BIOD 151 Module 1: Essential Human Anatomy & Physiology I
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which of the following describes the anatomical position?
A. Standing upright, feet flat on the floor, arms at sides, palms facing forward
B. Standing upright, feet together, palms facing backward
C. Lying face down with arms at the sides
D. Lying face up with feet shoulder-width apart
Answer: A
Rationale: The anatomical position is a standardized method of observing or imaging the
body that allows precise and consistent anatomical terminology: standing erect, facing the
observer, with feet flat and palms forward.
2. Which plane divides the body into superior and inferior portions?
A. Sagittal plane
B. Transverse plane
C. Frontal plane
D. Midsagittal plane
Answer: B
Rationale: The transverse (or horizontal) plane divides the body into upper (superior) and
lower (inferior) portions.
,3. The wrist is _____ to the elbow.
A. Distal
B. Medial
C. Proximal
D. Superior
Answer: A
Rationale: Distal means farther from the point of attachment to the trunk. Since the wrist
is farther from the shoulder than the elbow, it is distal to the elbow.
4. Which organelle is often referred to as the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell because it
generates ATP?
A. Nucleus
B. Mitochondria
C. Ribosome
D. Lysosome
Answer: B
Rationale: Mitochondria are the sites of cellular respiration, which converts nutrients
(glucose) into adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
5. The process of movemement of water across a semi-permeable membrane
from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration is called:
A. Diffusion
B. Active Transport
C. Osmosis
D. Filtration
Answer: C
Rationale: Osmosis is the specific term for the passive movement of water across a
membrane down its own concentration gradient.
, 6. Which body cavity contains the brain?
A. Vertebral cavity
B. Cranial cavity
C. Thoracic cavity
D. Pelvic cavity
Answer: B
Rationale: The cranial cavity is formed by the cranial bones and contains the brain.
7. The heart is located in which specific cavity?
A. Pleural cavity
B. Abdominal cavity
C. Pelvic cavity
D. Pericardial cavity
Answer: D
Rationale: Within the thoracic cavity, the heart is specifically enclosed by the pericardial
cavity.
8. Which of the following is an example of a negative feedback loop?
A. Blood clotting
B. Regulating body temperature
C. Labor contractions during childbirth
D. An immune response to a massive infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Negative feedback loops work to reverse a change and return the system to a
set point, such as cooling the body when it gets too hot.
2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which of the following describes the anatomical position?
A. Standing upright, feet flat on the floor, arms at sides, palms facing forward
B. Standing upright, feet together, palms facing backward
C. Lying face down with arms at the sides
D. Lying face up with feet shoulder-width apart
Answer: A
Rationale: The anatomical position is a standardized method of observing or imaging the
body that allows precise and consistent anatomical terminology: standing erect, facing the
observer, with feet flat and palms forward.
2. Which plane divides the body into superior and inferior portions?
A. Sagittal plane
B. Transverse plane
C. Frontal plane
D. Midsagittal plane
Answer: B
Rationale: The transverse (or horizontal) plane divides the body into upper (superior) and
lower (inferior) portions.
,3. The wrist is _____ to the elbow.
A. Distal
B. Medial
C. Proximal
D. Superior
Answer: A
Rationale: Distal means farther from the point of attachment to the trunk. Since the wrist
is farther from the shoulder than the elbow, it is distal to the elbow.
4. Which organelle is often referred to as the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell because it
generates ATP?
A. Nucleus
B. Mitochondria
C. Ribosome
D. Lysosome
Answer: B
Rationale: Mitochondria are the sites of cellular respiration, which converts nutrients
(glucose) into adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
5. The process of movemement of water across a semi-permeable membrane
from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration is called:
A. Diffusion
B. Active Transport
C. Osmosis
D. Filtration
Answer: C
Rationale: Osmosis is the specific term for the passive movement of water across a
membrane down its own concentration gradient.
, 6. Which body cavity contains the brain?
A. Vertebral cavity
B. Cranial cavity
C. Thoracic cavity
D. Pelvic cavity
Answer: B
Rationale: The cranial cavity is formed by the cranial bones and contains the brain.
7. The heart is located in which specific cavity?
A. Pleural cavity
B. Abdominal cavity
C. Pelvic cavity
D. Pericardial cavity
Answer: D
Rationale: Within the thoracic cavity, the heart is specifically enclosed by the pericardial
cavity.
8. Which of the following is an example of a negative feedback loop?
A. Blood clotting
B. Regulating body temperature
C. Labor contractions during childbirth
D. An immune response to a massive infection
Answer: B
Rationale: Negative feedback loops work to reverse a change and return the system to a
set point, such as cooling the body when it gets too hot.
