PAM Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of connective tissue has the poorest blood supply, making it the slowest to heal after injury?
- Dense regular connective tissue
- Areolar connective tissue
- Cartilage (Correct answer)
- Bone
Correct answer: Cartilage
Cartilage is avascular, relying on diffusion for nutrients, which significantly slows its healing process.
Question 2: The sarcomere is the functional unit of skeletal muscle. Which band SHORTENS during muscle contraction?
- A band
- I band
- H zone only
- Both I band and H zone (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both I band and H zone
During contraction, the I band and H zone shorten as actin filaments slide toward the center, while the A band length remains constant.
Question 3: Which of the following correctly describes the role of the periosteum in bone physiology?
- It produces synovial fluid for joint lubrication
- It contains osteoprogenitor cells essential for bone repair (Correct answer)
- It lines the medullary cavity and stores red marrow
- It forms the articular surface at synovial joints
Correct answer: It contains osteoprogenitor cells essential for bone repair
The periosteum is a fibrous membrane covering bone that contains osteoprogenitor cells critical for fracture repair and bone remodeling.
Question 4: During the action potential of a motor neuron, what occurs during the absolute refractory period?
- A stronger-than-normal stimulus can fire the neuron
- Potassium channels are closed and sodium channels are opening
- The neuron cannot be stimulated regardless of stimulus intensity (Correct answer)
- Membrane potential is returning toward resting potential
Correct answer: The neuron cannot be stimulated regardless of stimulus intensity
During the absolute refractory period, sodium channels are inactivated and the neuron is completely incapable of generating another action potential.
Question 5: A patient has a lesion affecting the C5-C6 dermatomes. Which area of skin sensation would most likely be impaired?
- Medial forearm and hand
- Lateral shoulder and forearm (Correct answer)
- Anterior thigh
- Posterior leg and heel
Correct answer: Lateral shoulder and forearm
Dermatomes C5-C6 cover the lateral shoulder, lateral arm, and lateral forearm, including the thumb side of the hand.
Question 6: What is the primary role of Type II collagen in the body?
- Providing tensile strength in tendons and ligaments
- Forming the main structural component of hyaline cartilage (Correct answer)
- Creating the framework of compact bone
- Forming the basement membrane of epithelium
Correct answer: Forming the main structural component of hyaline cartilage
Type II collagen is the predominant collagen in hyaline and elastic cartilage, providing compressive resistance in joints.
Question 7: Which autonomic nervous system response would a clinician expect in a patient undergoing a painful physical therapy procedure?
- Increased peristalsis and decreased heart rate
- Pupil constriction and increased salivation
- Increased heart rate and decreased digestive activity (Correct answer)
- Vasodilation of skin blood vessels and decreased respiration
Correct answer: Increased heart rate and decreased digestive activity
Pain activates the sympathetic 'fight-or-flight' response, causing increased heart rate and redirection of blood flow away from digestive organs.
PAM Anatomy & Physiology Fundamentals 2
Which type of connective tissue has the poorest blood supply, making it the slowest to heal after injury?