Page | 1
WGU D027 COURSE MATERIAL 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | A+
GRADED | WITH EXPERT SOLUTIONS
Which of the following is not a cellular function? - correct answer-
Combustion -
All living cells must absorb and metabolize sources of energy,
excrete waste and by-products of those processes, and
reproduce to continue offspring. Pyrotechnic processes (i.e.
combustion) are generally metaphorical.
What are mitochondria responsible for? - correct answer-Energy
production -
Mitochondria are the energy production organelles of the cell
responsible for the major metabolic processes of creating units of
energy (e.g., ATP).
Which if the following can cause edema? - correct answer-
Increased lymphatic pressure -
Decreased vascular and lymphatic pressure does not generally
result in the movement and accumulation of fluid into
extravascular spaces. Increased plasma pressure in the vascular
results in hypertension, while increased lymphatic pressure will
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readily result in the pooling of lymphatic drainage into third spaces
(i.e. edema).
Which of the following best describes the result of cellular
reproduction? - correct answer-Two diploid cells, called daughter
cells, are produced -
The resultant offspring of cellular reproduction is the creation of
two daughter cells after the completion of mitosis or meiosis.
Interphase is the longest period that a cell spends its life cycle
and is the preparatory stage before cellular reproduction.
Anaphase is the separation of genetic materials to the opposing
centromeres of the cell, followed by telophase.
What indicates hypokalemia? - correct answer-Serum K
decreases to less than 3.5 -
Normal serum potassium (K), also known as eukalemia, is
generally 3.5-5.5 mEq/L, with some variations of +/- 0.1-0.3
mEq/L depending on the laboratory testing, age, and other
potential patient-specific conditions and variations. Alterations in
fluid volume or the administration of a supplement alone do not
necessarily contribute to the development of hypokalemia.
What is an example of both hyperplasia and hypertrophy? -
correct answer-Uterine enlargement due to pregnancy -
, Page | 3
Hyperplasia is the increase in the number of cells of an organ or
tissue, while hypertrophy is the enlargement of the cells of a given
organ or tissue without a change in the number of cells. Muscle
cells grow and enlarge (hypertrophy) in response to increased
work or stress from exercise or increased cardiovascular
pressures. When a liver is damaged or part of it is removed, it is
the one internal solid organ capable of regeneration to repair itself
creating more cells (hyperplasia). During pregnancy, the uterus
must both grow to create more cells and enlarge those existing
cells in preparation for the support of a fetus.
What regulates the sodium balance? - correct answer-
Aldosterone -
Aldosterone is a regulatory hormone produced by the adrenal
glands to affect the kidneys' regulation of sodium, potassium, and
water excretion.
What is the alteration if the extracellular fluid volume is less than
normal? - correct answer-Hypotonic -
In hypotonic states, the cell size is increased as a result of water
moving from the extracellular fluid (ECF) into the cell to increase
intracellular fluid. Iso- or normotonic states are a balanced state
between intra- and extracellular fluid volumes. Hypertonic states
cause water to shift out of the cell to increase the ECF above
normal.
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When in excess, what do buffers absorb? - correct answer-
Hydrogen -
Excesses of acid or base, H+ or hydroxyl ion (OH−), are absorbed
for the purpose of maintaining pH homeostasis (pH of 7.38-7.42)
Which of the following would a patient with metabolic acidosis
have? - correct answer-pH below 7.35; Bicarbonate level below
22 mEq/L -
The diagnosis of metabolic acidosis requires that the testing of
arterial blood finds that the pH is less than 7.35 and the
bicarbonate level is less than 22 mEq/L.
What is the process by which RNA directs the synthesis of
polypeptides? - correct answer-Translation -
Translation refers to this process. Transcription is another
process in which RNA is synthesized. Mutation means genetic
material has been modified through inheritance. Creation is a
term that does not apply in this context.
What is the recurrence rate for autosomal dominant disease? -
correct answer-50% -
WGU D027 COURSE MATERIAL 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | A+
GRADED | WITH EXPERT SOLUTIONS
Which of the following is not a cellular function? - correct answer-
Combustion -
All living cells must absorb and metabolize sources of energy,
excrete waste and by-products of those processes, and
reproduce to continue offspring. Pyrotechnic processes (i.e.
combustion) are generally metaphorical.
What are mitochondria responsible for? - correct answer-Energy
production -
Mitochondria are the energy production organelles of the cell
responsible for the major metabolic processes of creating units of
energy (e.g., ATP).
Which if the following can cause edema? - correct answer-
Increased lymphatic pressure -
Decreased vascular and lymphatic pressure does not generally
result in the movement and accumulation of fluid into
extravascular spaces. Increased plasma pressure in the vascular
results in hypertension, while increased lymphatic pressure will
, Page | 2
readily result in the pooling of lymphatic drainage into third spaces
(i.e. edema).
Which of the following best describes the result of cellular
reproduction? - correct answer-Two diploid cells, called daughter
cells, are produced -
The resultant offspring of cellular reproduction is the creation of
two daughter cells after the completion of mitosis or meiosis.
Interphase is the longest period that a cell spends its life cycle
and is the preparatory stage before cellular reproduction.
Anaphase is the separation of genetic materials to the opposing
centromeres of the cell, followed by telophase.
What indicates hypokalemia? - correct answer-Serum K
decreases to less than 3.5 -
Normal serum potassium (K), also known as eukalemia, is
generally 3.5-5.5 mEq/L, with some variations of +/- 0.1-0.3
mEq/L depending on the laboratory testing, age, and other
potential patient-specific conditions and variations. Alterations in
fluid volume or the administration of a supplement alone do not
necessarily contribute to the development of hypokalemia.
What is an example of both hyperplasia and hypertrophy? -
correct answer-Uterine enlargement due to pregnancy -
, Page | 3
Hyperplasia is the increase in the number of cells of an organ or
tissue, while hypertrophy is the enlargement of the cells of a given
organ or tissue without a change in the number of cells. Muscle
cells grow and enlarge (hypertrophy) in response to increased
work or stress from exercise or increased cardiovascular
pressures. When a liver is damaged or part of it is removed, it is
the one internal solid organ capable of regeneration to repair itself
creating more cells (hyperplasia). During pregnancy, the uterus
must both grow to create more cells and enlarge those existing
cells in preparation for the support of a fetus.
What regulates the sodium balance? - correct answer-
Aldosterone -
Aldosterone is a regulatory hormone produced by the adrenal
glands to affect the kidneys' regulation of sodium, potassium, and
water excretion.
What is the alteration if the extracellular fluid volume is less than
normal? - correct answer-Hypotonic -
In hypotonic states, the cell size is increased as a result of water
moving from the extracellular fluid (ECF) into the cell to increase
intracellular fluid. Iso- or normotonic states are a balanced state
between intra- and extracellular fluid volumes. Hypertonic states
cause water to shift out of the cell to increase the ECF above
normal.
, Page | 4
When in excess, what do buffers absorb? - correct answer-
Hydrogen -
Excesses of acid or base, H+ or hydroxyl ion (OH−), are absorbed
for the purpose of maintaining pH homeostasis (pH of 7.38-7.42)
Which of the following would a patient with metabolic acidosis
have? - correct answer-pH below 7.35; Bicarbonate level below
22 mEq/L -
The diagnosis of metabolic acidosis requires that the testing of
arterial blood finds that the pH is less than 7.35 and the
bicarbonate level is less than 22 mEq/L.
What is the process by which RNA directs the synthesis of
polypeptides? - correct answer-Translation -
Translation refers to this process. Transcription is another
process in which RNA is synthesized. Mutation means genetic
material has been modified through inheritance. Creation is a
term that does not apply in this context.
What is the recurrence rate for autosomal dominant disease? -
correct answer-50% -
