Anatomy & Physiology Final Exam: 150 Questions with
Answers and Rationales
1. The study of the function of the body and its parts is called:
A) Anatomy
B) Physiology
C) Histology
D) Cytology
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiology is the study of the function of the body and its parts. Anatomy is
the study of structure, histology is the study of tissues, and cytology is the study of cells .
2. The correct hierarchical order of structural organization in the human body
from simplest to most complex is:
A) Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
B) Cellular, chemical, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
C) Chemical, tissue, cellular, organ, organ system, organism
D) Tissue, cellular, chemical, organ, organ system, organism
,Answer: A
Rationale: The levels of organization are: chemical (atoms/molecules) → cellular → tissue
→ organ → organ system → organismal . This hierarchy reflects increasing complexity.
3. The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite external
changes is called:
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Anabolism
D) Catabolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment
despite external changes. It is essential for normal body function .
4. A mechanism that reverses a change in the body to return the system to its set
point is called:
A) Positive feedback
B) Negative feedback
C) Feedforward regulation
D) Homeostatic imbalance
Answer: B
Rationale: Negative feedback mechanisms counteract changes, returning the system to its
set point. Examples include body temperature regulation and blood glucose control .
5. Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback mechanism?
A) Body temperature regulation
B) Blood glucose regulation
,C) Blood clotting
D) Blood pressure regulation
Answer: C
Rationale: Positive feedback amplifies the original stimulus, as in blood clotting where
platelets release chemicals that attract more platelets, accelerating the process .
6. Which of the following directional terms means "toward the front"?
A) Posterior
B) Superior
C) Anterior
D) Medial
Answer: C
Rationale: Anterior means toward the front of the body. Posterior means toward the back.
Superior means above, and medial means toward the midline .
7. The sagittal plane divides the body into:
A) Superior and inferior portions
B) Left and right portions
C) Anterior and posterior portions
D) Proximal and distal portions
Answer: B
Rationale: The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions. The frontal
(coronal) plane divides anterior/posterior, and the transverse plane divides
superior/inferior .
8. Which of the following elements is NOT one of the primary building blocks of
life?
, A) Carbon
B) Oxygen
C) Calcium
D) Nitrogen
Answer: C
Rationale: The primary building blocks of life are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
phosphorus, and sulfur (CHONPS). Calcium is important but not a primary building block.
9. ATP functions as the:
A) Structural protein of cells
B) Genetic material
C) Energy currency of the cell
D) Storage form of glucose
Answer: C
Rationale: ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the main energy carrier in cells, storing and
releasing energy for cellular processes .
10. The pH scale measures:
A) Temperature
B) Hydrogen ion concentration
C) Glucose concentration
D) Oxygen concentration
Answer: B
Rationale: The pH scale measures hydrogen ion (H⁺) concentration. Values below 7 are
acidic, 7 is neutral, and above 7 are basic (alkaline).
11. Which type of chemical bond is formed when atoms share electrons?
Answers and Rationales
1. The study of the function of the body and its parts is called:
A) Anatomy
B) Physiology
C) Histology
D) Cytology
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiology is the study of the function of the body and its parts. Anatomy is
the study of structure, histology is the study of tissues, and cytology is the study of cells .
2. The correct hierarchical order of structural organization in the human body
from simplest to most complex is:
A) Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
B) Cellular, chemical, tissue, organ, organ system, organism
C) Chemical, tissue, cellular, organ, organ system, organism
D) Tissue, cellular, chemical, organ, organ system, organism
,Answer: A
Rationale: The levels of organization are: chemical (atoms/molecules) → cellular → tissue
→ organ → organ system → organismal . This hierarchy reflects increasing complexity.
3. The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite external
changes is called:
A) Metabolism
B) Homeostasis
C) Anabolism
D) Catabolism
Answer: B
Rationale: Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment
despite external changes. It is essential for normal body function .
4. A mechanism that reverses a change in the body to return the system to its set
point is called:
A) Positive feedback
B) Negative feedback
C) Feedforward regulation
D) Homeostatic imbalance
Answer: B
Rationale: Negative feedback mechanisms counteract changes, returning the system to its
set point. Examples include body temperature regulation and blood glucose control .
5. Which of the following is an example of a positive feedback mechanism?
A) Body temperature regulation
B) Blood glucose regulation
,C) Blood clotting
D) Blood pressure regulation
Answer: C
Rationale: Positive feedback amplifies the original stimulus, as in blood clotting where
platelets release chemicals that attract more platelets, accelerating the process .
6. Which of the following directional terms means "toward the front"?
A) Posterior
B) Superior
C) Anterior
D) Medial
Answer: C
Rationale: Anterior means toward the front of the body. Posterior means toward the back.
Superior means above, and medial means toward the midline .
7. The sagittal plane divides the body into:
A) Superior and inferior portions
B) Left and right portions
C) Anterior and posterior portions
D) Proximal and distal portions
Answer: B
Rationale: The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions. The frontal
(coronal) plane divides anterior/posterior, and the transverse plane divides
superior/inferior .
8. Which of the following elements is NOT one of the primary building blocks of
life?
, A) Carbon
B) Oxygen
C) Calcium
D) Nitrogen
Answer: C
Rationale: The primary building blocks of life are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
phosphorus, and sulfur (CHONPS). Calcium is important but not a primary building block.
9. ATP functions as the:
A) Structural protein of cells
B) Genetic material
C) Energy currency of the cell
D) Storage form of glucose
Answer: C
Rationale: ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is the main energy carrier in cells, storing and
releasing energy for cellular processes .
10. The pH scale measures:
A) Temperature
B) Hydrogen ion concentration
C) Glucose concentration
D) Oxygen concentration
Answer: B
Rationale: The pH scale measures hydrogen ion (H⁺) concentration. Values below 7 are
acidic, 7 is neutral, and above 7 are basic (alkaline).
11. Which type of chemical bond is formed when atoms share electrons?
