WGU C785 FINAL EXAM QUIZ – CERTIFIED QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS – WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
(WGU) – 2026/2027 BIOCHEMISTRY FINAL REVIEW GUIDE
Section 1: Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1-25)
1. Which of the following is the primary function of the mitochondria?
A) Protein synthesis
B) ATP production
C) Lipid storage
D) Cellular digestion
Correct Answer: B) ATP production
Rationale: Mitochondria are often called the "powerhouses" of the cell because
their primary role is to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through cellular
respiration, which is the main energy currency for cellular processes. Protein
synthesis is the function of ribosomes.
2. The human heart is located in which cavity?
A) Abdominal cavity
B) Cranial cavity
C) Thoracic cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Correct Answer: C) Thoracic cavity
Rationale: The heart is located within the thoracic cavity, specifically in the
mediastinum, between the lungs. The abdominal cavity contains digestive organs,
the cranial cavity contains the brain, and the pelvic cavity contains the bladder and
reproductive organs.
,3. Which blood vessels carry deoxygenated blood away from the heart?
A) Pulmonary veins
B) Aorta
C) Pulmonary arteries
D) Systemic arteries
Correct Answer: C) Pulmonary arteries
Rationale: The pulmonary arteries are unique in that they carry deoxygenated
blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. The
pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood back to the heart. The aorta and systemic
arteries carry oxygenated blood to the body.
4. Which of the following is a function of the skeletal system?
A) Producing hormones
B) Filtering blood
C) Protecting vital organs
D) Transmitting nerve impulses
Correct Answer: C) Protecting vital organs
Rationale: The skeletal system provides a structural framework and protects vital
organs like the brain (skull), heart, and lungs (rib cage). Producing hormones is a
function of the endocrine system, filtering blood is a function of the urinary system,
and transmitting nerve impulses is a function of the nervous system.
5. The basic functional unit of the kidney is the:
A) Neuron
B) Nephron
C) Alveolus
D) Villus
,Correct Answer: B) Nephron
Rationale: The nephron is the microscopic structural and functional unit of the
kidney, responsible for filtering blood and forming urine. The neuron is the
functional unit of the nervous system, the alveolus is the functional unit of the lungs,
and the villus is the functional unit of the small intestine.
6. Which of the following is an example of a ball-and-socket joint?
A) Elbow
B) Knee
C) Shoulder
D) Wrist
Correct Answer: C) Shoulder
Rationale: The shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) is a classic example of a ball-
and-socket joint, which allows for a wide range of motion in multiple planes. The
elbow and knee are hinge joints, and the wrist is a condyloid joint.
7. The part of the brain responsible for coordination and balance is the:
A) Cerebrum
B) Brainstem
C) Cerebellum
D) Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: C) Cerebellum
Rationale: The cerebellum is located at the back of the brain and plays a critical
role in motor control, coordination, precision, and balance. The cerebrum is
responsible for higher brain functions, the brainstem controls basic life functions, and
the hypothalamus regulates homeostasis.
8. What is the primary function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?
A) Fighting infection
, B) Clotting blood
C) Transporting oxygen
D) Producing antibodies
Correct Answer: C) Transporting oxygen
Rationale: Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen in
the lungs and carries it to tissues throughout the body. Fighting infection is a function
of white blood cells, blood clotting is a function of platelets, and producing
antibodies is a function of B-lymphocytes.
9. Which layer of the skin contains blood vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands?
A) Epidermis
B) Dermis
C) Hypodermis
D) Stratum corneum
Correct Answer: B) Dermis
Rationale: The dermis is the middle layer of the skin and is rich in blood vessels,
nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat and sebaceous glands. The epidermis is the
outermost layer, which provides a waterproof barrier. The hypodermis is the
deepest layer made of fat and connective tissue.
10. Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels?
A) Glucagon
B) Cortisol
C) Insulin
D) Thyroxine
Correct Answer: C) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas and is secreted in
response to high blood glucose levels. It facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells
VERIFIED ANSWERS – WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
(WGU) – 2026/2027 BIOCHEMISTRY FINAL REVIEW GUIDE
Section 1: Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1-25)
1. Which of the following is the primary function of the mitochondria?
A) Protein synthesis
B) ATP production
C) Lipid storage
D) Cellular digestion
Correct Answer: B) ATP production
Rationale: Mitochondria are often called the "powerhouses" of the cell because
their primary role is to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through cellular
respiration, which is the main energy currency for cellular processes. Protein
synthesis is the function of ribosomes.
2. The human heart is located in which cavity?
A) Abdominal cavity
B) Cranial cavity
C) Thoracic cavity
D) Pelvic cavity
Correct Answer: C) Thoracic cavity
Rationale: The heart is located within the thoracic cavity, specifically in the
mediastinum, between the lungs. The abdominal cavity contains digestive organs,
the cranial cavity contains the brain, and the pelvic cavity contains the bladder and
reproductive organs.
,3. Which blood vessels carry deoxygenated blood away from the heart?
A) Pulmonary veins
B) Aorta
C) Pulmonary arteries
D) Systemic arteries
Correct Answer: C) Pulmonary arteries
Rationale: The pulmonary arteries are unique in that they carry deoxygenated
blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. The
pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood back to the heart. The aorta and systemic
arteries carry oxygenated blood to the body.
4. Which of the following is a function of the skeletal system?
A) Producing hormones
B) Filtering blood
C) Protecting vital organs
D) Transmitting nerve impulses
Correct Answer: C) Protecting vital organs
Rationale: The skeletal system provides a structural framework and protects vital
organs like the brain (skull), heart, and lungs (rib cage). Producing hormones is a
function of the endocrine system, filtering blood is a function of the urinary system,
and transmitting nerve impulses is a function of the nervous system.
5. The basic functional unit of the kidney is the:
A) Neuron
B) Nephron
C) Alveolus
D) Villus
,Correct Answer: B) Nephron
Rationale: The nephron is the microscopic structural and functional unit of the
kidney, responsible for filtering blood and forming urine. The neuron is the
functional unit of the nervous system, the alveolus is the functional unit of the lungs,
and the villus is the functional unit of the small intestine.
6. Which of the following is an example of a ball-and-socket joint?
A) Elbow
B) Knee
C) Shoulder
D) Wrist
Correct Answer: C) Shoulder
Rationale: The shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) is a classic example of a ball-
and-socket joint, which allows for a wide range of motion in multiple planes. The
elbow and knee are hinge joints, and the wrist is a condyloid joint.
7. The part of the brain responsible for coordination and balance is the:
A) Cerebrum
B) Brainstem
C) Cerebellum
D) Hypothalamus
Correct Answer: C) Cerebellum
Rationale: The cerebellum is located at the back of the brain and plays a critical
role in motor control, coordination, precision, and balance. The cerebrum is
responsible for higher brain functions, the brainstem controls basic life functions, and
the hypothalamus regulates homeostasis.
8. What is the primary function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?
A) Fighting infection
, B) Clotting blood
C) Transporting oxygen
D) Producing antibodies
Correct Answer: C) Transporting oxygen
Rationale: Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen in
the lungs and carries it to tissues throughout the body. Fighting infection is a function
of white blood cells, blood clotting is a function of platelets, and producing
antibodies is a function of B-lymphocytes.
9. Which layer of the skin contains blood vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands?
A) Epidermis
B) Dermis
C) Hypodermis
D) Stratum corneum
Correct Answer: B) Dermis
Rationale: The dermis is the middle layer of the skin and is rich in blood vessels,
nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat and sebaceous glands. The epidermis is the
outermost layer, which provides a waterproof barrier. The hypodermis is the
deepest layer made of fat and connective tissue.
10. Which hormone is responsible for lowering blood glucose levels?
A) Glucagon
B) Cortisol
C) Insulin
D) Thyroxine
Correct Answer: C) Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas and is secreted in
response to high blood glucose levels. It facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells
