SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
Department of Biology
SFSU BIO 230
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY EXAMINATION 2
2026/2027 Academic Year
50 Multiple-Choice Questions | NREMT-Aligned Undergraduate Physiology Curriculum
_______________________________________________
, SFSU BIO 230 | Human Physiology Examination 2 | 2026/2027
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Neurophysiology & Membrane Potentials ............................................................................................... 2
2. General ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
3. Synaptic Transmission ............................................................................................................................10
4. Central & Peripheral Nervous System Organization .............................................................................10
5. Muscle Physiology ................................................................................................................................... 11
6. Sensory Systems Basics ........................................................................................................................... 11
7. Endocrine System Fundamentals ........................................................................................................... 11
8. Homeostatic Control Systems ................................................................................................................ 12
9. Laboratory Methods & Data Interpretation ........................................................................................... 12
10. Scenario-Based Clinical Decision-Making ........................................................................................... 12
Page 1 of 14
, SFSU BIO 230 | Human Physiology Examination 2 | 2026/2027
1. Neurophysiology & Membrane Potentials
Questions 1–1
1. What is the approximate resting membrane potential of a typical neuron?
A. -70 mV
B. +30 mV
C. 0 mV
D. -90 mV
Answer: A. -70 mV
Rationale: The resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is approximately -70 mV,
maintained primarily by the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump and differential membrane permeability to
K⁺ ions.
2. General
Questions 2–49
2. Which ion channel type is responsible for the rising phase (depolarization) of the
action potential?
A. Voltage-gated K⁺ channels
B. Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels
C. Ligand-gated Cl⁻ channels
D. Leak channels
Answer: B. Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels
Rationale: Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels open rapidly upon reaching threshold (-55 mV),
allowing Na⁺ influx that drives the membrane potential toward +30 mV during depolarization.
3. The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump transports which ions and in what direction?
A. 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ in
B. 2 Na⁺ out and 3 K⁺ in
C. 3 Na⁺ in and 2 K⁺ out
D. 2 Na⁺ in and 3 K⁺ out
Answer: A. 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ in
Rationale: The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase actively transports 3 Na⁺ ions out and 2 K⁺ ions in per ATP
hydrolyzed, creating electrochemical gradients essential for the resting membrane potential.
4. During the absolute refractory period, a second action potential cannot be generated
because:
A. K⁺ channels are still open
B. Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels are inactivated
C. The membrane is hyperpolarized
D. Cl⁻ channels are activated
Answer: B. Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels are inactivated
Rationale: During the absolute refractory period, voltage-gated Na⁺ channels are inactivated
and cannot reopen regardless of stimulus strength, preventing another action potential.
5. What causes the falling phase (repolarization) of the action potential?
A. Na⁺ influx decreasing
B. K⁺ efflux through voltage-gated K⁺ channels
Page 2 of 14
Department of Biology
SFSU BIO 230
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY EXAMINATION 2
2026/2027 Academic Year
50 Multiple-Choice Questions | NREMT-Aligned Undergraduate Physiology Curriculum
_______________________________________________
, SFSU BIO 230 | Human Physiology Examination 2 | 2026/2027
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Neurophysiology & Membrane Potentials ............................................................................................... 2
2. General ...................................................................................................................................................... 2
3. Synaptic Transmission ............................................................................................................................10
4. Central & Peripheral Nervous System Organization .............................................................................10
5. Muscle Physiology ................................................................................................................................... 11
6. Sensory Systems Basics ........................................................................................................................... 11
7. Endocrine System Fundamentals ........................................................................................................... 11
8. Homeostatic Control Systems ................................................................................................................ 12
9. Laboratory Methods & Data Interpretation ........................................................................................... 12
10. Scenario-Based Clinical Decision-Making ........................................................................................... 12
Page 1 of 14
, SFSU BIO 230 | Human Physiology Examination 2 | 2026/2027
1. Neurophysiology & Membrane Potentials
Questions 1–1
1. What is the approximate resting membrane potential of a typical neuron?
A. -70 mV
B. +30 mV
C. 0 mV
D. -90 mV
Answer: A. -70 mV
Rationale: The resting membrane potential of a typical neuron is approximately -70 mV,
maintained primarily by the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump and differential membrane permeability to
K⁺ ions.
2. General
Questions 2–49
2. Which ion channel type is responsible for the rising phase (depolarization) of the
action potential?
A. Voltage-gated K⁺ channels
B. Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels
C. Ligand-gated Cl⁻ channels
D. Leak channels
Answer: B. Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels
Rationale: Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels open rapidly upon reaching threshold (-55 mV),
allowing Na⁺ influx that drives the membrane potential toward +30 mV during depolarization.
3. The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pump transports which ions and in what direction?
A. 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ in
B. 2 Na⁺ out and 3 K⁺ in
C. 3 Na⁺ in and 2 K⁺ out
D. 2 Na⁺ in and 3 K⁺ out
Answer: A. 3 Na⁺ out and 2 K⁺ in
Rationale: The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase actively transports 3 Na⁺ ions out and 2 K⁺ ions in per ATP
hydrolyzed, creating electrochemical gradients essential for the resting membrane potential.
4. During the absolute refractory period, a second action potential cannot be generated
because:
A. K⁺ channels are still open
B. Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels are inactivated
C. The membrane is hyperpolarized
D. Cl⁻ channels are activated
Answer: B. Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels are inactivated
Rationale: During the absolute refractory period, voltage-gated Na⁺ channels are inactivated
and cannot reopen regardless of stimulus strength, preventing another action potential.
5. What causes the falling phase (repolarization) of the action potential?
A. Na⁺ influx decreasing
B. K⁺ efflux through voltage-gated K⁺ channels
Page 2 of 14
