Anatomy & Physiology for Emergency Care: Study Guide
(2025/2026 Syllabus)
Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation
1. What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?
ANSWER ✓ Anatomy is the study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts.
Physiology is the study of how the body and its parts work or function.
2. List the levels of structural organization in the human body from simplest to
most complex.
ANSWER ✓ Chemical > Cellular > Tissue > Organ > Organ System > Organismal.
3. What is the standard anatomical position?
ANSWER ✓ The body is erect with feet slightly apart, palms facing forward, and thumbs
pointing away from the body.
4. A stab wound to the abdomen, just superior to the umbilicus and to the
patient's left, would be in which abdominal quadrant?
ANSWER ✓ The Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ).
5. The heart is located in which body cavity?
ANSWER ✓ The thoracic cavity, specifically within the mediastinum.
6. What is homeostasis, and why is it critical for survival?
ANSWER ✓ Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a relatively stable internal
environment despite external changes. It is critical for survival because cellular functions
require specific conditions (e.g., pH, temperature, glucose levels) to operate efficiently.
7. In a feedback loop, what is the role of the receptor?
ANSWER ✓ The receptor monitors the environment and responds to changes (stimuli).
8. Blood clotting is an example of which type of feedback loop?
ANSWER ✓ Positive feedback loop.
9. Why is negative feedback far more common in the body than positive feedback?
ANSWER ✓ Negative feedback loops reduce the effect of the original stimulus,
promoting stability and a return to homeostasis. Positive feedback loops amplify the
stimulus, leading to an escalating response that is usually for a specific, short-term event
(like childbirth or clotting).
, 10. The popliteal region is located where?
ANSWER ✓ On the posterior aspect of the knee.
Chapter 2: Basic Chemistry
11. What are the three fundamental subatomic particles?
ANSWER ✓ Protons, neutrons, and electrons.
12. A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons is called what?
ANSWER ✓ A covalent bond.
13. Why is water an excellent solvent in the body?
ANSWER ✓ Because of its polarity; the slightly positive and negative ends of water
molecules attract and surround ions and other polar molecules, pulling them apart and
into solution.
14. What is the normal pH range of human blood?
ANSWER ✓ 7.35 to 7.45 (slightly basic/alkaline).
15. A solution with a pH of 4 is considered what?
ANSWER ✓ Acidic.
16. How does a buffer system help maintain pH homeostasis?
ANSWER ✓ Buffers are weak acids or bases that can react with strong acids or bases to
prevent sharp, sudden changes in pH.
17. The most important (high-energy) compound stored in cells for energy is
what?
ANSWER ✓ Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).
Chapter 3: Cells and Tissues
18. What are the three main components of a eukaryotic cell?
ANSWER ✓ The nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane.
(2025/2026 Syllabus)
Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation
1. What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?
ANSWER ✓ Anatomy is the study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts.
Physiology is the study of how the body and its parts work or function.
2. List the levels of structural organization in the human body from simplest to
most complex.
ANSWER ✓ Chemical > Cellular > Tissue > Organ > Organ System > Organismal.
3. What is the standard anatomical position?
ANSWER ✓ The body is erect with feet slightly apart, palms facing forward, and thumbs
pointing away from the body.
4. A stab wound to the abdomen, just superior to the umbilicus and to the
patient's left, would be in which abdominal quadrant?
ANSWER ✓ The Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ).
5. The heart is located in which body cavity?
ANSWER ✓ The thoracic cavity, specifically within the mediastinum.
6. What is homeostasis, and why is it critical for survival?
ANSWER ✓ Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a relatively stable internal
environment despite external changes. It is critical for survival because cellular functions
require specific conditions (e.g., pH, temperature, glucose levels) to operate efficiently.
7. In a feedback loop, what is the role of the receptor?
ANSWER ✓ The receptor monitors the environment and responds to changes (stimuli).
8. Blood clotting is an example of which type of feedback loop?
ANSWER ✓ Positive feedback loop.
9. Why is negative feedback far more common in the body than positive feedback?
ANSWER ✓ Negative feedback loops reduce the effect of the original stimulus,
promoting stability and a return to homeostasis. Positive feedback loops amplify the
stimulus, leading to an escalating response that is usually for a specific, short-term event
(like childbirth or clotting).
, 10. The popliteal region is located where?
ANSWER ✓ On the posterior aspect of the knee.
Chapter 2: Basic Chemistry
11. What are the three fundamental subatomic particles?
ANSWER ✓ Protons, neutrons, and electrons.
12. A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons is called what?
ANSWER ✓ A covalent bond.
13. Why is water an excellent solvent in the body?
ANSWER ✓ Because of its polarity; the slightly positive and negative ends of water
molecules attract and surround ions and other polar molecules, pulling them apart and
into solution.
14. What is the normal pH range of human blood?
ANSWER ✓ 7.35 to 7.45 (slightly basic/alkaline).
15. A solution with a pH of 4 is considered what?
ANSWER ✓ Acidic.
16. How does a buffer system help maintain pH homeostasis?
ANSWER ✓ Buffers are weak acids or bases that can react with strong acids or bases to
prevent sharp, sudden changes in pH.
17. The most important (high-energy) compound stored in cells for energy is
what?
ANSWER ✓ Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).
Chapter 3: Cells and Tissues
18. What are the three main components of a eukaryotic cell?
ANSWER ✓ The nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane.
