Free Support and Movement MCQs with Answers

• A. a hinge joint
• B. a pivot joint
• C. a ball and socket joint
• D. a gliding joint

Explanation: The elbow swings in one plane, flexing and extending the forearm like a door hinge.

• A. movement in all planes
• B. rotation around a single axis
• C. gliding only
• D. no movement at all

Explanation: In a pivot joint one bone rotates within a ring formed by another, as when the atlas turns on the dens of the axis to shake the head from…

• A. at the hip
• B. at the elbow
• C. between the carpal bones of the wrist
• D. between the bones of the skull

Explanation: The small bones of the wrist and ankle glide against each other, giving limited but versatile movement.

• A. weakening of the muscles
• B. degeneration of the nerves
• C. inflammation of tendons only
• D. inflammation, pain and stiffness of the joints

Explanation: Whatever the cause, arthritis means an inflamed joint that is painful and stiff.

• A. Increasing age
• B. A viral infection
• C. Low blood pressure
• D. Excess vitamin D

Explanation: Years of use thin the cartilage and stiffen the joints, so osteoarthritis is commonest after middle age, with obesity and joint injury…

• A. cures the disease completely
• B. keeps the joints mobile and strengthens the muscles around them
• C. regrows the worn away cartilage
• D. dissolves calcium out of the bones

Explanation: Movement nourishes cartilage, prevents stiffness and builds supporting muscle, which unloads the joint.

• A. eat more organ meats
• B. avoid drinking water
• C. limit purine rich foods and alcohol
• D. stop all physical activity

Explanation: Purines from red meat and organ meats break down to uric acid, the substance that crystallises in the joints during gout, and alcohol…

• A. a graft of tendon
• B. a long course of antibiotics
• C. physiotherapy alone
• D. an artificial prosthesis of metal and plastic

Explanation: Joint replacement, most often of the hip or knee, fits metal and plastic surfaces where cartilage has vanished, relieving pain and…

• A. Actin and myosin
• B. Tropomyosin only
• C. Troponin only
• D. Collagen

Explanation: Muscle contraction involves sliding of actin (thin) filaments past myosin (thick) filaments.

• A. Myofibril
• B. Sarcomere
• C. Muscle fiber
• D. Tendon

Explanation: The sarcomere (between two Z-lines) is the basic functional unit of muscle contraction.

• A. Actin
• B. Myosin
• C. Troponin
• D. Tropomyosin

Explanation: Ca2+ binds to troponin, causing tropomyosin to move and expose myosin-binding sites on actin.

• A. Only cross-bridge formation
• B. Only cross-bridge detachment
• C. Both formation and detachment
• D. Neither

Explanation: ATP is required for myosin head cocking (after power stroke) and detachment from actin.

• A. Only collagen
• B. Only calcium phosphate
• C. Collagen and calcium phosphate
• D. Cartilage only

Explanation: Bone contains organic collagen (flexibility) and inorganic calcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite (hardness).

• A. No movement
• B. Presence of synovial fluid
• C. Cartilage only
• D. Fibrous capsule only

Explanation: Synovial joints (freely movable) contain synovial fluid for lubrication and nutrition of articular cartilage.

• A. Bone-destroying cells
• B. Bone-forming cells
• C. Mature bone cells
• D. Fat cells in bone

Explanation: Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that secrete collagen and matrix, later becoming osteocytes.

• A. Muscle to bone
• B. Bone to bone
• C. Muscle to muscle
• D. Cartilage to cartilage

Explanation: Ligaments connect bone to bone, providing joint stability. Tendons connect muscle to bone.

• A. Excess ATP
• B. Lack of ATP
• C. Excess calcium
• D. Lack of calcium

Explanation: Without ATP, myosin heads cannot detach from actin, causing persistent muscle contraction (rigor mortis).

• A. Only actin
• B. Only myosin
• C. Both actin and myosin
• D. Neither

Explanation: The A-band (dark) contains the entire length of myosin filaments and overlapping actin filaments.

• A. Voluntary
• B. Involuntary
• C. Branched
• D. Unbranched

Explanation: Both contract without conscious control, cardiac muscle beating rhythmically on its own and smooth muscle working the gut, blood vessels…

• A. Hinge
• B. Ball and Socket
• C. Cartilage
• D. Sutures

Explanation: A ball and socket joint such as the shoulder or hip allows movement in every plane including rotation, because the rounded head can turn…