body?

Anterior (or ventral)

What three subatomic particles make up an atom?

Protons, neutrons, and electrons

Which type of bond forms when electrons are shared between atoms?

Covalent bond

Name the weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.

Hydrogen bond

Which inorganic compound is the universal solvent in the human body?

Water (H₂O)

What molecule is the primary energy currency of cells?

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Which macromolecules are composed of amino acid monomers?

Proteins

What class of organic molecules includes cholesterol and steroid hormones?

Lipids

Hydrolysis reactions involve the __ of water to break bonds.

Addition

Dehydration synthesis results in the __ of water when forming bonds.

Removal (release)

What type of reaction combines an acid and a base to form a salt and water?

Neutralization reaction

Which organelle is the site of ATP production via aerobic respiration?

Mitochondrion

What cellular structure packages and ships proteins in vesicles?

Golgi apparatus

Which organelle contains digestive enzymes and breaks down waste?

Lysosome

Name the supportive network of protein rods and filaments in the cytoplasm.

Cytoskeleton

During which phase of mitosis do sister chromatids separate?

Anaphase

What is the purpose of mitosis in somatic cells?

To produce two genetically identical daughter cells for growth and repair

Which phase of the cell cycle involves DNA replication?

S phase of interphase

What are the two main components of the plasma membrane?

Phospholipid bilayer and membrane proteins

Cholesterol in the plasma membrane primarily functions to __.

Stabilize membrane fluidity

Integral proteins that span the membrane and allow specific substances to pass are called __.

Channel proteins (or transport proteins)

Is simple diffusion an active or passive transport process?

Passive

Facilitated diffusion uses a carrier or channel and moves substances __ their concentration gradient.

Down

Which type of transport requires ATP to move substances against a concentration gradient?

Active transport

Endocytosis that engulfs large particles like bacteria is specifically termed __.

Phagocytosis

Name two factors that increase the rate of diffusion across a membrane.

Higher temperature and larger concentration gradient (others: smaller molecule size, larger surface area)

A red blood cell placed in a hypertonic solution will __.

Shrink (crenate)

A solution that causes no net water movement across a cell membrane is termed __.

Isotonic

Where in the cell does transcription occur?

In the nucleus

What enzyme assembles RNA nucleotides during transcription?

RNA polymerase

During translation, which RNA molecule carries amino acids to the ribosome?

tRNA (transfer RNA)

The three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA that specifies an amino acid is called a __.

Codon

In DNA, adenine always pairs with __.

Thymine

What complementary RNA strand results when DNA template sequence is A-T-G-C?

U-A-C-G

List the four primary tissue types.

Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous

Which tissue type lines body surfaces and cavities?

Epithelial tissue

What shape are cells in simple squamous epithelium?

Flattened and scale-like

Stratified squamous epithelium is found in which location subject to friction?

Epidermis of the skin (also mouth, esophagus)

Name two fluid connective tissues.

Blood and lymph

Which connective tissue stores triglycerides and provides insulation?

Adipose tissue

Dense regular connective tissue forms which strong cord-like structures?

Tendons and ligaments

What protein fiber gives connective tissue great tensile strength?

Collagen fibers

List the three types of muscle tissue.

Skeletal, cardiac, and smooth

Which muscle type is involuntary and non-striated?

Smooth muscle

Which distinguishing feature is unique to cardiac muscle cells?

Intercalated discs

Compare cartilage and bone in terms of vascularity.

Cartilage is avascular; bone is highly vascular

Which membrane type lines cavities that open to the exterior, such as the digestive tract?

Mucous membrane

The cutaneous membrane is commonly known as the __.

Skin

What are the five layers of thick skin epidermis from deep to superficial?

Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, stratum corneum

Which epidermal layer is responsible for cell division and new keratinocyte production?

Stratum basale

Name the two layers of the dermis.

Papillary layer and reticular layer

What type of connective tissue predominates in the reticular dermis?

Dense irregular connective tissue

The subcutaneous layer is also called the __.

Hypodermis

List two primary functions of the hypodermis.

Insulation and shock absorption (also anchors skin to underlying structures)

Which pigment produced by melanocytes determines skin color and protects DNA from UV damage?

Melanin

What reddish pigment in blood gives a pink hue to skin where capillaries are close to the surface?

Hemoglobin

Eccrine glands primarily function in __.

Thermoregulation through sweat secretion

Sebaceous glands secrete __ to lubricate and waterproof skin.

Sebum

Which small smooth muscle causes goosebumps by pulling on hair follicles?

Arrector pili muscle

Name the tough protective protein that makes up nails, hair, and the outer epidermis.

Keratin

Meissner (tactile) corpuscles detect __.

Light touch

Pacinian (lamellar) corpuscles are specialized for sensing __.

Deep pressure and vibration

Which bone shape category does the femur belong to?

Long bone

Give an example of a flat bone.

Sternum (other examples: ribs, cranial bones, scapula)

What is the functional unit of compact bone?

The osteon (Haversian system)

Spongy bone is composed of a network of __.

Trabeculae

Bone lengthening occurs at the __ plate.

Epiphyseal (growth) plate

Which cells are responsible for bone resorption?

Osteoclasts

Appositional growth increases bone __.

Thickness (diameter)

List the three structural classifications of joints.

Fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints

What is the functional classification of a freely movable joint?

Diarthrosis

Name the connective tissue sleeve surrounding a synovial joint.

Articular (joint) capsule

Synovial fluid is secreted by which inner membrane of a synovial joint?

Synovial membrane

The elbow is an example of which type of synovial joint?

Hinge joint

Which synovial joint type allows rotational movement around a single axis, as seen at the atlantoaxial joint?

Pivot joint

Flexion __ the angle between articulating bones.

Decreases

Moving a limb away from the body’s midline is called __.

Abduction

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces posteriorly is termed __.

Pronation

Standing on your heels with toes pulled upward is an example of __.

Dorsiflexion

Moving a body part anteriorly in a transverse plane, as when jutting the jaw forward, is __.

Protraction

Touching the thumb to the tips of the other fingers is called __.

Opposition

Which cartilaginous joint is found between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae?

Symphysis (specifically the intervertebral disc)

List two examples of fibrous joints.

Sutures of the skull and the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis

Circumduction is a circular motion that combines which four basic movements?

Flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction

Elevation refers to __.

Lifting a body part superiorly (e.g., closing the jaw)

Eversion turns the sole of the foot __.

Laterally

Which structure cushions and reduces friction between bones and ligaments or tendons in synovial joints?

Bursa

Glenohumeral joint stability is enhanced by the ring of fibrocartilage called the __.

Glenoid labrum

Name the fibrocartilage pads that improve fit and shock absorption in the knee joint.

Medial and lateral menisci

What ligament prevents anterior displacement of the tibia relative to the femur?

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

Give an example of a sesamoid bone.

Patella