BIOL251 Human Anatomy & Physiology I,
covering Modules 1 through 9. It includes 80+
multiple-choice questions with answers and
rationales latest 2026
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 1 Introduction to Anatomy & Chemistry of Life 1-12
Section 2 Cells & Tissues 13-25
Section 3 Integumentary System 26-32
Section 4 Skeletal System 33-42
Section 5 Muscular System 43-53
Section 6 Nervous System 54-68
Section 7 Special Senses 69-75
Section 8 Endocrine System 76-82
BIOL251 Final Exam Review
Section 1: Introduction to Anatomy & Chemistry of Life
1. Which of the following best describes the anatomical position?
A. Body lying face down, arms at sides
B. Body standing erect, feet parallel, palms facing forward
C. Body sitting upright with legs extended
D. Body facing sideways with palms facing backward
Answer: B. Body standing erect, feet parallel, palms facing forward
Rationale: The anatomical position is a standardized reference point where the body is erect, feet
slightly apart, and palms face forward. All directional terms (superior, inferior, etc.) are based on this
position .
2. The study of the function of the body and its parts is known as:
A. Anatomy
B. Histology
,C. Cytology
D. Physiology
Answer: D. Physiology
Rationale: Physiology is the study of how the body and its parts function. Anatomy is the study of their
structure .
3. A transverse plane divides the body into:
A. Right and left halves
B. Anterior and posterior sections
C. Superior and inferior sections
D. Internal and external sections
Answer: C. Superior and inferior sections
Rationale: A transverse (or horizontal) plane runs parallel to the ground, dividing the body into upper
(superior) and lower (inferior) portions.
4. The smallest level of structural organization in the human body that is considered living is the:
A. Chemical level
B. Cellular level
C. Tissue level
D. Organ level
Answer: B. Cellular level
Rationale: Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life. The chemical level (atoms,
molecules) is not considered living .
5. Which of the following elements makes up approximately 65% of the body's total mass?
A. Carbon (C)
B. Hydrogen (H)
C. Nitrogen (N)
D. Oxygen (O)
Answer: D. Oxygen (O)
Rationale: Oxygen makes up about 65% of the body's mass, primarily due to its presence in water.
Carbon is next at 18.5%, followed by Hydrogen (9.5%) and Nitrogen (3.2%) .
6. A subatomic particle that has a positive charge is a(n):
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Ion
Answer: A. Proton
Rationale: Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Neutrons are
neutral, and electrons are negatively charged .
7. The four most abundant elements in the human body, in order, are:
A. Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen
, B. Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
C. Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen
D. Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon
Answer: B. Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
Rationale: The correct order by percentage of body mass is Oxygen (65%), Carbon (18.5%), Hydrogen
(9.5%), and Nitrogen (3.2%) .
8. An example of an anabolic process is:
A. Glycolysis
B. Lipolysis
C. Protein synthesis
D. Cellular respiration
Answer: C. Protein synthesis
Rationale: Anabolism is the building up of complex molecules from simpler ones. Protein synthesis
builds proteins from amino acids. The other options are catabolic processes that break down molecules .
9. What type of bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms?
A. Ionic bond
B. Hydrogen bond
C. Covalent bond
D. Van der Waals interaction
Answer: C. Covalent bond
Rationale: Covalent bonds are strong chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electron pairs between
atoms.
10. The smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element is a(n):
A. Molecule
B. Atom
C. Proton
D. Compound
Answer: B. Atom
Rationale: An atom is the basic unit of an element. A molecule is formed when two or more atoms bond
together.
11. Homeostasis is best defined as:
A. A state of perfect, unchanging health
B. The ability of the body to respond to external stimuli
C. A condition of equilibrium or balance in the body's internal environment
D. The process of breaking down food for energy
Answer: C. A condition of equilibrium or balance in the body's internal environment
Rationale: Homeostasis refers to the dynamic state of balance maintained by the body's internal
environment, despite external changes .
covering Modules 1 through 9. It includes 80+
multiple-choice questions with answers and
rationales latest 2026
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 1 Introduction to Anatomy & Chemistry of Life 1-12
Section 2 Cells & Tissues 13-25
Section 3 Integumentary System 26-32
Section 4 Skeletal System 33-42
Section 5 Muscular System 43-53
Section 6 Nervous System 54-68
Section 7 Special Senses 69-75
Section 8 Endocrine System 76-82
BIOL251 Final Exam Review
Section 1: Introduction to Anatomy & Chemistry of Life
1. Which of the following best describes the anatomical position?
A. Body lying face down, arms at sides
B. Body standing erect, feet parallel, palms facing forward
C. Body sitting upright with legs extended
D. Body facing sideways with palms facing backward
Answer: B. Body standing erect, feet parallel, palms facing forward
Rationale: The anatomical position is a standardized reference point where the body is erect, feet
slightly apart, and palms face forward. All directional terms (superior, inferior, etc.) are based on this
position .
2. The study of the function of the body and its parts is known as:
A. Anatomy
B. Histology
,C. Cytology
D. Physiology
Answer: D. Physiology
Rationale: Physiology is the study of how the body and its parts function. Anatomy is the study of their
structure .
3. A transverse plane divides the body into:
A. Right and left halves
B. Anterior and posterior sections
C. Superior and inferior sections
D. Internal and external sections
Answer: C. Superior and inferior sections
Rationale: A transverse (or horizontal) plane runs parallel to the ground, dividing the body into upper
(superior) and lower (inferior) portions.
4. The smallest level of structural organization in the human body that is considered living is the:
A. Chemical level
B. Cellular level
C. Tissue level
D. Organ level
Answer: B. Cellular level
Rationale: Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life. The chemical level (atoms,
molecules) is not considered living .
5. Which of the following elements makes up approximately 65% of the body's total mass?
A. Carbon (C)
B. Hydrogen (H)
C. Nitrogen (N)
D. Oxygen (O)
Answer: D. Oxygen (O)
Rationale: Oxygen makes up about 65% of the body's mass, primarily due to its presence in water.
Carbon is next at 18.5%, followed by Hydrogen (9.5%) and Nitrogen (3.2%) .
6. A subatomic particle that has a positive charge is a(n):
A. Proton
B. Neutron
C. Electron
D. Ion
Answer: A. Proton
Rationale: Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Neutrons are
neutral, and electrons are negatively charged .
7. The four most abundant elements in the human body, in order, are:
A. Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen
, B. Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
C. Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen
D. Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon
Answer: B. Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
Rationale: The correct order by percentage of body mass is Oxygen (65%), Carbon (18.5%), Hydrogen
(9.5%), and Nitrogen (3.2%) .
8. An example of an anabolic process is:
A. Glycolysis
B. Lipolysis
C. Protein synthesis
D. Cellular respiration
Answer: C. Protein synthesis
Rationale: Anabolism is the building up of complex molecules from simpler ones. Protein synthesis
builds proteins from amino acids. The other options are catabolic processes that break down molecules .
9. What type of bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms?
A. Ionic bond
B. Hydrogen bond
C. Covalent bond
D. Van der Waals interaction
Answer: C. Covalent bond
Rationale: Covalent bonds are strong chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electron pairs between
atoms.
10. The smallest unit of an element that retains the properties of that element is a(n):
A. Molecule
B. Atom
C. Proton
D. Compound
Answer: B. Atom
Rationale: An atom is the basic unit of an element. A molecule is formed when two or more atoms bond
together.
11. Homeostasis is best defined as:
A. A state of perfect, unchanging health
B. The ability of the body to respond to external stimuli
C. A condition of equilibrium or balance in the body's internal environment
D. The process of breaking down food for energy
Answer: C. A condition of equilibrium or balance in the body's internal environment
Rationale: Homeostasis refers to the dynamic state of balance maintained by the body's internal
environment, despite external changes .
