BIOL251 HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I
– MODULE & LAB 3 (2026) | VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | PORTAGE
LEARNING
• This document contains 200 verified MCQ questions for BIOL251 Human Anatomy
& Physiology I – Module & Lab 3 (2026), covering all core topics tested in the
Portage Learning exam.
• Use this material by reading each question, selecting your answer, then checking
the highlighted correct option and EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding
and plug knowledge gaps.
1. Which of the following best describes the function of the skeletal system?
A. Produce hormones for metabolism
B. Filter waste products from the blood
C. Regulate body temperature
D. Provide support, protection, and movement
E. Facilitate gas exchange in the lungs
✔ D. Provide support, protection, and movement
EXPERT RATIONALE: The skeletal system provides structural support to the body,
protects vital organs such as the brain and heart, and works with muscles to enable
movement.
2. The axial skeleton consists of which of the following structures?
A. Pectoral girdle, upper limbs, and pelvic girdle
B. Femur, tibia, and fibula
C. Skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage
D. Clavicle, scapula, and humerus
,E. Carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges
✔ C. Skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage
EXPERT RATIONALE: The axial skeleton forms the central axis of the body and includes
the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage (ribs and sternum).
3. Which type of bone is the femur classified as?
A. Short bone
B. Flat bone
C. Irregular bone
D. Sesamoid bone
E. Long bone
✔ E. Long bone
EXPERT RATIONALE: The femur is a long bone characterized by its length being greater
than its width. Long bones include the bones of the limbs and serve as levers for
movement.
4. The diaphysis of a long bone refers to:
A. The expanded end of a long bone
B. The growth plate found in children
C. The shaft or main cylindrical portion of a long bone
D. The thin membrane covering the outer surface
E. The cavity filled with red bone marrow
✔ C. The shaft or main cylindrical portion of a long bone
EXPERT RATIONALE: The diaphysis is the long central shaft of a long bone composed
primarily of compact bone, surrounding the medullary cavity.
,5. Which of the following is the correct term for the expanded ends of a long
bone?
A. Diaphysis
B. Periosteum
C. Endosteum
D. Epiphysis
E. Metaphysis
✔ D. Epiphysis
EXPERT RATIONALE: The epiphyses are the proximal and distal ends of long bones,
composed largely of spongy bone covered by a thin layer of compact bone.
6. The periosteum is best described as:
A. The inner lining of the medullary cavity
B. The cartilage found at articulating surfaces
C. The fibrous membrane covering the outer surface of bone
D. The region where bone growth in length occurs
E. The network of canals within compact bone
✔ C. The fibrous membrane covering the outer surface of bone
EXPERT RATIONALE: The periosteum is a dense irregular connective tissue membrane
covering all outer bone surfaces except articular cartilage. It contains osteoblasts for
bone growth and repair.
7. Red bone marrow is primarily responsible for:
A. Fat storage
, B. Hematopoiesis (blood cell production)
C. Calcium storage
D. Hormone production
E. Bone remodeling
✔ B. Hematopoiesis (blood cell production)
EXPERT RATIONALE: Red bone marrow is the site of hematopoiesis, producing red blood
cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In adults it is found mainly in flat bones and
epiphyses of long bones.
8. Which cells are responsible for bone formation?
A. Osteoclasts
B. Chondrocytes
C. Osteocytes
D. Osteoblasts
E. Fibroblasts
✔ D. Osteoblasts
EXPERT RATIONALE: Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that synthesize and secrete the
organic components of bone matrix (osteoid) and initiate the mineralization process.
9. Osteoclasts function primarily to:
A. Produce new bone matrix
B. Maintain mature bone tissue
C. Resorb (break down) bone tissue
D. Convert cartilage into bone
E. Secrete collagen fibers
– MODULE & LAB 3 (2026) | VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | PORTAGE
LEARNING
• This document contains 200 verified MCQ questions for BIOL251 Human Anatomy
& Physiology I – Module & Lab 3 (2026), covering all core topics tested in the
Portage Learning exam.
• Use this material by reading each question, selecting your answer, then checking
the highlighted correct option and EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding
and plug knowledge gaps.
1. Which of the following best describes the function of the skeletal system?
A. Produce hormones for metabolism
B. Filter waste products from the blood
C. Regulate body temperature
D. Provide support, protection, and movement
E. Facilitate gas exchange in the lungs
✔ D. Provide support, protection, and movement
EXPERT RATIONALE: The skeletal system provides structural support to the body,
protects vital organs such as the brain and heart, and works with muscles to enable
movement.
2. The axial skeleton consists of which of the following structures?
A. Pectoral girdle, upper limbs, and pelvic girdle
B. Femur, tibia, and fibula
C. Skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage
D. Clavicle, scapula, and humerus
,E. Carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges
✔ C. Skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage
EXPERT RATIONALE: The axial skeleton forms the central axis of the body and includes
the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage (ribs and sternum).
3. Which type of bone is the femur classified as?
A. Short bone
B. Flat bone
C. Irregular bone
D. Sesamoid bone
E. Long bone
✔ E. Long bone
EXPERT RATIONALE: The femur is a long bone characterized by its length being greater
than its width. Long bones include the bones of the limbs and serve as levers for
movement.
4. The diaphysis of a long bone refers to:
A. The expanded end of a long bone
B. The growth plate found in children
C. The shaft or main cylindrical portion of a long bone
D. The thin membrane covering the outer surface
E. The cavity filled with red bone marrow
✔ C. The shaft or main cylindrical portion of a long bone
EXPERT RATIONALE: The diaphysis is the long central shaft of a long bone composed
primarily of compact bone, surrounding the medullary cavity.
,5. Which of the following is the correct term for the expanded ends of a long
bone?
A. Diaphysis
B. Periosteum
C. Endosteum
D. Epiphysis
E. Metaphysis
✔ D. Epiphysis
EXPERT RATIONALE: The epiphyses are the proximal and distal ends of long bones,
composed largely of spongy bone covered by a thin layer of compact bone.
6. The periosteum is best described as:
A. The inner lining of the medullary cavity
B. The cartilage found at articulating surfaces
C. The fibrous membrane covering the outer surface of bone
D. The region where bone growth in length occurs
E. The network of canals within compact bone
✔ C. The fibrous membrane covering the outer surface of bone
EXPERT RATIONALE: The periosteum is a dense irregular connective tissue membrane
covering all outer bone surfaces except articular cartilage. It contains osteoblasts for
bone growth and repair.
7. Red bone marrow is primarily responsible for:
A. Fat storage
, B. Hematopoiesis (blood cell production)
C. Calcium storage
D. Hormone production
E. Bone remodeling
✔ B. Hematopoiesis (blood cell production)
EXPERT RATIONALE: Red bone marrow is the site of hematopoiesis, producing red blood
cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In adults it is found mainly in flat bones and
epiphyses of long bones.
8. Which cells are responsible for bone formation?
A. Osteoclasts
B. Chondrocytes
C. Osteocytes
D. Osteoblasts
E. Fibroblasts
✔ D. Osteoblasts
EXPERT RATIONALE: Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that synthesize and secrete the
organic components of bone matrix (osteoid) and initiate the mineralization process.
9. Osteoclasts function primarily to:
A. Produce new bone matrix
B. Maintain mature bone tissue
C. Resorb (break down) bone tissue
D. Convert cartilage into bone
E. Secrete collagen fibers
