AP Exam Questions

• Name the two sensory receptors found in the retina?

  rods cones
• Nails consist of clear, horn-like cells forming a solid plate and are derived from the same cells as hair and what layer of the skin?

  epidermis
• Describe the insertion of a muscle?

  The point of attachment to the bone that it moves.
• Name the two largest veins in the body. To what part of the heart do they attach?

  Superior and inferior venae cavae. They attach to the right atrium.
• Describe the structure and function of the alveoli?

  Very small air sacs (in the lungs) through which oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged
• What is the collective term for the external female genitalia?

  vulva
• Which two of the following cranial nerves are mixed type (combination of sensory and motor) nerves?

  IV. Trochlear

  V. Trigeminal

  VI. Abducent

  VII. Facial

  VIII. Vestibulocochlear (auditory)

  V. Trigeminal

  VII. Facial
• Describe the function of the islets of Langerhans?

  Secretes insulin, and other hormones, which control the glucose level in the blood.
• Describe the structure of the urethra?

  Passageway, or canal, from the bladder to the body exterior.

  It can course through the prostate and the penis or be embedded in the (upper) vaginal wall.
• What is the medical term for the end of a long bone?

  epiphysis
• Describe the function of the salivary glands?

  Supply digestive enzymes and moisture to start the chemical digestive process and to aid mastication and swallowing.
• What is the name for the central cavity of the inner ear, nearest the middle ear, which contains the oval window and the round window?

  Vestibule
• Name the relatively hard connective tissue that covers all parts of bones in contact within a joint?

  Cartilage
• White blood cells can be granular or non-granular. Name the two non-granular leucocytes?

  Lymphocytes

  Monocytes
• Name the first portion of the large intestine?

  caecum
• Name the musculomembranous “partition” between the chest cavity and abdominal cavity, which acts as a bellows in breathing?

  Diaphragm
• What is the function of the pyloric sphincter?

  Prevents food passing from the small intestine back into the stomach
• In relation to the musculoskeletal system, what is an epiphysis?

  end of a long bone
• Using the correct medical terminology, describe what fertilisation is.?

  Union of ovum and spermatozoon
• Name the two parts of the autonomic nervous system?

  sympathetic and parasympathetic
• The maintenance of normal blood calcium levels and the regulation of phosphate metabolism are the primary functions of which glands?

  parathyroid glands
• Provide the medical terms for the three types of blood cell?

  Erythrocytes

  Leucocytes

  Thrombocytes
• What is the name of the thousands of small filters in the kidneys?

  List the products that they extract from the bloodstream?

  Glomeruli.

  Nitrogenous wastes, salts, water and toxins
• Provide the definition of the puerperium?

  The period of 42 days following the birth of the foetus.
• Name the layer of the skin that nails grow upon and take their nourishment from?

  dermal
• Name both parts of the two-layered membranous sac that encloses each lung?

  Parietal, visceral pleura
• Name the tissue that connects muscles to bones?

  tendon
• Provide the missing words in the following sentence.

  The large intestine absorbs __________ and some __________ from the digested food, creating faeces?

  water chemicals
• Describe the function of the pulmonary artery?

  Transports deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
• What is the name of the small hole in the bone separating the middle and inner ears, which is partially covered by the base of the stapes and transmits sound waves to the inner ear?

  Oval window
• Name the two groups the bones of the skeleton are divided into?

  Axial

  Appendicular
• Name the acid that is made in the stomach?

  Hydrochloric
• The spinal nerves arise from both sides of the spinal cord; what do they emerge through?

  Intervertebral or neural foramina or foramen
• Describe where sebaceous glands are located and their function?

  Dermis. They secrete an oily fluid (sebum) to lubricate and protect the skin and hair.
• Where is the aortic bifurcation located, and what arteries does it divide into?

  It is located at the distal end of the abdominal aorta at which point the artery divides into the common iliac arteries
• The cystic duct drains which organ?

  gallbladder
• Name the two extensions of nerve cells which form the white matter of the nervous system?

  Axons

  Dendrites
• Describe the function of the ureters?

  To convey urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
• What is the placenta’s function and how is it connected to the foetus?

  It transfers nourishment and oxygen from the mother to the baby’s bloodstream and waste products from the baby to the mother. It is connectedto the foetus by the umbilical cord.
• Name the part of the ear that contains the organ of Corti?

  cochlea