4.7: Chapter Review Questions

Multiple-Choice Section

• Use the end‑of‑chapter multiple‑choice section as a regular self‑check tool, not just before exams.
• Read each item carefully, think about what is really being tested (concept, definition, application, or calculation), and choose the option (A, B, C, or D) that best reflects what you have learned in this chapter.
  • After you read through the chapter, attempt all items without looking at your notes; then return to the chapter to review any you missed or felt unsure about.
  • Afterward, explain to yourself why the correct option is right and why the others are not. Finally, repeat the multiple‑choice section a few days later to see what you truly remember and understand.
• Students who consistently use these prompts in this way typically perform better across the course because they turn reading into active practice.

1. The process by which a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell type during development is called what?
   A. Differentiation
   B. Maturation
   C. Modification
   D. Specialization

2. In a developing embryo, all differentiated cells ultimately derive from which three primary germ layers?
   A. Endothelium, mesothelium, and epithelium
   B. Ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm
   C. Connective tissue, epithelial tissue, and muscle tissue
   D. Epidermis, mesoderm, and endothelium

3. A biopsy from the skin surface shows closely packed cells arranged in layers, with very little extracellular matrix and no blood vessels within the tissue. The tissue covers the body surface and lines body cavities. How should this sample be classified?
   A. Connective tissue
   B. Muscle tissue
   C. Nervous tissue
   D. Epithelial tissue

4. Under the microscope, a specimen shows a single layer of tall, narrow cells. The nuclei are located near the basal surface of each cell, and all cells contact the basement membrane. Which type of epithelial tissue is present?
   A. Simple columnar epithelium
   B. Stratified columnar epithelium
   C. Simple squamous epithelium
   D. Simple cuboidal epithelium

5. Which type of epithelial tissue lines the interior surface of blood vessels (endothelium)?
   A. Simple columnar epithelium
   B. Stratified columnar epithelium
   C. Simple squamous epithelium
   D. Simple cuboidal epithelium

6. A certain exocrine gland type stores its secretory product inside entire cells; the whole cell then disintegrates to release the secretion. Another gland type releases its product when only the apical portion of the cell pinches off and breaks down, while the basal portion remains and repairs itself. Which option correctly matches these two gland types in that order?
   A. Holocrine gland; apocrine gland
   B. Eccrine gland; endocrine gland
   C. Apocrine gland; holocrine gland
   D. Eccrine gland; apocrine gland

7. Mucous membranes (mucosae) are found in particular locations in the body. Which description best identifies where mucous membranes are located?
   A. Covering the outer surfaces of the lungs and heart in the thoracic cavity
   B. Lining body cavities and passageways that open to the exterior, such as the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive tracts
   C. Surrounding the kidneys in the retroperitoneal space
   D. Covering the articular surfaces of freely movable synovial joints

8. Which statement best distinguishes epithelial tissue from connective tissue?
   A. Epithelial tissue has abundant extracellular matrix, whereas connective tissue has very little.
   B. Epithelial tissue is highly vascular, whereas connective tissue is always avascular.
   C. Epithelial tissue forms continuous sheets covering surfaces and lining cavities; connective tissue mainly supports, binds, and fills spaces.
   D. Epithelial tissue cannot regenerate, whereas connective tissue cannot be repaired.

9. Most connective tissues are composed of which three essential components?
   A. Cells, ground substance, and carbohydrate fibers
   B. Cells, ground substance, and protein fibers
   C. Collagen, ground substance, and protein fibers only
   D. Matrix, ground substance, and fluid, without cells

10. The wall of the intestine contains a layer of tissue with spindle‑shaped, non‑striated cells that contract involuntarily to move food along. Which tissue type is this?
    A. Skeletal muscle
    B. Cardiac muscle
    C. Smooth muscle
    D. Dense connective tissue

11. Under the microscope, a tissue specimen shows chondrocytes located in lacunae scattered in a smooth, glassy, almost transparent extracellular matrix with fine collagen fibers that are not easily visible. This tissue is most likely which of the following?
    A. Loose areolar connective tissue
    B. Dense regular connective tissue
    C. Fibrocartilage
    D. Hyaline cartilage

12. Ligaments connect bones together and must withstand unidirectional tensile stress. Which connective tissue type predominantly makes up ligaments?
    A. Loose areolar connective tissue
    B. Dense regular connective tissue
    C. Fibrocartilage
    D. Hyaline cartilage

13. In adults, new connective tissue cells most directly originate from which cell population?
    A. Mesoderm
    B. Mesenchyme‑derived stem or progenitor cells
    C. Ectoderm
    D. Endoderm

14. Fat droplets are stored in cells in a specialized form of loose connective tissue called adipose tissue.
    A. True
    B. False

15. In bone tissue, which cells are the mature cells located in lacunae that maintain the bone matrix?
    A. Fibroblasts
    B. Chondrocytes
    C. Lymphocytes
    D. Osteocytes

16. Striations, cylindrical (long, fiber‑like) cells, and multiple peripheral nuclei per cell are characteristic of which muscle type?
    A. Skeletal muscle only
    B. Cardiac muscle only
    C. Smooth muscle only
    D. Both skeletal and cardiac muscles

17. The contractile cells of muscle tissue, called myocytes or muscle fibers, develop from which precursor cells during embryonic development?
    A. Myoblasts
    B. Endoderm cells
    C. Fibrocytes
    D. Chondrocytes

18. Skeletal muscle fibers are highly active cells. Which organelles would you expect to find in particularly high numbers in these cells to meet their energy demands?
    A. Nuclei
    B. Striations
    C. Golgi bodies
    D. Mitochondria

19. Which cells are primarily responsible for generating and conducting nerve impulses in nervous tissue?
    A. Neurons
    B. Oligodendrocytes
    C. Astrocytes
    D. Microglia

20. In a typical neuron, the nerve impulse travels away from the cell body along which structure?
    A. Dendrite
    B. Axon
    C. Microglia
    D. Collagen fiber

21. In the central nervous system, which neuroglial cells regulate extracellular ion concentrations, participate in the uptake and breakdown of some neurotransmitters, and contribute to the formation of the blood–brain barrier?
    A. Microglia
    B. Neuroglia as a general group
    C. Oligodendrocytes
    D. Astrocytes

22. Which of the following is not considered one of the classic cardinal signs of acute inflammation?
    A. Redness
    B. Heat
    C. Fever as a whole‑body response
    D. Swelling

23. When a mast cell in connective tissue reacts to injury or irritation, which chemical mediator does it release in large amounts to promote vasodilation and increased vascular permeability?
    A. Collagen
    B. Histamine
    C. Hyaluronic acid
    D. Myelin

24. In the context of tissue changes, what does the term “atrophy” refer to?
    A. Loss of elasticity
    B. Loss of mass or size of a tissue or organ
    C. Loss of rigidity
    D. Loss of permeability

25. Individuals can slow some aspects of aging by modifying several lifestyle factors. Which of the following lifestyle aspects cannot be modified to slow the intrinsic rate of aging?
    A. Diet
    B. Exercise
    C. Genetic factors
    D. Stress management

26. Under the microscope, you observe an epithelial tissue that appears to have multiple layers of nuclei, but all cells actually contact the basement membrane. Goblet cells and cilia are present. Which epithelial tissue type is this most likely to be?
    A. Simple cuboidal epithelium
    B. Stratified squamous epithelium
    C. Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
    D. Transitional epithelium

27. Which statement correctly distinguishes endocrine glands from exocrine glands?
    A. Endocrine glands release their products into ducts that open onto surfaces; exocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream.
    B. Endocrine glands are always unicellular; exocrine glands are always multicellular.
    C. Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the interstitial fluid and blood; exocrine glands release secretions into ducts leading to body surfaces or lumens.
    D. Endocrine glands never undergo mitosis; exocrine glands constantly proliferate.

28. Which tissue type has an abundant extracellular matrix with collagen and elastic fibers arranged irregularly, and is found in the dermis of the skin providing tensile strength in multiple directions?
    A. Loose areolar connective tissue
    B. Dense regular connective tissue
    C. Dense irregular connective tissue
    D. Elastic cartilage

29. Which muscle tissue contains branching cells, a single central nucleus per cell, striations, and intercalated discs?
    A. Skeletal muscle
    B. Cardiac muscle
    C. Smooth muscle
    D. All three muscle types

30. Which type of cartilage is especially well suited to resist compression and is found in intervertebral discs and the pubic symphysis?
    A. Hyaline cartilage
    B. Elastic cartilage
    C. Fibrocartilage
    D. Articular cartilage of long bones