Anatomy and Physiology Spring FINAL Exam Review 2026

What is the name for an individual muscle cell?

Myofiber

What term is used for a bundle of muscle cells?

Fascicle

What are the three types of muscle tissues?

Smooth (involuntary, organs), Cardiac (involuntary, heart), Skeletal (voluntary, moves bones).

What is fascia?

Connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, made of dense connective tissue.

What proteins slide past each other to cause muscle contraction?

Actin and myosin.

What is the primary function of sensory receptors?

To detect changes in the environment.

What is myelin and what is its function?

A fatty insulation around axons that speeds up nerve impulses.

What is an action potential?

An electrical impulse traveling down a neuron.

What are neurotransmitters?

Chemicals released at some synapses that carry signals across the synapse.

What comprises the central nervous system (CNS)?

The brain and spinal cord.

What is a reflex arc?

A rapid automatic response to a stimulus.

What are the four major brain regions?

Cerebrum, Cerebellum, Brainstem, Diencephalon.

What is the function of the Thalamus?

Relay station of the brain.

What are the major parts of the eye?

Optic nerve, sclera, cornea, pupil, iris, lens, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, retina.

What are the three major parts of the ear?

Outer ear (pinna, external auditory canal), Middle ear (ossicles, eardrum), Inner ear (cochlea, semicircular canals).

What is the function of the aorta?

Carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body.

What are erythrocytes?

Red blood cells that carry oxygen.

What is the function of the scrotum?

Protects testes and regulates temperature for sperm production.

What happens during ovulation?

Release of egg from the ovary.

What are sexually transmitted diseases?

Infections that are primarily transmitted through sexual contact.

What is the function of the liver?

Detoxifies and makes bile.

What does the spleen do?

Filters blood as part of the lymphatic/immune system.

What is the function of the thyroid gland?

Regulates metabolism.

What organ stores feces?

Rectum.

What is the role of cardiac muscle?\n\n

To pump blood throughout the heart and body.\n\n

What kind of muscle tissue is found in the digestive tract?\n\n

Smooth muscle.\n\n

What is the function of the nervous system?\n\n

To transmit signals between different parts of the body and coordinate responses.\n\n

What is the primary function of the kidneys?\n\n

To filter blood and produce urine.\n\n

What is the role of the pancreas in the body?\n\n

To produce enzymes for digestion and hormones like insulin.\n\n

What is the function of alveoli?\n\n

To exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.\n\n

What is skin's role in the body?\n\n

To protect internal organs, regulate temperature, and provide sensory information.\n\n

What do T-cells do in the immune system?\n\n

They help recognize and destroy infected or cancerous cells.\n\n

What is the role of the small intestine?\n\n

To absorb nutrients from digested food.\n\n

What is the function of the cerebellum?\n\n

To coordinate and fine-tune motor movements and balance.\n\n