Anatomy and Physiology: Life Processes Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This process or quality is important not only microscopically but even among groups of people. Cells and body systems are interrelated and no man is an island. Cooperation and division of labor are necessary. Which process are we talking about?

Answer: organization

It is interesting and informative to look at the etymology of a word. The words 'organ', 'organelle' and 'organization' are all derived from the same root. Following the trail backwards through the Old English, Old French, Latin then the Greek meanings of the word, we find 'organe' and 'orgene' both meaning 'musical instrument' coming from 'organa' meaning "implement, musical instrument, organ of the body."

The uniting factor between the musical instrument and the organ of the body is found in the literal meaning, "that with which one works."

Organization is a very helpful attribute in human endeavors but a necessary one in nature.

Any which way you look at it, organization proves to be a good thing.

2. There are many chemical reactions that occur in the body. What broad term is used to include them all?

Answer: metabolism

Catabolism means the breaking down of complex molecules into simpler ones, which often results in a release of energy. It is a phase of metabolism.

Anabolism is the phase of metabolism in which simple substances are combined to form the complex materials of living tissue.

Matabolism, with two As, does not exist.

3. Recognizing and reacting to changes in the internal and external environment is known as the life process called responsiveness. It also goes by this exasperating title.

Answer: irritability

We commonly think of irritability as being grouchy or grumpy and irritating as meaning to bother or pester but the definition that best fits the 'responsiveness' life process is:

A condition of irritability, soreness, roughness, or inflammation of a bodily part

(This definition is taken from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.)

4. There is much _______ment in the body. Cells ______ from one place to another. Blood ______(e)s all throughout the body. When we breathe, our diaphragms _______. Muscle fibers contract enabling us to ________. What is this life process called?

Answer: move (movement)

Reaching the battlefield, the sergeant shouts, "Do you see any movement?!" and dropping down next to a soldier, he asks, "Is his chest moving? Can you feel a pulse?"

Movement equals life.

5. Most people think of this life process as the forming of a new person, but it also refers to the creation of new cells to replace and repair old cells.

Answer: reproduction

The reproduction of somatic (body) cells is called mitosis. It is a complicated process divided into many stages, such as interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. The gametes (egg and sperm cells) are produced by a process called meiosis.

6. Which life process means to increase in size or in total number of cells?

Answer: growth

'Maturation' is the process whereby full natural growth or development is reached. 'Respiration' is better known as breathing. 'Implosion' is the act of violently collapsing inwards.

7. This life process is a developmental one in which unspecialized cells evolve into specific cells having unique structure and function. This is how cells develop into tissues and organs.

Answer: differentiation

You started life as a single cell. This cell divided into identical cells. These cells divided, producing more identical cells until about the fourth day of your life. Then differentiation caused the cells to specialize. One group of cells became your spinal cord and another group became your eyes. Identical cells soon bore little resemblance to each other, and became more specific to the job they would be carrying out.

This process continued until the day of your birth and then there you were - as beautiful and unique as any snowflake ever created!

8. Many processes are involved in the exchange of gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen between the internal and external environment. What is the broad term that covers all these particular processes?

Answer: respiration

Did you remember to breathe today? You didn't have to. Breathing is an involuntary action, like blinking. Every three to five seconds nerve impulses stimulate the breathing process. We breathe air into our lungs and approximately 20% of that air is oxygen. Oxygen is needed in every cell in our body. This need is addressed by cellular respiration. As a tree branches from trunk to branches ever smaller in diameter, so also do the lungs and circulatory systems, until the alveoli (in the lungs) and capillaries (of the circulatory system) are separated by single-celled walls and an exchange is made. Oxygen crosses into the blood and carbon dioxide crosses from the blood to the lungs and is breathed out.

So getting out for a walk or other activity will not only clear your head but also help clean out cells from head to toe!

9. What is the life process called in which ingested food is broken down into simple molecules which are then able to be absorbed and used by the body?

Answer: digestion

You take a bite out of your apple. As you continue masticating it, chemicals in your saliva begin the digestion process. The bit of apple is broken down into smaller and smaller pieces until it reaches the state of its most basic chemical make up. As it makes its way through the stomach, more enzymes and liquids are added to the mix so that all vitamins, minerals and life-giving components are set free to be absorbed in the intestinal lining. Undigestible matter such as fiber and other waste material are eliminated at the other end.

The sum of all these various processes is known as digestion.

10. What is the name of the life process involved in eliminating metabolic and digestive wastes from the body?

Answer: excretion

Your free Bonus - here is a mnemonic to help you remember all of these processes:

Oh my! Rich men really get dysfunctional regarding dollar exchanges!

O - (Organization) Oh
M - (Metabolism) My!
R - (Responsiveness) Rich
M - (Movement) Men
R - (Reproduction) Really
G - (Growth) Get
D - (Differentiation) Dysfunctional
R - (Respiration) Regarding
D - (Digestion) Dollar
E - (Excretion) Exchanges

Source: Author luvtolearn

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Technically, what distinguishes the living from the non-living? Life processes! Human beings have ten processes. Perhaps, you know more about them than you think. Come see!

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