WGU D312 Anatomy and
Physiology Exam Study Guide:
GRADED A+. Practice
Questions and Verified
Answers. Latest 2026 Update
What quadrant includes the left lobe of the liver, stomach, pancreas, and
portions of the small and large intestines? - Ans✔✔-Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
Which part of the plasma membrane binds a specific molecule outside the cell?
- Ans✔✔-Receptor
A receptor is a type of recognition protein that can selectively bind a specific
molecule outside the cell, and this binding induces a chemical reaction within
the cell.
What does it mean if an anatomical structure is caudal? - Ans✔✔-If an
anatomical structure is described as caudal, it means it is located towards the
tail or lower part of the body. In humans, this typically refers to a position
closer to the feet or the lower end of the spine.
For example, the legs are caudal to the arms, meaning they are situated lower
on the body compared to the arms.
,What is the role of an effector in a negative feedback system? - Ans✔✔-In a
negative feedback system, the effector plays a crucial role in maintaining
homeostasis by carrying out the response to a stimulus. Here's how it works:
Detection: A receptor detects a change in a physiological variable (e.g.,
temperature, blood sugar levels).
Signal Processing: The control center (often the brain or endocrine glands)
processes this information and determines the appropriate response.
Action: The effector enacts the response to counteract the initial change and
bring the variable back to its set point.
For example, if your body temperature drops, the effector (such as muscles
shivering) generates heat to raise your body temperature back to normal.
What is the correct order of the epidermis layer arranged from deep to
superficial? - Ans✔✔-1. Stratum basale (or stratum germinativum)
2. Stratum spinosum
3. Stratum granulosum
4. Stratum lucidum (only present in thick skin, such as the palms and soles)
5. Stratum corneum
Which skin layer contains Langerhans cells? - Ans✔✔-Langerhans cells are
primarily found in the stratum spinosum layer of the epidermis. These cells
play a key role in the skin's immune defense by acting as antigen-presenting
cells, which help detect and fight pathogens.
Which degree of burn affects the underlying bones and muscles? - Ans✔✔-
Fourth-degree burns are the most severe and affect not only all layers of the
skin but also the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. These burns often
,appear charred or white and are typically painless because the nerve endings
are destroyed.
Which part of the long bone has an epiphyseal line? - Ans✔✔-The epiphyseal
line is located at the junction between the diaphysis (the shaft or central part
of the bone) and the epiphysis (the end part of the bone) in long bones. This
line is a remnant of the epiphyseal plate (growth plate) and indicates that the
bone has completed its growth in length.
Which suture is present between the left and right parietal lobes? - Ans✔✔-
The suture present between the left and right parietal lobes is the sagittal
suture. This suture runs along the midline of the skull, connecting the two
parietal bones.
Which two bones form the pectoral girdle? - Ans✔✔-The pectoral girdle, also
known as the shoulder girdle, is formed by two bones: the clavicle (collarbone)
and the scapula (shoulder blade). These bones work together to connect the
upper limb to the axial skeleton and provide a wide range of motion for the
shoulder and arm.
What are the periodic invaginations in sarcolemma called? - Ans✔✔-The
periodic invaginations in the sarcolemma are called T-tubules (transverse
tubules). These structures play a crucial role in conducting electrical impulses
from the surface of the muscle fiber to its interior, ensuring that the muscle
contracts efficiently and uniformly.
Which medially placed group of muscles is part of the erector spinae? -
Ans✔✔-The spinalis muscles are the most medially placed group within the
erector spinae muscle group. These muscles are located closest to the spine
, and are responsible for extending and laterally flexing the cervical and thoracic
regions of the spine.
Which thigh muscle is situated below the adductor longus? - Ans✔✔-The
muscle situated below the adductor longus is the adductor magnus. This
muscle is a large, triangular muscle located in the medial compartment of the
thigh and plays a significant role in adducting and medially rotating the thigh
What is the role of oligodendrocytes? - Ans✔✔-Oligodendrocytes play a crucial
role in the central nervous system (CNS) by producing the myelin sheath that
insulates axons. This myelination is essential for the efficient transmission of
electrical impulses along nerve fibers, which helps in the rapid and coordinated
communication between neurons. Additionally, oligodendrocytes provide
metabolic support to neurons and contribute to maintaining a stable
microenvironment within the CNS.
Which membrane channel is able to open due to a physical distortion? -
Ans✔✔-The membrane channel that opens due to physical distortion is the
mechanically gated channel. These channels respond to mechanical changes
such as stretch, pressure, or vibration and are crucial in sensory processes like
touch and hearing.
Which nerve controls the lifting of the upper eyelid? - Ans✔✔-The nerve
responsible for controlling the lifting of the upper eyelid is the oculomotor
nerve (cranial nerve III). It innervates the levator palpebrae superioris muscle,
which is essential for elevating the upper eyelid.
Which hormones are secreted from the posterior pituitary gland? - Ans✔✔-The
posterior pituitary gland secretes two main hormones: oxytocin and
antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin.
Physiology Exam Study Guide:
GRADED A+. Practice
Questions and Verified
Answers. Latest 2026 Update
What quadrant includes the left lobe of the liver, stomach, pancreas, and
portions of the small and large intestines? - Ans✔✔-Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
Which part of the plasma membrane binds a specific molecule outside the cell?
- Ans✔✔-Receptor
A receptor is a type of recognition protein that can selectively bind a specific
molecule outside the cell, and this binding induces a chemical reaction within
the cell.
What does it mean if an anatomical structure is caudal? - Ans✔✔-If an
anatomical structure is described as caudal, it means it is located towards the
tail or lower part of the body. In humans, this typically refers to a position
closer to the feet or the lower end of the spine.
For example, the legs are caudal to the arms, meaning they are situated lower
on the body compared to the arms.
,What is the role of an effector in a negative feedback system? - Ans✔✔-In a
negative feedback system, the effector plays a crucial role in maintaining
homeostasis by carrying out the response to a stimulus. Here's how it works:
Detection: A receptor detects a change in a physiological variable (e.g.,
temperature, blood sugar levels).
Signal Processing: The control center (often the brain or endocrine glands)
processes this information and determines the appropriate response.
Action: The effector enacts the response to counteract the initial change and
bring the variable back to its set point.
For example, if your body temperature drops, the effector (such as muscles
shivering) generates heat to raise your body temperature back to normal.
What is the correct order of the epidermis layer arranged from deep to
superficial? - Ans✔✔-1. Stratum basale (or stratum germinativum)
2. Stratum spinosum
3. Stratum granulosum
4. Stratum lucidum (only present in thick skin, such as the palms and soles)
5. Stratum corneum
Which skin layer contains Langerhans cells? - Ans✔✔-Langerhans cells are
primarily found in the stratum spinosum layer of the epidermis. These cells
play a key role in the skin's immune defense by acting as antigen-presenting
cells, which help detect and fight pathogens.
Which degree of burn affects the underlying bones and muscles? - Ans✔✔-
Fourth-degree burns are the most severe and affect not only all layers of the
skin but also the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. These burns often
,appear charred or white and are typically painless because the nerve endings
are destroyed.
Which part of the long bone has an epiphyseal line? - Ans✔✔-The epiphyseal
line is located at the junction between the diaphysis (the shaft or central part
of the bone) and the epiphysis (the end part of the bone) in long bones. This
line is a remnant of the epiphyseal plate (growth plate) and indicates that the
bone has completed its growth in length.
Which suture is present between the left and right parietal lobes? - Ans✔✔-
The suture present between the left and right parietal lobes is the sagittal
suture. This suture runs along the midline of the skull, connecting the two
parietal bones.
Which two bones form the pectoral girdle? - Ans✔✔-The pectoral girdle, also
known as the shoulder girdle, is formed by two bones: the clavicle (collarbone)
and the scapula (shoulder blade). These bones work together to connect the
upper limb to the axial skeleton and provide a wide range of motion for the
shoulder and arm.
What are the periodic invaginations in sarcolemma called? - Ans✔✔-The
periodic invaginations in the sarcolemma are called T-tubules (transverse
tubules). These structures play a crucial role in conducting electrical impulses
from the surface of the muscle fiber to its interior, ensuring that the muscle
contracts efficiently and uniformly.
Which medially placed group of muscles is part of the erector spinae? -
Ans✔✔-The spinalis muscles are the most medially placed group within the
erector spinae muscle group. These muscles are located closest to the spine
, and are responsible for extending and laterally flexing the cervical and thoracic
regions of the spine.
Which thigh muscle is situated below the adductor longus? - Ans✔✔-The
muscle situated below the adductor longus is the adductor magnus. This
muscle is a large, triangular muscle located in the medial compartment of the
thigh and plays a significant role in adducting and medially rotating the thigh
What is the role of oligodendrocytes? - Ans✔✔-Oligodendrocytes play a crucial
role in the central nervous system (CNS) by producing the myelin sheath that
insulates axons. This myelination is essential for the efficient transmission of
electrical impulses along nerve fibers, which helps in the rapid and coordinated
communication between neurons. Additionally, oligodendrocytes provide
metabolic support to neurons and contribute to maintaining a stable
microenvironment within the CNS.
Which membrane channel is able to open due to a physical distortion? -
Ans✔✔-The membrane channel that opens due to physical distortion is the
mechanically gated channel. These channels respond to mechanical changes
such as stretch, pressure, or vibration and are crucial in sensory processes like
touch and hearing.
Which nerve controls the lifting of the upper eyelid? - Ans✔✔-The nerve
responsible for controlling the lifting of the upper eyelid is the oculomotor
nerve (cranial nerve III). It innervates the levator palpebrae superioris muscle,
which is essential for elevating the upper eyelid.
Which hormones are secreted from the posterior pituitary gland? - Ans✔✔-The
posterior pituitary gland secretes two main hormones: oxytocin and
antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin.
