PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 16TH EDITION TORTORA TEST BANK:
COMPLETE UNIVERSITY EXAM FOR CHAPTERS 1-29
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (QUESTIONS 1-80)
1. Which body system primarily regulates homeostasis through electrochemical impulses
delivered to effectors?
A. Endocrine system
B. Nervous system
C. Cardiovascular system
D. Lymphatic system
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The nervous system detects deviations from set points and rapidly transmits
electrical signals to effectors (muscles and glands) to restore homeostasis. The endocrine
system also regulates homeostasis but does so through hormones delivered via the
bloodstream, a slower mechanism. The cardiovascular and lymphatic systems support
homeostasis but do not serve as primary regulatory control centers.
2. A patient presents with a pH of 7.28, PaCO₂ of 55 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ of 26 mEq/L. Which
acid-base disturbance is present?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. An elevated PaCO₂ above 45 mmHg points
to a respiratory cause, as the lungs are failing to adequately eliminate carbon dioxide. The
bicarbonate level is within normal limits, indicating no metabolic compensation has yet
occurred.
3. During skeletal muscle contraction, which event directly follows the binding of calcium
to troponin?
A. ATP hydrolysis by myosin heads
B. Exposure of myosin-binding sites on actin
C. Release of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft
D. Depolarization of the transverse tubules
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Calcium binding to troponin induces a conformational change in the troponin-
tropomyosin complex, physically moving tropomyosin away from the myosin-binding sites
on actin. This allows the myosin heads to attach and execute the power stroke.
Acetylcholine release precedes depolarization and calcium release, while ATP hydrolysis
occurs after cross-bridge formation.
4. Which type of epithelial tissue is best suited for diffusion and filtration due to its minimal
thickness?
A. Stratified squamous epithelium
B. Simple cuboidal epithelium
C. Simple squamous epithelium
D. Transitional epithelium
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Simple squamous epithelium consists of a single layer of flattened cells,
creating the thinnest possible barrier for rapid diffusion of gases and filtration of fluids. This
tissue is found in the alveoli of lungs and the glomerular capsule of kidneys. Stratified
squamous protects against abrasion, cuboidal tissue performs secretion and absorption,
and transitional epithelium accommodates stretching.
, 5. Damage to the substantia nigra pars compacta would most directly impair which
function?
A. Regulation of body temperature
B. Coordination of voluntary movement
C. Production of cerebrospinal fluid
D. Transmission of visual signals
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The substantia nigra pars compacta contains dopaminergic neurons that project
to the basal ganglia, facilitating the initiation and modulation of voluntary movement.
Degeneration of these neurons is the hallmark of Parkinson's disease, producing
bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor. Thermoregulation involves the hypothalamus, CSF
production involves the choroid plexus, and visual transmission involves the thalamus and
occipital cortex.
6. Which hormone is secreted by the posterior pituitary gland?
A. Growth hormone
B. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
C. Oxytocin
D. Adrenocorticotropic hormone
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone
(ADH), which are synthesized by hypothalamic neurons. Growth hormone, TSH, and ACTH
are all produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. This distinction reflects the
different embryological origins and functional organization of the two pituitary lobes.
7. A patient with type A blood can safely receive which of the following blood types?
A. Type B only
B. Type AB only
C. Type A or type O
D. Type B or type AB
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Type A blood contains anti-B antibodies in the plasma. Therefore, the recipient
cannot receive type B or type AB blood, as the B antigens would trigger agglutination. Type
COMPLETE UNIVERSITY EXAM FOR CHAPTERS 1-29
SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (QUESTIONS 1-80)
1. Which body system primarily regulates homeostasis through electrochemical impulses
delivered to effectors?
A. Endocrine system
B. Nervous system
C. Cardiovascular system
D. Lymphatic system
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The nervous system detects deviations from set points and rapidly transmits
electrical signals to effectors (muscles and glands) to restore homeostasis. The endocrine
system also regulates homeostasis but does so through hormones delivered via the
bloodstream, a slower mechanism. The cardiovascular and lymphatic systems support
homeostasis but do not serve as primary regulatory control centers.
2. A patient presents with a pH of 7.28, PaCO₂ of 55 mmHg, and HCO₃⁻ of 26 mEq/L. Which
acid-base disturbance is present?
A. Respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. An elevated PaCO₂ above 45 mmHg points
to a respiratory cause, as the lungs are failing to adequately eliminate carbon dioxide. The
bicarbonate level is within normal limits, indicating no metabolic compensation has yet
occurred.
3. During skeletal muscle contraction, which event directly follows the binding of calcium
to troponin?
A. ATP hydrolysis by myosin heads
B. Exposure of myosin-binding sites on actin
C. Release of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft
D. Depolarization of the transverse tubules
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: Calcium binding to troponin induces a conformational change in the troponin-
tropomyosin complex, physically moving tropomyosin away from the myosin-binding sites
on actin. This allows the myosin heads to attach and execute the power stroke.
Acetylcholine release precedes depolarization and calcium release, while ATP hydrolysis
occurs after cross-bridge formation.
4. Which type of epithelial tissue is best suited for diffusion and filtration due to its minimal
thickness?
A. Stratified squamous epithelium
B. Simple cuboidal epithelium
C. Simple squamous epithelium
D. Transitional epithelium
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Simple squamous epithelium consists of a single layer of flattened cells,
creating the thinnest possible barrier for rapid diffusion of gases and filtration of fluids. This
tissue is found in the alveoli of lungs and the glomerular capsule of kidneys. Stratified
squamous protects against abrasion, cuboidal tissue performs secretion and absorption,
and transitional epithelium accommodates stretching.
, 5. Damage to the substantia nigra pars compacta would most directly impair which
function?
A. Regulation of body temperature
B. Coordination of voluntary movement
C. Production of cerebrospinal fluid
D. Transmission of visual signals
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale: The substantia nigra pars compacta contains dopaminergic neurons that project
to the basal ganglia, facilitating the initiation and modulation of voluntary movement.
Degeneration of these neurons is the hallmark of Parkinson's disease, producing
bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor. Thermoregulation involves the hypothalamus, CSF
production involves the choroid plexus, and visual transmission involves the thalamus and
occipital cortex.
6. Which hormone is secreted by the posterior pituitary gland?
A. Growth hormone
B. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
C. Oxytocin
D. Adrenocorticotropic hormone
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone
(ADH), which are synthesized by hypothalamic neurons. Growth hormone, TSH, and ACTH
are all produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. This distinction reflects the
different embryological origins and functional organization of the two pituitary lobes.
7. A patient with type A blood can safely receive which of the following blood types?
A. Type B only
B. Type AB only
C. Type A or type O
D. Type B or type AB
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale: Type A blood contains anti-B antibodies in the plasma. Therefore, the recipient
cannot receive type B or type AB blood, as the B antigens would trigger agglutination. Type
