Polls and problem sets

Question 1

If two solutions that differ in their osmolarity are separated by a selectively permeable membrane (permeable to water only), the net flow of water is:
equal in both directions.
from the hyperosmotic to the
hypoosmotic solution.
from the hypoosmotic to hyperosmotic solution.
from the solution containing less free water to the solution containing more free water.

Answer 1

From the hypoosmotic to hyperosmotic solution

Question 2

Which of the following most accurately describes selective permeability?
An input of energy is required for transport.
There must be a concentration gradient for molecules to pass through a membrane.
Only certain molecules can cross a cell membrane.
Molecules diffuse against their concentration gradient

Answer 2

Only certain molecules can cross a cell membrane.

Question 3

Birds secrete uric acid as their nitrogenous waste because uric acid:
is readily soluble in water.
is metabolically less expensive to synthesize than other excretory products.
requires little water for nitrogenous waste disposal, thus reducing body mass.
can be reused by birds as a protein source.
contains fewer nitrogen atoms than ammonia or urea.

Answer 3

requires little water for nitrogenous waste disposal, thus reducing body mass.

Question 4

To maintain homeostasis, freshwater fish must:
excrete large quantities of electrolytes.
consume large quantities of water.
excrete large quantities of water.
take in electrolytes through simple diffusion.

Answer 4

excrete large quantities of water.

Question 5

The more concentrated the urine that a mammal can produce, the longer are its:
glomeruli
proximal convoluted tubules
loops of Henle
Bowman’s capsules
Malphighian tubules

Answer 5

loop of Henle

Question 6

Urea is the primary nitrogenous waste product of:
humans
most birds
most aquatic invertebrates

Answer 6

humans

Question 7

One of the waste products that accumulates during cellular functions is carbon dioxide. It is removed via the respiratory system. What other waste products may accumulate during normal physiological functioning in a vertebrate?
ammonia and urea
uric acid and urea
ammonia and urea
ammonia, uric acid, and urea

Answer 7

ammonia, uric acid, and urea

Question 8

Which of the following characterizes the glomerular filtrate, the fluid that passes from the blood in the glomerulus into the proximal tubule of the nephron?
It is clear in appearance and contains no glucose.
It is a concentrated solution of waste products.
It is identical to blood plasma.
It is blood plasma that lacks most proteins.
It is whole blood.

Answer 8

It is blood plasma that lacks most proteins.

Question 9

A renal physiologist wants to determine the rate of filtration in the glomeruli of the kidneys. The best experimental design would be to inject a substance into the blood which:
cannot pass through the glomerular capillaries.
can pass through the glomerular capillaries, but is totally reabsorbed in the renal tubules.
can pass through the glomerular capillaries and is partially reabsorbed in the renal tubules.
can pass through the glomerular capillaries and is not reabsorbed in the renal tubules.

Answer 9

can pass through the glomerular capillaries and is not reabsorbed in the renal tubules.

Question 10

In this type of signaling, secreted molecules diffuse locally and trigger a response in neighboring cells.
paracrine
autocrine
synaptic
neuroendocrine

Answer 10

paracrine

Question 11

In this type of signaling, secreted molecules diffuse locally and trigger a response in the cell that secreted them.
paracrine
autocrine
synaptic
neuroendocrine

Answer 11

autocrine

Question 12

Which of the following statements comparing water-soluble and lipid-soluble hormones is true?
Water-soluble hormones require the aid of a transport protein to reach their target tissue.
Only water-soluble hormones bind to a receptor protein to initiate their response.
Both types of hormones can be transported in the blood stream to their target sites.
Only water-soluble hormones can alter the transcription of specific genes.
Both types of hormones initially bind to cell-surface receptors before entering the cytoplasm.

Answer 12

Both types of hormones can be transported in the blood stream to their target sites.

Question 13

This type of secreted signalling molecule does not alter the physiology of the animal producing the molecule:
synaptic
paracrine
neuroendocrine
pheromone
autocrine

Answer 13

pheromone

Question 14

Synthesized in the hypothalamus, these hormones travel along the extended axons of neurosecretory cells to the posterior pituitary.
FSH and LH
TSH and prolactin
ADH and oxytocin
GH and ACh
Testosterone and estradiol

Answer 14

ADH and oxytocin

Question 15

Asexual reproduction results in greater reproductive success than sexual reproduction does when:
pathogens are rapidly diversifying.
there is some potential for rapid overpopulation.
species are expanding into diverse geographic settings.
species are in stable and favorable environments.

Answer 15

species are in stable and favorable environments.

Question 16

The level of what hormone coordinates the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle with the proliferative phase of the uterine cycle?
LH
progesterone
FSH
prolactin
estradiol

Answer 16

estradiol

Question 17

What conveys the egg that is released by the ovary to the uterus?
vagina
oviduct
seminiferous tubules
labia minora
urethra

Answer 17

oviduct

Question 18

At the time of fertilization, the maturation of the human oogonium has resulted in ________.
two primary oocytes
four secondary oocytes
four zygotes
one secondary oocyte

Answer 18

one secondary oocyte

Question 19

Sexual reproduction:
allows animals to conserve resources and reproduce only during optimal conditions.
can produce diverse phenotypes that may enhance survival of a population in a changing environment.
yields more numerous offspring more rapidly than is possible with asexual reproduction.
enables males and females to remain isolated while rapidly colonizing habitats.
guarantees that both parents will provide care for each offspring.

Answer 19

can produce diverse phenotypes that may enhance survival of a population in a changing environment.

Question 20

Which of the following most accurately describes selective permeability?
A. An input of energy is required for transport
B. There must be a concentration gradient for molecules to pass through a membrane
C. Only certain molecules can cross a cell membrane
D. Molecules diffuse against their concentration gradients

Answer 20

C

Question 21

The necropsy (postmortem analysis) of a freshwater fish that died after being placed accidentally in saltwater would likely show that:
A. Loss of water by osmosis from cells in vital organs resulted in cell death and organ failure.
B. High amounts of salt had diffused int the fish/s cells, causing them to swell and lyse
C. The kidneys were not able to keep up with he water removal necessary in this hyperosmotic environment, creating an irrevocable loss of homeostasis
D. The gills became encrusted with salt, resulting in inadequate gas exchange and a resulting asphyxiation

Answer 21

A

Question 22

The high osmolarity of the renal medulla is maintained by all of the following except:
A. Active transport of salt from the upper region of the ascending limp
B. The spatial arrangement of juxtamedullary nephrons
C. Diffusion of urea from the collecting duct
D. Diffusion of salt from the descending limb of the loop of Henle

Answer 22

D

Question 23

Which of the following is not an advantage of chemical messengers over electrical signals?
A. Chemical molecules initiate faster responses
B. Chemical molecules can spread to all tissues
C. Chemical signals can persist longer
D. Different chemicals can target different tissue
E. All of the above are advantages of chemical messengers

Answer 23

A

Question 24

Testosterone is an example of a chemical signal that affects the cells that synthesize it, the neighboring cells in the testis, and distant cells outside the gonads. Thus, testosterone is an example of:
A. An autocrine signal
B. An autocrine signal and a paracrine signal
C. An autocrine signal and an endocrine signal
D. A paracrine signal and an endocrine signal
E. An autocrine signal, a paracrine signal, and an endocrine signal

Answer 24

E

Question 25

A disease that destroys the adrenal cortex causes an increase in the plasma levels of:
A. Glucocorticoid hormones
B. Epinephrine
C. ACTH
D. Acetylcholine
E. Estradiol

Answer 25

C

Question 26

Which is an example of pheromone functions?
A. A snake following a scent trail left by a mouse
B. An ant leaving a scent trail to help other ants find food
C. A person using scent to avoid rotten food

Answer 26

B

Question 27

Ovulation is the follicular response to a burst of secretion of:
A. LH
B. Progesterone
C. FSH
D. Prolactin
E. Estradiol

Answer 27

A

Question 28

Which of the following statements comparing spermatogenesis and oogenesis is/are true?
A. Only in oogenesis do all four products of meiosis develop into mature gametes
B. Oogenesis can produce mature eggs in a continuous sequence, whereas spermatogenesis has long interruptions
C. Spermatogenesis, including the mitotic divisions of stem cells, occurs throughout adolescence and adulthood
D. All of the above statements are true
E. Both A and B are true statements

Answer 28

C