💥 Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition (OpenStax) 2025 –
Verified Master Test Bank for
Complete Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, Immune &
Respiratory Systems Review | 100% Correct Answers,
Rationale-Based Solutions, and Concept Mastery Guide
1. Which of the following specialties might focus on studying all of the structures of
the ankle and foot?
A. Microscopic anatomy
B. Muscle anatomy
C. Regional anatomy
D. Systemic anatomy
Answer: C. Regional anatomy
Rationale: Regional anatomy studies all structures (bones, muscles, vessels, nerves) in
a specific area of the body.
2. A scientist wants to study how the body uses foods and fluids during a marathon
run. This scientist is most likely a(n) _____.
A. exercise physiologist
B. microscopic anatomist
C. regional physiologist
D. systemic anatomist
Answer: A. exercise physiologist
Rationale: Exercise physiologists study how the body responds to physical activity and
use of resources like energy and fluids.
3. The smallest independently functioning biological unit of an organism is a(n)
_____.
A. cell
B. molecule
C. organ
D. tissue
Answer: A. cell
Rationale: Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life.
4. A collection of similar tissues that performs a specific function is an _____.
A. organ
B. organelle
C. organism
D. organ system
, Answer: A. organ
Rationale: Organs are made up of tissues working together to perform particular tasks.
5. The body system responsible for structural support and movement is the _____.
A. cardiovascular system
B. endocrine system
C. muscular system
D. skeletal system
Answer: D. skeletal system
Rationale: The skeletal system provides support and works with muscles to enable
movement.
6. Metabolism can be defined as the _____.
A. adjustment by an organism to external or internal changes
B. process whereby all unspecialized cells become specialized
C. process whereby new cells are formed to replace worn-out ones
D. sum of all chemical reactions in an organism
Answer: D. sum of all chemical reactions in an organism
Rationale: Metabolism includes both anabolic (building up) and catabolic (breaking
down) reactions.
7. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an important molecule because it _____.
A. is the result of catabolism
B. releases energy in uncontrolled bursts
C. stores energy for use by body cells
D. All of the above
Answer: C. stores energy for use by body cells
Rationale: ATP stores and transfers energy for cellular processes.
8. Cancer cells can be characterized as “generic” cells that perform no specialized
body function. Thus cancer cells lack _____.
A. differentiation
B. reproduction
C. responsiveness
D. both reproduction and responsiveness
Answer: A. differentiation
Rationale: Cancer cells often lose their ability to differentiate, performing no specialized
function.
9. Humans have the most urgent need for a continuous supply of _____.
A. food
B. nitrogen
C. oxygen
D. water
, Answer: C. oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen is critical for cellular respiration and survival — life can only last
minutes without it.
10.Which of the following statements about nutrients is true?
A. All classes of nutrients are essential to human survival.
B. Because the body cannot store any micronutrients, they need to be consumed nearly
every day.
C. Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are micronutrients.
D. Macronutrients are vitamins and minerals.
Answer: A. All classes of nutrients are essential to human survival.
Rationale: All nutrient classes (macronutrients & micronutrients) are essential, though
storage and daily needs vary.
11.C.J. is stuck in their car during a bitterly cold blizzard. Their body responds to the
cold by _____.
A. increasing the blood to the hands and feet
B. becoming lethargic to conserve heat
C. breaking down stored energy
D. significantly increasing blood oxygen levels
Answer: C. breaking down stored energy
Rationale: In cold conditions, metabolism increases to generate heat from stored
energy (e.g. fat, glycogen).
12.After you eat lunch, nerve cells in your stomach respond to the distension
(stimulus). They relay this information to _____.
A. a control center
B. a set point
C. effectors
D. sensors
Answer: A. a control center
Rationale: Signals from sensory receptors go to the control center (e.g., brain or
integrating center) before effectors act.
13.Stimulation of the heat-loss center causes _____.
A. blood vessels in the skin to constrict
B. breathing to become slow and shallow
C. sweat glands to increase their output
D. All of the above
Answer: C. sweat glands to increase their output
Rationale: To lose heat, the body increases sweating and dilates skin blood vessels
(not constrict).
, 14.Which of the following is an example of a normal physiologic process that uses a
positive feedback loop?
A. blood pressure regulation
B. childbirth
C. regulation of fluid balance
D. temperature regulation
Answer: B. childbirth
Rationale: During labor, stretching of cervix increases oxytocin release and intensifies
contractions (positive feedback).
15.What is the position of the body when it is in the “normal anatomical position?”
A. Prone with palms touching sides
B. Standing facing observer, arms at sides, palms forward
C. Supine with palms touching sides
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Standing facing observer, arms at sides, palms forward
Rationale: This is the standard anatomical reference posture.
16.To make a banana split, you halve a banana into two long, thin, right and left sides
along the _____.
A. coronal plane
B. longitudinal plane
C. midsagittal plane
D. transverse plane
Answer: C. midsagittal plane
Rationale: The midsagittal (median) plane divides the body into equal left and right
halves.
17.The lumbar region is _____.
A. inferior to the gluteal region
B. inferior to the umbilical region
C. superior to the cervical region
D. superior to the popliteal region
Answer: B. inferior to the umbilical region
Rationale: The lumbar area is lower (inferior) relative to the umbilical region.
18.The heart is within the _____.
A. cranial cavity
B. mediastinum
C. posterior (dorsal) cavity
D. All of the above
Answer: B. mediastinum
Rationale: The mediastinum is the central compartment containing the heart (not in
Verified Master Test Bank for
Complete Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, Immune &
Respiratory Systems Review | 100% Correct Answers,
Rationale-Based Solutions, and Concept Mastery Guide
1. Which of the following specialties might focus on studying all of the structures of
the ankle and foot?
A. Microscopic anatomy
B. Muscle anatomy
C. Regional anatomy
D. Systemic anatomy
Answer: C. Regional anatomy
Rationale: Regional anatomy studies all structures (bones, muscles, vessels, nerves) in
a specific area of the body.
2. A scientist wants to study how the body uses foods and fluids during a marathon
run. This scientist is most likely a(n) _____.
A. exercise physiologist
B. microscopic anatomist
C. regional physiologist
D. systemic anatomist
Answer: A. exercise physiologist
Rationale: Exercise physiologists study how the body responds to physical activity and
use of resources like energy and fluids.
3. The smallest independently functioning biological unit of an organism is a(n)
_____.
A. cell
B. molecule
C. organ
D. tissue
Answer: A. cell
Rationale: Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life.
4. A collection of similar tissues that performs a specific function is an _____.
A. organ
B. organelle
C. organism
D. organ system
, Answer: A. organ
Rationale: Organs are made up of tissues working together to perform particular tasks.
5. The body system responsible for structural support and movement is the _____.
A. cardiovascular system
B. endocrine system
C. muscular system
D. skeletal system
Answer: D. skeletal system
Rationale: The skeletal system provides support and works with muscles to enable
movement.
6. Metabolism can be defined as the _____.
A. adjustment by an organism to external or internal changes
B. process whereby all unspecialized cells become specialized
C. process whereby new cells are formed to replace worn-out ones
D. sum of all chemical reactions in an organism
Answer: D. sum of all chemical reactions in an organism
Rationale: Metabolism includes both anabolic (building up) and catabolic (breaking
down) reactions.
7. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an important molecule because it _____.
A. is the result of catabolism
B. releases energy in uncontrolled bursts
C. stores energy for use by body cells
D. All of the above
Answer: C. stores energy for use by body cells
Rationale: ATP stores and transfers energy for cellular processes.
8. Cancer cells can be characterized as “generic” cells that perform no specialized
body function. Thus cancer cells lack _____.
A. differentiation
B. reproduction
C. responsiveness
D. both reproduction and responsiveness
Answer: A. differentiation
Rationale: Cancer cells often lose their ability to differentiate, performing no specialized
function.
9. Humans have the most urgent need for a continuous supply of _____.
A. food
B. nitrogen
C. oxygen
D. water
, Answer: C. oxygen
Rationale: Oxygen is critical for cellular respiration and survival — life can only last
minutes without it.
10.Which of the following statements about nutrients is true?
A. All classes of nutrients are essential to human survival.
B. Because the body cannot store any micronutrients, they need to be consumed nearly
every day.
C. Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are micronutrients.
D. Macronutrients are vitamins and minerals.
Answer: A. All classes of nutrients are essential to human survival.
Rationale: All nutrient classes (macronutrients & micronutrients) are essential, though
storage and daily needs vary.
11.C.J. is stuck in their car during a bitterly cold blizzard. Their body responds to the
cold by _____.
A. increasing the blood to the hands and feet
B. becoming lethargic to conserve heat
C. breaking down stored energy
D. significantly increasing blood oxygen levels
Answer: C. breaking down stored energy
Rationale: In cold conditions, metabolism increases to generate heat from stored
energy (e.g. fat, glycogen).
12.After you eat lunch, nerve cells in your stomach respond to the distension
(stimulus). They relay this information to _____.
A. a control center
B. a set point
C. effectors
D. sensors
Answer: A. a control center
Rationale: Signals from sensory receptors go to the control center (e.g., brain or
integrating center) before effectors act.
13.Stimulation of the heat-loss center causes _____.
A. blood vessels in the skin to constrict
B. breathing to become slow and shallow
C. sweat glands to increase their output
D. All of the above
Answer: C. sweat glands to increase their output
Rationale: To lose heat, the body increases sweating and dilates skin blood vessels
(not constrict).
, 14.Which of the following is an example of a normal physiologic process that uses a
positive feedback loop?
A. blood pressure regulation
B. childbirth
C. regulation of fluid balance
D. temperature regulation
Answer: B. childbirth
Rationale: During labor, stretching of cervix increases oxytocin release and intensifies
contractions (positive feedback).
15.What is the position of the body when it is in the “normal anatomical position?”
A. Prone with palms touching sides
B. Standing facing observer, arms at sides, palms forward
C. Supine with palms touching sides
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Standing facing observer, arms at sides, palms forward
Rationale: This is the standard anatomical reference posture.
16.To make a banana split, you halve a banana into two long, thin, right and left sides
along the _____.
A. coronal plane
B. longitudinal plane
C. midsagittal plane
D. transverse plane
Answer: C. midsagittal plane
Rationale: The midsagittal (median) plane divides the body into equal left and right
halves.
17.The lumbar region is _____.
A. inferior to the gluteal region
B. inferior to the umbilical region
C. superior to the cervical region
D. superior to the popliteal region
Answer: B. inferior to the umbilical region
Rationale: The lumbar area is lower (inferior) relative to the umbilical region.
18.The heart is within the _____.
A. cranial cavity
B. mediastinum
C. posterior (dorsal) cavity
D. All of the above
Answer: B. mediastinum
Rationale: The mediastinum is the central compartment containing the heart (not in
