TEAS ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 NEWEST
UPDATE ACTUAL EXAM WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS.
Question 1
Which of the following describes the three primary components that all cells contain, regardless
of their specific type or function?
A) Ribosomes, Mitochondria, and Lysosomes
B) DNA, RNA, and the ability to synthesize proteins
C) A cell wall, a nucleus, and chloroplasts
D) Flagella, Cilia, and a Golgi apparatus
E) Rough ER, Smooth ER, and Vacuoles
Correct Answer: B) DNA, RNA, and the ability to synthesize proteins
Rationale: While cells are incredibly diverse, biological principles state that all living cells
must contain genetic material in the form of DNA and RNA and possess the biochemical
machinery necessary to synthesize proteins. Proteins are the "workhorses" of the cell, and
the instructions for building them are encoded in the nucleic acids.
Question 2
Every cell is filled with a fluid-like substance that provides a medium for chemical reactions.
What are the two terms used to describe this fluid?
A) Nucleoplasm and cristae
B) Phospholipid and cholesterol
C) Cytoplasm or cytosol
D) Glycoprotein and glycolipid
E) Matrix and stroma
Correct Answer: C) Cytoplasm or cytosol
Rationale: The cytosol is the liquid material within the cell, consisting mostly of water but
also containing dissolved molecules. The term cytoplasm refers to the cytosol plus all the
organelles and substructures found within the plasma membrane, excluding the nucleus.
Question 3
The structural integrity of a cell's membrane is primarily provided by which of the following
biological molecules?
A) Triglycerides
B) Nucleic acids
C) Phospholipids
D) Amino acids
E) Simple sugars
Correct Answer: C) Phospholipids
Rationale: The cell membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer. Phospholipids are
amphipathic molecules, meaning they have a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a
, 2
hydrophobic (water-fearing) tail. This arrangement allows the membrane to form a stable
barrier between the aqueous environments inside and outside the cell.
Question 4
When analyzing the basic structural composition of a cell, which three elements are present in
every individual cell?
A) Nucleic acids, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
B) DNA, centrioles, and ribosomes
C) Nucleolus, nuclear pores, and nuclear envelope
D) Golgi complex, vacuoles, and vesicles
E) Mitochondria, lysosomes, and cytoskeleton
Correct Answer: A) Nucleic acids, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
Rationale: At the most fundamental level, every cell consists of nucleic acids (to store and
transmit genetic information), cytoplasm (the internal fluid and structures), and a cell
membrane (which defines the cell's boundary and regulates transport).
Question 5
What is the single most defining feature that all cells have in common?
A) They all possess a rigid cell wall.
B) They all contain a membrane-bound nucleus.
C) They all have a cell membrane.
D) They all utilize flagella for movement.
E) They all contain chloroplasts for energy production.
Correct Answer: C) They have a cell membrane
Rationale: While some cells lack a nucleus (prokaryotes) or a cell wall (animal cells), every
single living cell is defined by a cell membrane (or plasma membrane). This membrane acts
as a selective barrier, maintaining the distinct internal environment necessary for life.
Question 6
Which small cellular structure is responsible for containing chromosomes and regulating the
overall activities of the cell?
A) Ribosome
B) Golgi complex
C) Nucleus
D) Centrosome
E) Lysosome
Correct Answer: C) Nucleus
Rationale: The nucleus is often referred to as the "control center" of the cell. It houses the
, 3
cell's genetic material (DNA) in the form of chromosomes and coordinates cell activities
such as growth, intermediary metabolism, protein synthesis, and reproduction.
Question 7
The nucleus plays a critical role in heredity. Which of the following is it specifically responsible
for?
A) Digestion of waste products
B) Synthesis of ATP via aerobic respiration
C) The passing on of genetic traits
D) Maintaining cell shape via microtubules
E) Moving fluid across the cell surface
Correct Answer: C) The passing on of genetic traits
Rationale: The nucleus contains the genetic information of the organism. Through the
interaction of nuclear pores, chromatin, and ribosomes, it directs the passing on of genetic
traits during cell division and manages the expression of those traits through protein
synthesis.
Question 8
What are the highly condensed, threadlike rods of DNA found within the nucleus called?
A) Microtubules
B) Cristae
C) Chromosomes
D) Filaments
E) Vesicles
Correct Answer: C) Chromosomes
Rationale: DNA is organized into structures called chromosomes. When a cell is preparing
to divide, the DNA becomes highly condensed into these threadlike rods, making it easier to
distribute the genetic material accurately to the daughter cells.
Question 9
The acronym DNA stands for which of the following?
A) Deoxyribonucleic acid
B) Detached nucleic atom
C) Dual nitrogenous acid
D) Deoxidized nitric acid
E) Deuterium nucleic assembly
Correct Answer: A) Deoxyribonucleic acid
Rationale: DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is the fundamental hereditary material
, 4
in humans and almost all other organisms. It is composed of two strands that form a
double helix.
Question 10
Which statement best describes the primary function of DNA within a cell?
A) It acts as a vehicle to move materials within the cell.
B) It stores genetic information about the organism.
C) It digests lipids and carbohydrates.
D) It provides mechanical strength to the cell membrane.
E) It is the liquid material that fills the nucleus.
Correct Answer: B) It stores genetic information about the organism.
Rationale: DNA is the storage molecule for biological information. It contains the
instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive, and reproduce. These instructions
are found within every cell and are passed down from parents to offspring.
Question 11
Chromatin is a substance found within the nucleus. What is its composition?
A) Phospholipids and cholesterol
B) Carbohydrates and lipids
C) DNA and protein
D) RNA and ribosomes
E) Microtubules and cytosol
Correct Answer: C) This consists of the DNA and protein that make up chromosomes
Rationale: Chromatin is the material that makes up chromosomes. It consists of a complex
of DNA and proteins (mostly histones). The protein helps package the long DNA strands
into a compact, organized shape that fits inside the nucleus.
Question 12
Which structure is located within the nucleus, consists primarily of protein, and is responsible for
synthesizing and storing RNA?
A) Nuclear envelope
B) Nucleolus
C) Nucleoplasm
D) Nuclear pore
E) Centriole
Correct Answer: B) Nucleolus
Rationale: The nucleolus is a dense region within the nucleus. Unlike the nucleus itself, it is
not membrane-bound. Its primary function is the synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and
the assembly of ribosomes, which are then exported to the cytoplasm.
UPDATE ACTUAL EXAM WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS.
Question 1
Which of the following describes the three primary components that all cells contain, regardless
of their specific type or function?
A) Ribosomes, Mitochondria, and Lysosomes
B) DNA, RNA, and the ability to synthesize proteins
C) A cell wall, a nucleus, and chloroplasts
D) Flagella, Cilia, and a Golgi apparatus
E) Rough ER, Smooth ER, and Vacuoles
Correct Answer: B) DNA, RNA, and the ability to synthesize proteins
Rationale: While cells are incredibly diverse, biological principles state that all living cells
must contain genetic material in the form of DNA and RNA and possess the biochemical
machinery necessary to synthesize proteins. Proteins are the "workhorses" of the cell, and
the instructions for building them are encoded in the nucleic acids.
Question 2
Every cell is filled with a fluid-like substance that provides a medium for chemical reactions.
What are the two terms used to describe this fluid?
A) Nucleoplasm and cristae
B) Phospholipid and cholesterol
C) Cytoplasm or cytosol
D) Glycoprotein and glycolipid
E) Matrix and stroma
Correct Answer: C) Cytoplasm or cytosol
Rationale: The cytosol is the liquid material within the cell, consisting mostly of water but
also containing dissolved molecules. The term cytoplasm refers to the cytosol plus all the
organelles and substructures found within the plasma membrane, excluding the nucleus.
Question 3
The structural integrity of a cell's membrane is primarily provided by which of the following
biological molecules?
A) Triglycerides
B) Nucleic acids
C) Phospholipids
D) Amino acids
E) Simple sugars
Correct Answer: C) Phospholipids
Rationale: The cell membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer. Phospholipids are
amphipathic molecules, meaning they have a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a
, 2
hydrophobic (water-fearing) tail. This arrangement allows the membrane to form a stable
barrier between the aqueous environments inside and outside the cell.
Question 4
When analyzing the basic structural composition of a cell, which three elements are present in
every individual cell?
A) Nucleic acids, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
B) DNA, centrioles, and ribosomes
C) Nucleolus, nuclear pores, and nuclear envelope
D) Golgi complex, vacuoles, and vesicles
E) Mitochondria, lysosomes, and cytoskeleton
Correct Answer: A) Nucleic acids, cytoplasm, and cell membrane
Rationale: At the most fundamental level, every cell consists of nucleic acids (to store and
transmit genetic information), cytoplasm (the internal fluid and structures), and a cell
membrane (which defines the cell's boundary and regulates transport).
Question 5
What is the single most defining feature that all cells have in common?
A) They all possess a rigid cell wall.
B) They all contain a membrane-bound nucleus.
C) They all have a cell membrane.
D) They all utilize flagella for movement.
E) They all contain chloroplasts for energy production.
Correct Answer: C) They have a cell membrane
Rationale: While some cells lack a nucleus (prokaryotes) or a cell wall (animal cells), every
single living cell is defined by a cell membrane (or plasma membrane). This membrane acts
as a selective barrier, maintaining the distinct internal environment necessary for life.
Question 6
Which small cellular structure is responsible for containing chromosomes and regulating the
overall activities of the cell?
A) Ribosome
B) Golgi complex
C) Nucleus
D) Centrosome
E) Lysosome
Correct Answer: C) Nucleus
Rationale: The nucleus is often referred to as the "control center" of the cell. It houses the
, 3
cell's genetic material (DNA) in the form of chromosomes and coordinates cell activities
such as growth, intermediary metabolism, protein synthesis, and reproduction.
Question 7
The nucleus plays a critical role in heredity. Which of the following is it specifically responsible
for?
A) Digestion of waste products
B) Synthesis of ATP via aerobic respiration
C) The passing on of genetic traits
D) Maintaining cell shape via microtubules
E) Moving fluid across the cell surface
Correct Answer: C) The passing on of genetic traits
Rationale: The nucleus contains the genetic information of the organism. Through the
interaction of nuclear pores, chromatin, and ribosomes, it directs the passing on of genetic
traits during cell division and manages the expression of those traits through protein
synthesis.
Question 8
What are the highly condensed, threadlike rods of DNA found within the nucleus called?
A) Microtubules
B) Cristae
C) Chromosomes
D) Filaments
E) Vesicles
Correct Answer: C) Chromosomes
Rationale: DNA is organized into structures called chromosomes. When a cell is preparing
to divide, the DNA becomes highly condensed into these threadlike rods, making it easier to
distribute the genetic material accurately to the daughter cells.
Question 9
The acronym DNA stands for which of the following?
A) Deoxyribonucleic acid
B) Detached nucleic atom
C) Dual nitrogenous acid
D) Deoxidized nitric acid
E) Deuterium nucleic assembly
Correct Answer: A) Deoxyribonucleic acid
Rationale: DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is the fundamental hereditary material
, 4
in humans and almost all other organisms. It is composed of two strands that form a
double helix.
Question 10
Which statement best describes the primary function of DNA within a cell?
A) It acts as a vehicle to move materials within the cell.
B) It stores genetic information about the organism.
C) It digests lipids and carbohydrates.
D) It provides mechanical strength to the cell membrane.
E) It is the liquid material that fills the nucleus.
Correct Answer: B) It stores genetic information about the organism.
Rationale: DNA is the storage molecule for biological information. It contains the
instructions needed for an organism to develop, survive, and reproduce. These instructions
are found within every cell and are passed down from parents to offspring.
Question 11
Chromatin is a substance found within the nucleus. What is its composition?
A) Phospholipids and cholesterol
B) Carbohydrates and lipids
C) DNA and protein
D) RNA and ribosomes
E) Microtubules and cytosol
Correct Answer: C) This consists of the DNA and protein that make up chromosomes
Rationale: Chromatin is the material that makes up chromosomes. It consists of a complex
of DNA and proteins (mostly histones). The protein helps package the long DNA strands
into a compact, organized shape that fits inside the nucleus.
Question 12
Which structure is located within the nucleus, consists primarily of protein, and is responsible for
synthesizing and storing RNA?
A) Nuclear envelope
B) Nucleolus
C) Nucleoplasm
D) Nuclear pore
E) Centriole
Correct Answer: B) Nucleolus
Rationale: The nucleolus is a dense region within the nucleus. Unlike the nucleus itself, it is
not membrane-bound. Its primary function is the synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and
the assembly of ribosomes, which are then exported to the cytoplasm.
