Chapter 1- An Introduction to the Human Body
Choose the best answer to each of the following questions.
1) Grant and Gray made extensive studies of the structure of the entire human body and produced atlases documenting their work. Grant and Gray were
A) embryologists
B) histologists
C) neurophysiologists
D) gross anatomists
E) endocrinologists
Answer: D
Reference: Page 2, Anatomy and Physiology Defined
Difficulty: Easy
2) Many scientists and physicians devote their lives to understanding how the body works. These researchers are classified as
A) anatomists
B) histologists
C) physiologists
D) immunologists
E) radiologists
Answer: C
Reference: Page 2 , Anatomy and Physiology Defined
Difficulty: Easy
3) ALL of the following are primarily studies of anatomy (as opposed to physiology) EXCEPT:
A) observing the arrangement of cells in the adrenal gland
B) describing the process by which nerve impulses are transmitted
C) exploring the embryonic origins of endocrine cells
D) finding the location of the biceps femoris muscle
E) identifying types of tissues present in the walls of the intestinal tract
Answer: B
Reference: Page 2, Anatomy and Physiology Defined
Difficulty: Medium
4) ALL of the following are primarily studies of physiology (as opposed to anatomy) EXCEPT:
A) describing the process by which glucose molecules are broken down
B) explaining how substances are secreted from cells
C) describing the process by which nerve impulses are transmitted
D) identifying the types of tissues present in the walls of the intestinal tract
E) identifying the factors that affect blood pressure
Answer: D
Reference: Page 2, Anatomy and Physiology Defined
Difficulty: Medium
5) Which of the following best indicates the relationship between structure and function?
A) Structure and function are independent of each other.
B) Structure determines function.
C) Form (structure) follows function.
D) Both B and C are correct.
E) A, B, and C are correct.
Answer: D
Reference: Page 2, Anatomy and Physiology Defined
Difficulty: Medium
6) Histologists studies groups of cells that work together to form a particular function. Histologists must focus their attention on the ___ level of organization.
A) cells.
B) tissues.
C) chemistry of cells.
D) gross structures of the body.
E) functions of specific organs.
Answer: B
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Hard
7) Which of the following correctly lists the levels of organization in decreasing order of complexity?
A) cellular, tissue, chemical, system, organ, organism
B) chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, system, organism
C) tissue, cellular, chemical, organ, system, organism
D) chemical, tissue, cellular, system, organ, organism
E) organism, system, organ, tissue cellular, chemical
Answer: B
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
8) Which of the following best defines a cell?
A) the basic structural and functional unit of an organism
B) the molecules that form the body's structure
C) a group of cells and the surrounding materials that work together to perform a particular function
D) a group of related organs with a common function
E) the membranes that cover organs
Answer: A
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
9) An organ is defined as a structure that has a recognizable shape, has specific functions and is composed on two or more different types of
A) molecules.
B) cells.
C) systems.
D) tissues.
E) membranes.
Answer: D
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
10) In order to discuss the details of the metabolism of a cell, which level of structural organization would it be most helpful to understand?
A) chemical
B) tissue
C) system
D) organ
E) organism
Answer: A
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
11) The two body systems that regulate homeostasis are the
A) cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
B) cardiovascular and urinary systems.
C) cardiovascular and endocrine systems.
D) nervous and cardiovascular systems.
E) nervous and endocrine systems.
Answer: E
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
12) An explosion sends shrapnel throughout a bystander’s abdominopelvic cavity. Which body system(s) and process (es) will be most directly affected by the injuries caused by the shrapnel?
A) urinary system, filtration and elimination of wastes
B) digestive system, processing and absorption of nutrients
C) respiratory system, exchange of gases
D) A and B are correct.
E) A, B, and C are correct.
Answer: B
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Hard
13) Which of the following best describes the endocrine system?
A) It transmits regulatory signals via nerve impulses.
B) It absorbs nutrients.
C) It contains hair, skin, and nails.
D) It produces blood cells that transport oxygen.
E) It transmits regulatory signals via the release of hormones into the blood.
Answer: E
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
14) The body system that distributes oxygen and nutrients to cells and carries carbon dioxide and wastes away from cells is the
A) respiratory system.
B) cardiovascular system
C) endocrine system.
D) urinary system.
E) integumentary system.
Answer: B
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
15) The system that plays the major role in regulating the volume and chemical composition of blood, eliminating wastes, and regulating fluid and electrolyte balance is the
A) respiratory system.
B) cardiovascular system.
C) endocrine system.
D) urinary system.
E) integumentary system.
Answer: D
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
16) Which of the following are considered part of the integumentary system?
A) liver, stomach, and intestines
B) brain and spinal cord
C) hormone‑secreting glands
D) kidneys and urinary bladder
E) hair, skin, and nails
Answer: E
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
17) Lymphatic vessels may become blocked due to damage that occurs during surgery or due to a parasitic infection called filiariasis. Which of the lymphatic system’s functions would be directly affected by such blockage?
A) absorption of fats from the small intestine
B) return of fluid and protein to the cardiovascular system.
C) activation of some immune cells
D) A and B are correct.
E) B and C are correct.
Answer: E
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Hard
18) Generation of heat (thermogenesis) is a function of the
A) integumentary system.
B) muscular system.
C) cardiovascular system.
D) digestive system.
E) nervous system.
Answer: B
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
19) Which of the following is true regarding the skeletal system?
A) It provides support and protection.
B) It stores vitamins.
C) It initiates body movements.
D) It stores proteins.
E) All of the above are true.
Answer: A
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
20) Assessment of body structure and function by touching body surfaces with the hands is called
A) auscultation.
B) percussion.
C) palpation.
D) autopsy.
E) epidemiology.
Answer: C
Reference: Page 3, Levels of Structural Organization
Difficulty: Medium
21) Which statement is not true concerning characteristics of life?
A) All body cells exhibit irritability to some extent.
B) Each organ system is isolated from all other body systems.
C) Growth can be defined as an increase in size due to an increase in the number of cells.
D) Reproduction occurs on both the cellular and organismal levels.
E) Differentiation results in the specialization of cells.
Answer: B
Reference: Page 5, Characteristics of the Living Human Organism
Difficulty: Medium
22) The sum of all chemical reactions that occur in the body is known as
A) growth.
B) reproduction.
C) metabolism.
D) differentiation.
E) responsiveness.
Answer: C
Reference: Page 5, Characteristics of the Living Human Organism
Difficulty: Medium
23) Tom has been lifting weights. As a result of the physical work, his muscle cells have added proteins and become larger. Which of the following terms best describes this increase in size?
A) metabolism
B) growth
C) responsiveness
D) differentiation
E) reproduction
Answer: B
Reference: Page 5, Characteristics of the Living Human Organism
Difficulty: Medium
24) During the process of development of the skeletal system, embryonic cells, known as mesenchyme cells, may develop into either osteoblasts or chondroblasts, which, in turn, may develop into osteocytes and chondrocytes (respectively). This process is an example of
A) growth.
B) metabolism.
C) differentiation.
D) responsiveness.
E) movement.
Answer: C
Reference: Page 5, Characteristics of the Living Human Organism
Difficulty: Medium
25) Several students are reviewing for their first anatomy and physiology exam. One student asks the others to explain which characteristic of living things is NOT exhibited by a single human organism in nature. The students agree that the only possible characteristic to be considered is reproduction, but they disagree over the explanation. Which of the following explanations is true and should be used by the students?
A) Even single human organisms can reproduce individual cells, as evidenced by growth and repair.
B) Individual humans cannot naturally reproduce themselves because it takes both male sperm and female ova to make a new human.
C) Explanation B is true, but explanation A is not.
D) Explanation A is true, but explanation B is not.
E) Both explanations are correct and should be used.
Answer: B
Reference: Page 5, Characteristics of the Living Human Organism
Difficulty: Hard
26) All of the following are true of a post-mortem examination, or autopsy, except:
A) may reveal previously unknown congenital defects
B) used to confirm or determine the cause of death
C) involves analyses of tissues and body fluids
D) may not be used in criminal investigations
E) involves dissection of internal organs
Answer: D
Reference: Page 5, Characteristics of the Living Human Organism
Difficulty: Medium
27) Homeostasis is the condition in which the body maintains
A) the lowest possible energy usage.
B) a relatively stable internal environment, within limits.
C) a static state with no deviation from preset points.
D) a changing state, with an unlimited range.
E) a relatively stable external environment, within limits.
Answer: B
Reference: Page 5, Characteristics of the Living Human Organism
Difficulty: Medium
28) Which of the following is considered to be the body's "internal environment" when discussing homeostasis?
A) intracellular fluid
B) plasma
C) interstitial fluid
D) hormones
E) lymph
Answer: C
Reference: Page 5, Characteristics of the Living Human Organism
Difficulty: Medium
29) Interstitial fluid is the fluid
A) inside blood vessels.
B) inside cells.
C) between the cells.
D) inside lymph vessels.
E) that is consumed as part of the diet.
Answer: C
Reference: Page 5, Characteristics of the Living Human Organism
Difficulty: Easy
30) Which of the following is not considered to be an extracellular fluid?
A) the fluid inside cells
B) the fluid inside blood vessels
C) the fluid between cells
D) the fluid inside lymphatic vessels
E) the fluid around the brain and spinal cord
Answer: A
Reference: Page 5, Characteristics of the Living Human Organism
Difficulty: Medium
31) A feedback system consists of three basic components: a control center, a receptor and a (an)
A) modulator
B) generator
C) integrator
D) effector
E) regulator
Answer: D
Reference: Page 8, Control of Homeostasis
Difficulty: Easy
32) If a response enhances the original stimulus, the system is classified as a ______feedback system.
A) neutral
B) polarized
C) deficit
D) negative
E) positive
Answer: E
Reference: Page 8, Control of Homeostasis
Difficulty: Medium
33) Osmometer cells sense changes in the concentration of blood plasma; therefore, they must be
A) receptors.
B) control centers.
C) stimulators.
D) modulators.
E) effectors.
Answer: A
Reference: Page 8, Control of Homeostasis
Difficulty: Medium
34) Osmometer cells in the brain sense an increase in the concentration of the blood plasma. They then notify the posterior pituitary gland to release the hormone, ADH. This hormone causes the kidney to save water, which lowers the concentration of the plasma. ALL of the following are TRUE for this scenario EXCEPT:
A) The kidney acts as an effector in this feedback loop.
B) The osmometer cells acts as receptors in this feedback loop.
C) The stimulus in this feedback loop is an increase in the plasma concentration.
D) The controlled condition regulated by this feedback loop is constant ADH secretion.
E) This is an example of a negative feedback loop.
Answer: D
Reference: Page 8, Control of Homeostasis
Difficulty: Hard
35) Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback loop?
A) A neuron is stimulated, thus opening membrane channels to allow sodium ions to leak from the extracellular fluid to the intracellular fluid. This causes more membrane channels to open, thus allowing more sodium ions to enter the intracellular fluid.
B) Baroreceptors notify the brain that the blood pressure has increased. The brain then notifies the blood vessels to dilate, thus lowering the blood pressure.
C) Low levels of glucose in the blood cause the pancreas to release less insulin (a hormone that lowers blood glucose).
D) Elevated body temperature is sensed by cells in the brain. As a result, sweat is produced, and heat is lost as the water in the sweat evaporates.
E) Receptors detect deficient amounts of calcium ions in the blood. The receptors notify the parathyroid gland, which then releases a hormone that causes more calcium ions to be retained in the blood.
Answer: A
Reference: Page 8, Control of Homeostasis
Difficulty: Medium
36) Platelets, which have negatively-charged cell membranes, adhere to the positively charged surface of a torn blood vessel. As they do so, they release substances which attract more platelets to the damaged area and change the charge on their cell membranes to positive. More platelets adhere to the damaged area. The cycle repeats until the damaged area is sealed.
A) This is a negative feedback loop because having too many platelets in one area blocks blood flow.
B) This is a positive feedback loop because the response prevents a person from hemorrhaging to death. .
C) This is a positive feedback loop because the response reinforces the initial change.
D) This is a negative feedback loop because the response opposes the initial stimulus.
E) This is a neutral feedback loop because the positive and negative effects cancel each other.
Answer: D
Reference: Page 8, Control of Homeostasis
Difficulty: Hard
37) Which of the following cannot be present if homeostasis is maintained?
A) negative feedback loops
B) disease or disorder
C) positive feedback loops
D) minor fluctuations in a controlled condition such as body temperature
E) changes in the composition of the ECF
Answer: B
Reference: Page 8, Control of Homeostasis
Difficulty: Medium
38) All of the following would be considered signs of infection EXCEPT:
A) skin lesions of chicken pox
B) elevated body temperature
C) swollen lymph nodes
D) dull pain localized in the back of the neck
E) enlargement of the liver
Answer: D
Reference: Page 8, Control of Homeostasis
Difficulty: Medium
39) Which of the following would be considered a symptom of disease?