ALL HESI A2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY EXAMS 2025 | REAL
EXAMS |GUARANTEED PASS |COMPLETE (best answers)
Question 1
Which cellular organelle is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids
into vesicles for transport to other organelles or secretion out of the cell?
A) Ribosome
B) Mitochondrion
C) Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
D) Golgi apparatus
E) Lysosome
Correct Answer: D) Golgi apparatus
Rationale: The Golgi apparatus (or complex) functions as the cell's "post office." It receives
proteins from the RER and lipids from the SER, further modifies them, and then packages
them into membrane-bound vesicles for distribution to their final destinations both within
and outside the cell via exocytosis.
Question 2
What is the structural and functional unit of compact bone, composed of concentric layers of
mineralized matrix surrounding a central Haversian canal?
A) Lacuna
B) Canaliculus
C) Osteon (Haversian System)
D) Trabecula
E) Osteocyte
Correct Answer: C) Osteon (Haversian System)
Rationale: The osteon, or Haversian system, is the fundamental microscopic unit of compact
bone. It consists of the central canal (containing blood vessels and nerves), surrounded by
concentric layers of bony matrix called lamellae, with osteocytes (bone cells) embedded in
small spaces called lacunae.
Question 3
Which primary tissue type is characterized by having a large amount of non-living, extracellular
matrix, and includes bone, cartilage, blood, and adipose tissue?
A) Epithelial tissue
B) Connective tissue
C) Muscle tissue
D) Nervous tissue
E) Endothelium
Correct Answer: B) Connective tissue
Rationale: Connective tissue is distinguished by its composition, which is mostly a non-living
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extracellular matrix (ground substance and fibers like collagen) that separates the living
cells. This matrix provides the support, strength, and integrity required for diverse
functions, ranging from binding organs (tendons/ligaments) to transporting substances
(blood).
Question 4
The integumentary system contains the outermost layer of the skin, which is composed of
keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. What is this layer called?
A) Hypodermis (Subcutaneous Layer)
B) Dermis
C) Epidermis
D) Stratum Basale
E) Reticular layer
Correct Answer: C) Epidermis
Rationale: The epidermis is the outermost, protective layer of the skin. It is avascular (lacks
blood vessels) and is primarily composed of keratinocytes, which produce the tough,
waterproof protein keratin. The cells in the epidermis are continuously shed and replaced.
Question 5
Which muscle fiber type is non-striated, involuntary, and found lining the walls of hollow
internal organs such as the stomach, bladder, and blood vessels?
A) Skeletal muscle
B) Cardiac muscle
C) Smooth muscle
D) Multinucleated muscle
E) Extensor muscle
Correct Answer: C) Smooth muscle
Rationale: Smooth muscle is characterized by a lack of striations (non-striated) and its
involuntary control by the autonomic nervous system. It is responsible for slow, sustained
contractions that move substances through organ tracts (e.g., peristalsis in the digestive
system) and regulate blood flow (vasoconstriction/vasodilation).
Question 6
What is the primary function of the dendrites on a typical neuron?
A) To transmit nerve impulses away from the cell body (soma).
B) To receive signals and carry nerve impulses toward the cell body (soma).
C) To produce the myelin sheath for insulation.
D) To generate and propagate the action potential.
E) To store neurotransmitters in synaptic vesicles.
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Correct Answer: B) To receive signals and carry nerve impulses toward the cell body (soma).
Rationale: Dendrites are short, highly branched extensions of the neuron cell body. Their
specialized role is to act as the primary receptive sites, detecting and conducting electrical
signals or chemical stimuli (neurotransmitters) from other neurons toward the central cell
body.
Question 7
The hormone parathyroid hormone (PTH) has which primary effect on blood calcium levels?
A) It lowers blood calcium levels by stimulating bone deposition.
B) It raises blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity and calcium reabsorption in
the kidneys.
C) It regulates blood glucose levels.
D) It promotes the growth of long bones.
E) It causes the liver to release stored glucose.
Correct Answer: B) It raises blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity and
calcium reabsorption in the kidneys.
Rationale: Parathyroid hormone (PTH), secreted by the parathyroid glands, is the primary
regulator of blood calcium. When calcium levels are low (hypocalcemia), PTH is released.
It stimulates osteoclasts to break down bone (releasing Ca+), increases calcium
reabsorption in the kidney tubules, and promotes the synthesis of active Vitamin D, all of
which elevate serum calcium.
Question 8
Which component of the circulatory system carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle
of the heart to the lungs for gas exchange?
A) Pulmonary vein
B) Aorta
C) Pulmonary artery
D) Vena Cava
E) Coronary artery
Correct Answer: C) Pulmonary artery
Rationale: The pulmonary artery is unique because it carries deoxygenated blood. It leaves
the right ventricle, delivering blood to the lungs where it will release carbon dioxide and
pick up oxygen (gas exchange). All other arteries in the body carry oxygenated blood.
Question 9
In the process of respiration, what is the structure (thin-walled sac) that serves as the primary site
for external gas exchange (O2 and CO2) between the air and the blood?
A) Bronchus
B) Trachea
C) Bronchiole
, [Type here]
D) Alveolus
E) Pleural cavity
Correct Answer: D) Alveolus
Rationale: Alveoli (alveolar sacs) are the microscopic, balloon-like terminal ends of the
respiratory passages. Their thin, single-celled walls and vast surface area are perfectly
designed for the rapid diffusion of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of the
blood (external respiration).
Question 10
Which accessory organ of the digestive system produces bile, detoxifies blood, and plays a
central role in metabolic homeostasis (e.g., glycogen storage)?
A) Gallbladder
B) Spleen
C) Pancreas
D) Liver
E) Duodenum
Correct Answer: D) Liver
Rationale: The liver is one of the largest and most metabolically complex organs. Its
primary digestive role is the production of bile, which emulsifies fats in the small intestine.
Its critical systemic roles include detoxification, protein synthesis, and the regulation of
blood sugar through the storage and release of glycogen.
Question 11
The primary function of the frontal bone is to protect which part of the central nervous system?
A) Cerebellum
B) Spinal cord
C) Pons
D) Frontal Lobe of the cerebrum
E) Occipital Lobe
Correct Answer: D) Frontal Lobe of the cerebrum
Rationale: The frontal bone is the large, single bone forming the anterior (forehead) and
superior part of the skull. It provides vital protection to the underlying frontal lobe of the
cerebrum, which is responsible for executive functions, planning, and personality.
Question 12
Which type of joint provides the greatest range of movement (tri-axial movement) and includes
the shoulder and hip joints?
A) Hinge joint
B) Pivot joint
C) Saddle joint
EXAMS |GUARANTEED PASS |COMPLETE (best answers)
Question 1
Which cellular organelle is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids
into vesicles for transport to other organelles or secretion out of the cell?
A) Ribosome
B) Mitochondrion
C) Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
D) Golgi apparatus
E) Lysosome
Correct Answer: D) Golgi apparatus
Rationale: The Golgi apparatus (or complex) functions as the cell's "post office." It receives
proteins from the RER and lipids from the SER, further modifies them, and then packages
them into membrane-bound vesicles for distribution to their final destinations both within
and outside the cell via exocytosis.
Question 2
What is the structural and functional unit of compact bone, composed of concentric layers of
mineralized matrix surrounding a central Haversian canal?
A) Lacuna
B) Canaliculus
C) Osteon (Haversian System)
D) Trabecula
E) Osteocyte
Correct Answer: C) Osteon (Haversian System)
Rationale: The osteon, or Haversian system, is the fundamental microscopic unit of compact
bone. It consists of the central canal (containing blood vessels and nerves), surrounded by
concentric layers of bony matrix called lamellae, with osteocytes (bone cells) embedded in
small spaces called lacunae.
Question 3
Which primary tissue type is characterized by having a large amount of non-living, extracellular
matrix, and includes bone, cartilage, blood, and adipose tissue?
A) Epithelial tissue
B) Connective tissue
C) Muscle tissue
D) Nervous tissue
E) Endothelium
Correct Answer: B) Connective tissue
Rationale: Connective tissue is distinguished by its composition, which is mostly a non-living
,[Type here]
extracellular matrix (ground substance and fibers like collagen) that separates the living
cells. This matrix provides the support, strength, and integrity required for diverse
functions, ranging from binding organs (tendons/ligaments) to transporting substances
(blood).
Question 4
The integumentary system contains the outermost layer of the skin, which is composed of
keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. What is this layer called?
A) Hypodermis (Subcutaneous Layer)
B) Dermis
C) Epidermis
D) Stratum Basale
E) Reticular layer
Correct Answer: C) Epidermis
Rationale: The epidermis is the outermost, protective layer of the skin. It is avascular (lacks
blood vessels) and is primarily composed of keratinocytes, which produce the tough,
waterproof protein keratin. The cells in the epidermis are continuously shed and replaced.
Question 5
Which muscle fiber type is non-striated, involuntary, and found lining the walls of hollow
internal organs such as the stomach, bladder, and blood vessels?
A) Skeletal muscle
B) Cardiac muscle
C) Smooth muscle
D) Multinucleated muscle
E) Extensor muscle
Correct Answer: C) Smooth muscle
Rationale: Smooth muscle is characterized by a lack of striations (non-striated) and its
involuntary control by the autonomic nervous system. It is responsible for slow, sustained
contractions that move substances through organ tracts (e.g., peristalsis in the digestive
system) and regulate blood flow (vasoconstriction/vasodilation).
Question 6
What is the primary function of the dendrites on a typical neuron?
A) To transmit nerve impulses away from the cell body (soma).
B) To receive signals and carry nerve impulses toward the cell body (soma).
C) To produce the myelin sheath for insulation.
D) To generate and propagate the action potential.
E) To store neurotransmitters in synaptic vesicles.
,[Type here]
Correct Answer: B) To receive signals and carry nerve impulses toward the cell body (soma).
Rationale: Dendrites are short, highly branched extensions of the neuron cell body. Their
specialized role is to act as the primary receptive sites, detecting and conducting electrical
signals or chemical stimuli (neurotransmitters) from other neurons toward the central cell
body.
Question 7
The hormone parathyroid hormone (PTH) has which primary effect on blood calcium levels?
A) It lowers blood calcium levels by stimulating bone deposition.
B) It raises blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity and calcium reabsorption in
the kidneys.
C) It regulates blood glucose levels.
D) It promotes the growth of long bones.
E) It causes the liver to release stored glucose.
Correct Answer: B) It raises blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity and
calcium reabsorption in the kidneys.
Rationale: Parathyroid hormone (PTH), secreted by the parathyroid glands, is the primary
regulator of blood calcium. When calcium levels are low (hypocalcemia), PTH is released.
It stimulates osteoclasts to break down bone (releasing Ca+), increases calcium
reabsorption in the kidney tubules, and promotes the synthesis of active Vitamin D, all of
which elevate serum calcium.
Question 8
Which component of the circulatory system carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle
of the heart to the lungs for gas exchange?
A) Pulmonary vein
B) Aorta
C) Pulmonary artery
D) Vena Cava
E) Coronary artery
Correct Answer: C) Pulmonary artery
Rationale: The pulmonary artery is unique because it carries deoxygenated blood. It leaves
the right ventricle, delivering blood to the lungs where it will release carbon dioxide and
pick up oxygen (gas exchange). All other arteries in the body carry oxygenated blood.
Question 9
In the process of respiration, what is the structure (thin-walled sac) that serves as the primary site
for external gas exchange (O2 and CO2) between the air and the blood?
A) Bronchus
B) Trachea
C) Bronchiole
, [Type here]
D) Alveolus
E) Pleural cavity
Correct Answer: D) Alveolus
Rationale: Alveoli (alveolar sacs) are the microscopic, balloon-like terminal ends of the
respiratory passages. Their thin, single-celled walls and vast surface area are perfectly
designed for the rapid diffusion of oxygen into the blood and carbon dioxide out of the
blood (external respiration).
Question 10
Which accessory organ of the digestive system produces bile, detoxifies blood, and plays a
central role in metabolic homeostasis (e.g., glycogen storage)?
A) Gallbladder
B) Spleen
C) Pancreas
D) Liver
E) Duodenum
Correct Answer: D) Liver
Rationale: The liver is one of the largest and most metabolically complex organs. Its
primary digestive role is the production of bile, which emulsifies fats in the small intestine.
Its critical systemic roles include detoxification, protein synthesis, and the regulation of
blood sugar through the storage and release of glycogen.
Question 11
The primary function of the frontal bone is to protect which part of the central nervous system?
A) Cerebellum
B) Spinal cord
C) Pons
D) Frontal Lobe of the cerebrum
E) Occipital Lobe
Correct Answer: D) Frontal Lobe of the cerebrum
Rationale: The frontal bone is the large, single bone forming the anterior (forehead) and
superior part of the skull. It provides vital protection to the underlying frontal lobe of the
cerebrum, which is responsible for executive functions, planning, and personality.
Question 12
Which type of joint provides the greatest range of movement (tri-axial movement) and includes
the shoulder and hip joints?
A) Hinge joint
B) Pivot joint
C) Saddle joint
