APHY 102 Final Exam Questions With Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which hormone is primarily responsible for lowering blood
glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
Rationale: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas and
promotes glucose uptake by cells, glycogen synthesis, and fat storage,
thereby lowering blood glucose. Glucagon, cortisol, and epinephrine
all increase blood glucose through different mechanisms.
2. Which endocrine gland is commonly called the "master gland"?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Adrenal gland
C. Pineal gland
D. Pituitary gland
,Rationale: The pituitary gland is known as the master gland because it
secretes hormones that regulate many other endocrine glands,
including the thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonads.
3. Which hormone stimulates ovulation in females?
A. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
B. Estrogen
C. Progesterone
D. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Rationale: LH surges during the middle of the menstrual cycle,
triggering ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum.
4. Which layer of the adrenal gland produces cortisol?
A. Adrenal medulla
B. Zona glomerulosa
C. Zona reticularis
D. Zona fasciculata
Rationale: The zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex secretes
glucocorticoids, primarily cortisol, which regulates metabolism and
the stress response.
5. Which hormone increases calcium levels in the blood?
A. Calcitonin
B. Aldosterone
, C. Insulin
D. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Rationale: PTH raises blood calcium by stimulating bone resorption,
increasing intestinal absorption through vitamin D activation, and
enhancing renal calcium reabsorption.
6. Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to
the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Superior vena cava
C. Inferior vena cava
D. Pulmonary veins
Rationale: Pulmonary veins are unique because they carry oxygen-rich
blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
7. Which chamber of the heart pumps blood into the systemic
circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Rationale: The left ventricle has the thickest myocardium because it
generates the pressure needed to pump blood throughout the body.
, 8. Which valve prevents backflow from the left ventricle into the left
atrium?
A. Pulmonary valve
B. Aortic valve
C. Tricuspid valve
D. Mitral (bicuspid) valve
Rationale: The mitral valve closes during ventricular contraction,
preventing blood from flowing backward into the left atrium.
9. Which component of blood is responsible for clotting?
A. Erythrocytes
B. Plasma
C. Leukocytes
D. Platelets
Rationale: Platelets initiate blood clot formation by adhering to
damaged blood vessels and activating the coagulation cascade.
10. Which leukocyte is most abundant in healthy adult blood?
A. Basophil
B. Eosinophil
C. Monocyte
D. Neutrophil
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. Which hormone is primarily responsible for lowering blood
glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
Rationale: Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas and
promotes glucose uptake by cells, glycogen synthesis, and fat storage,
thereby lowering blood glucose. Glucagon, cortisol, and epinephrine
all increase blood glucose through different mechanisms.
2. Which endocrine gland is commonly called the "master gland"?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Adrenal gland
C. Pineal gland
D. Pituitary gland
,Rationale: The pituitary gland is known as the master gland because it
secretes hormones that regulate many other endocrine glands,
including the thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonads.
3. Which hormone stimulates ovulation in females?
A. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
B. Estrogen
C. Progesterone
D. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Rationale: LH surges during the middle of the menstrual cycle,
triggering ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum.
4. Which layer of the adrenal gland produces cortisol?
A. Adrenal medulla
B. Zona glomerulosa
C. Zona reticularis
D. Zona fasciculata
Rationale: The zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex secretes
glucocorticoids, primarily cortisol, which regulates metabolism and
the stress response.
5. Which hormone increases calcium levels in the blood?
A. Calcitonin
B. Aldosterone
, C. Insulin
D. Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Rationale: PTH raises blood calcium by stimulating bone resorption,
increasing intestinal absorption through vitamin D activation, and
enhancing renal calcium reabsorption.
6. Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to
the heart?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Superior vena cava
C. Inferior vena cava
D. Pulmonary veins
Rationale: Pulmonary veins are unique because they carry oxygen-rich
blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
7. Which chamber of the heart pumps blood into the systemic
circulation?
A. Right atrium
B. Right ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Left ventricle
Rationale: The left ventricle has the thickest myocardium because it
generates the pressure needed to pump blood throughout the body.
, 8. Which valve prevents backflow from the left ventricle into the left
atrium?
A. Pulmonary valve
B. Aortic valve
C. Tricuspid valve
D. Mitral (bicuspid) valve
Rationale: The mitral valve closes during ventricular contraction,
preventing blood from flowing backward into the left atrium.
9. Which component of blood is responsible for clotting?
A. Erythrocytes
B. Plasma
C. Leukocytes
D. Platelets
Rationale: Platelets initiate blood clot formation by adhering to
damaged blood vessels and activating the coagulation cascade.
10. Which leukocyte is most abundant in healthy adult blood?
A. Basophil
B. Eosinophil
C. Monocyte
D. Neutrophil
