MCPHS Anatomy and Physiology Exam Questions
and Answers
Question 1
Voltage gated ion channels and the action potential
Correct Answer
1. resting membrane potential; some K+ channels are closed,
K+ diffuses down the concentration gradient through the
open K+ channels, making the inside of the cell negatively
charged
2. depolarization; Na+ channels are open, so Na+ diffuses
down the concentration gradient making the cell membrane
more positively charged
3. Repolarization. Na+ channels are closed, and Na+
movement into cell stops. K+ channels open, K+ movement
out of cell increases making membrane more negatively
charged again
Question 2
eccentric muscle contraction
Correct Answer
tension maintained but muscle lengthens
Question 3
muscles of the thorax
Correct Answer
diaphragm, internal and external intercostals, scalene muscles
(anterior, medial, posterior)
Page 1 of 336
,Question 4
levator scapulae
Correct Answer
origin: transverse process of c1-4
insertion: superior angle of scapula
action: elevates, retracts, and rotates scapula; laterally flexes
neck
Question 5
zygomaticus major
Correct Answer
origin: zygomatic bone
insertion: angle of mouth
function: elevates and abducts upper lip and corner of mouth;
smile
Question 6
muscles of the forearm acting on the wrist, hand, and fingers
Correct Answer
flexor carpi radialils, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum
profundus, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor pollicus
longus, abductor pollicus longus, extensor carpi radialis
brevis, extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi ulnaris
extensor digiti minimi, extensor digitorum, extensor indicis,
extensor pollicis brevis, extensor pollicus longus
Question 7
size principle
Correct Answer
Page 2 of 336
,during recruitment, small motor units are recruited first
followed by large motor units
Question 8
Muscles of mastication
Correct Answer
temporalis, masseter, pterygoids (lateral, medial)
Question 9
muscle relaxation
Correct Answer
Ca2+ moves back into sarcoplasmic reticulum by active
transport. Requires energy
Ca2+ moves away from troponin-tropomyosin complex
Complex re-establishes its position and blocks binding sites.
Question 10
ligand-gated ion channel
Correct Answer
molecules that bind to receptors, gate is closed until
neurotransmitter attaches to a receptor molecule, gate opens,
na+ moves into cell due to concentration gradient.
Question 11
trapexius
Correct Answer
elevates, depresses, retracts, rotates, and fixes scapula;
extends neck
Page 3 of 336
, Question 12
palatoglossus
Correct Answer
elevates posterior tongue
Question 13
geniohyoid
Correct Answer
function: protracts hyoid; depresses mandible
Question 14
depressor anguli oris
Correct Answer
origin: lower border of mandible
insertion: skin lip near corner of mouth
function: lowers corner of mouth; frown
Question 15
intercostals
Correct Answer
external: quiet inspiration elevates ribs
internal: forced expiration, depresses ribs
Question 16
soleus
Correct Answer
plantar flexes foot
Page 4 of 336
and Answers
Question 1
Voltage gated ion channels and the action potential
Correct Answer
1. resting membrane potential; some K+ channels are closed,
K+ diffuses down the concentration gradient through the
open K+ channels, making the inside of the cell negatively
charged
2. depolarization; Na+ channels are open, so Na+ diffuses
down the concentration gradient making the cell membrane
more positively charged
3. Repolarization. Na+ channels are closed, and Na+
movement into cell stops. K+ channels open, K+ movement
out of cell increases making membrane more negatively
charged again
Question 2
eccentric muscle contraction
Correct Answer
tension maintained but muscle lengthens
Question 3
muscles of the thorax
Correct Answer
diaphragm, internal and external intercostals, scalene muscles
(anterior, medial, posterior)
Page 1 of 336
,Question 4
levator scapulae
Correct Answer
origin: transverse process of c1-4
insertion: superior angle of scapula
action: elevates, retracts, and rotates scapula; laterally flexes
neck
Question 5
zygomaticus major
Correct Answer
origin: zygomatic bone
insertion: angle of mouth
function: elevates and abducts upper lip and corner of mouth;
smile
Question 6
muscles of the forearm acting on the wrist, hand, and fingers
Correct Answer
flexor carpi radialils, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum
profundus, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor pollicus
longus, abductor pollicus longus, extensor carpi radialis
brevis, extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi ulnaris
extensor digiti minimi, extensor digitorum, extensor indicis,
extensor pollicis brevis, extensor pollicus longus
Question 7
size principle
Correct Answer
Page 2 of 336
,during recruitment, small motor units are recruited first
followed by large motor units
Question 8
Muscles of mastication
Correct Answer
temporalis, masseter, pterygoids (lateral, medial)
Question 9
muscle relaxation
Correct Answer
Ca2+ moves back into sarcoplasmic reticulum by active
transport. Requires energy
Ca2+ moves away from troponin-tropomyosin complex
Complex re-establishes its position and blocks binding sites.
Question 10
ligand-gated ion channel
Correct Answer
molecules that bind to receptors, gate is closed until
neurotransmitter attaches to a receptor molecule, gate opens,
na+ moves into cell due to concentration gradient.
Question 11
trapexius
Correct Answer
elevates, depresses, retracts, rotates, and fixes scapula;
extends neck
Page 3 of 336
, Question 12
palatoglossus
Correct Answer
elevates posterior tongue
Question 13
geniohyoid
Correct Answer
function: protracts hyoid; depresses mandible
Question 14
depressor anguli oris
Correct Answer
origin: lower border of mandible
insertion: skin lip near corner of mouth
function: lowers corner of mouth; frown
Question 15
intercostals
Correct Answer
external: quiet inspiration elevates ribs
internal: forced expiration, depresses ribs
Question 16
soleus
Correct Answer
plantar flexes foot
Page 4 of 336
