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Example Questions
Example Question #241 : General Biology
Which of the following molecules binds to troponin during muscle contraction, triggering tropomyosin to move away from the actin binding sites and allowing the myosin head to form a cross bridge?
ADP
ATP
Sodium
Calcium
Calcium
During a muscle cell action potential, calcium enters the cell via t-tubules, which are specialized invaginations of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Calcium binds with troponin, which pulls the tropomyosin strand away from actin binding sites and allows myosin heads to bind. Neither sodium nor potassium bind to troponin, and ATP and ADP both bind to myosin, rather than troponin.
Example Question #242 : General Biology
Which of the following is the name of the modified endoplasmic reticulum found in muscle cells?
The myoplasmic reticulum
The sarcoplasmic reticulum
The sarcomere
The t-tubule
The sarcoplasmic reticulum
Muscle cells have a specialized endoplasmic reticulum called the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The sarcoplasmic reticulum regulates the calcium ion concentration in the cytoplasm of striated muscle cells, and so plays a significant role in muscle contraction and relaxation. The T-tubule is a specialized invagination of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and the sarcomere is the single contractile unit of a muscle fibril. There is no muscle structure called the mycoplasmic reticulum.
Example Question #1 : Joints
The articulation between the intervertebral disc is what type of joint?
Diarthrotic
Synovial
Cartilaginous
Synarthrotic
Cartilaginous
The intervertebral disc articulate with the vertebrae via cartilaginous symphysis joints. These joints are amphiarthrotic, meaning that they allow for slight mobility.
Synovial joints are all diarthrotic and characterized by a flexible joint capsule filled with synovial fluid. Synarthrotic joints have no movement - examples include the skull bones and the joints of the teeth to the jaw.
Example Question #2 : Joints
The head of the femur articulates with what structure of the hip joint?
The obturator foramen
The patella
The acetabulum
The glenoid fossa
The acetabulum
The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum, a concave surface on the pelvis formed by the union of three bones: the ilium, the ischium, and the pubis.
The obturator foramen is a large opening in the pelvis formed by the pubis and the ischium bilaterally. It does not form any joints but rather allows the passage of the obturator artery, nerve, and vein.
The glenoid fossa is the surface onto which the head of the humerus articulates in the shoulder, and the patella is a part of the knee.
Example Question #1 : Joints
Which of the following structures is a type of synovial fluid sac between bones and overlying tissues?
Bursa
Capsule
Ligament
Tendon
Bursa
Bursae are synovial fluid sac between bones and overlying tissues. They provide a cushion between the bone and tendons or musculature around them, allowing for reduced friction and painless movement.
A tendon is a connective tissue point of attachment of muscle to bone, while a ligament is a connective tissue attachment from bone to bone. A capsule is a fibrous, fluid filled structure surrounding a synovial joint.
Example Question #251 : General Biology
Individuals who grind their teeth are at risk of causing damage to which of the following joints?
The temporomandibular joint
The pisotriquetral joint
The xiphisternal joint
The intermetacarpal joint
The temporomandibular joint
Bruxism, or involuntary tooth grinding, can cause inflammation and damage in the temporomandibular joint, which is the articulation between the condyle of the mandible and the temporal bone.
The xiphisternal joint is between the xiphoid process and the body of the sternum. The intermetacarpal joints are formed between the metacarpal bones of the hand, and the pisotriquetral joint is between the pisiform and triquetrum of the wrist.
Example Question #1 : Joints
Which of the following is a term for movement along a sagittal plane that decreases the angle between bones?
Adduction
Extension
Flexion
Abduction
Flexion
Movement along a sagittal plane that decreases the angle between bones is flexion. This is in contrast to extension, which is movement along a sagittal plane that increases the angle between bones. Adduction is movement that pulls a structure toward the midline of the body, while abduction moves a structure away from midline.
Example Question #6 : Joints
Which of the following joints is capable of circumduction?
The elbow
The knee
The shoulder
The sacroiliac joint
The shoulder
Circumduction is movement that produces a circular motion wth the distal end of a body part. True circumduction allows for a 360 degree range of movement. Of the joints listed, the only one capable of circumduction is the shoulder.
Example Question #1 : Joints
Which of the following is an example of a condyloid joint?
The metacarpophalangeal joints
The acromioclavicular joint
The humeroradial joint
The glenohumeral joint
The metacarpophalangeal joints
Condyloid joints are a form of synovial joint in which a condyle rests in an ovoid cavity. Of the joints listed, the only condyloid joint is the metacarpophalangeal joints (the joint of the most proximal knuckle).
The acromioclavicular joint is a plane joint, while the glenohumeral and humeroradial joints are both ball and socket joints.
Example Question #8 : Joints
The patella articulates with which of the following bones?
The tibia
The femur
The fibula
The tibia and fibula
The femur
The only bone that the patella, or kneecap, articulates with is the femur, at the patellofemoral joint. The patella is a sesamoid bone, meaning it is fully embedded within a tendon. The patellar ligament joins the patella to the tibial tuberosity (but not the fibula).