Comprehensive Sample Test Bank:
Structure & Function of the Body,
16th Edition (Patton & Thibodeau) –
Chapters 1–22
1. The word derived from two word parts that mean "cutting apart" is:
A. Physiology
B. Homeostasis
C. Anatomy
D. Histology
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The term "anatomy" comes from the
Greek words "ana" (up or apart) and "tome" (a cutting), literally meaning "a
cutting up". This reflects the historical method of studying the body's
structure through dissection. Physiology (A) is the study of function,
homeostasis (B) is the maintenance of a stable internal environment, and
histology (D) is the study of tissues.
2. The study of how the body functions is called:
A. Anatomy
B. Physiology
C. Cytology
D. Embryology
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Physiology is the scientific discipline
that investigates the processes and functions of living organisms and their
parts. Anatomy (A) is the study of structure, cytology (C) is the study of
cells, and embryology (D) is the study of development before birth.
, 3. The correct sequence of the levels of organization in the human
body, from simplest to most complex, is:
A. Cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organism
B. Tissues, cells, organs, organ systems, organism
C. Cells, organs, tissues, organ systems, organism
D. Organ systems, organs, tissues, cells, organism
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The structural organization of the body
follows a specific hierarchy: chemical level → cellular level → tissue level →
organ level → organ system level → organism level. Cells are the basic units
of life, which combine to form tissues, which in turn form organs, then
organ systems, and finally the complete organism.
4. The internal living material of the cell, excluding the nucleus, is
called the:
A. Cytoplasm
B. Organelles
C. Cytosol
D. Nucleoplasm
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Cytoplasm is the general term for the
internal living material of the cell, which includes all the cellular contents
between the plasma membrane and the nucleus. It is composed of the
cytosol (the fluid portion) and organelles. Organelles (B) are the specialized
structures within the cytoplasm, cytosol (C) is the fluid part, and
nucleoplasm (D) is the material within the nucleus.
5. A major function of the plasma membrane is to:
A. Produce energy for the cell
B. Control what enters and leaves the cell
C. Synthesize proteins
D. Store genetic information
, Rationale: The correct answer is B. The plasma membrane is a selectively
permeable barrier that regulates the passage of substances into and out of
the cell, maintaining the cell's internal environment. Energy production (A)
is primarily a function of mitochondria, protein synthesis (C) involves
ribosomes, and genetic storage (D) is the function of the nucleus.
6. Which of the following is an example of a tissue?
A. The heart
B. A muscle cell
C. Nervous tissue
D. The digestive system
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A tissue is a group of similar cells that
perform a common function. Nervous tissue is one of the four primary
tissue types. The heart (A) is an organ, a muscle cell (B) is a single cell, and
the digestive system (D) is an organ system.
7. The dorsal body cavity contains which of the following structures?
A. Heart and lungs
B. Brain and spinal cord
C. Stomach and liver
D. Kidneys and bladder
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The dorsal (posterior) body cavity is
subdivided into the cranial cavity (housing the brain) and the vertebral
(spinal) cavity (housing the spinal cord). The heart and lungs (A) are in the
thoracic cavity, the stomach and liver (C) are in the abdominopelvic cavity,
and the kidneys and bladder (D) are also in the abdominopelvic cavity.
8. The heart is located in which body cavity?
A. Cranial
B. Thoracic
C. Abdominal
D. Pelvic
, Rationale: The correct answer is B. The thoracic cavity is the chest cavity,
which contains the heart and lungs. The cranial cavity (A) contains the brain,
the abdominal cavity (C) contains organs like the stomach and liver, and the
pelvic cavity (D) contains the urinary bladder and reproductive organs.
9. The pH scale measures the concentration of which ions in a
solution?
A. Sodium (Na⁺)
B. Potassium (K⁺)
C. Hydrogen (H⁺)
D. Chloride (Cl⁻)
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The pH scale is a measure of the
hydrogen ion (H⁺) concentration in a solution. A lower pH indicates a higher
H⁺ concentration (more acidic), while a higher pH indicates a lower H⁺
concentration (more basic or alkaline).
10. In the anatomical position, the palms of the hands face:
A. Forward (anteriorly)
B. Backward (posteriorly)
C. Medially (toward the body)
D. Laterally (away from the body)
Rationale: The correct answer is A. In the standard anatomical position, the
body is standing erect, facing forward, with the arms at the sides and the
palms of the hands facing forward (anteriorly).
11. A cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions is
called a:
A. Sagittal section
B. Frontal section
C. Transverse section
D. Coronal section
Structure & Function of the Body,
16th Edition (Patton & Thibodeau) –
Chapters 1–22
1. The word derived from two word parts that mean "cutting apart" is:
A. Physiology
B. Homeostasis
C. Anatomy
D. Histology
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The term "anatomy" comes from the
Greek words "ana" (up or apart) and "tome" (a cutting), literally meaning "a
cutting up". This reflects the historical method of studying the body's
structure through dissection. Physiology (A) is the study of function,
homeostasis (B) is the maintenance of a stable internal environment, and
histology (D) is the study of tissues.
2. The study of how the body functions is called:
A. Anatomy
B. Physiology
C. Cytology
D. Embryology
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Physiology is the scientific discipline
that investigates the processes and functions of living organisms and their
parts. Anatomy (A) is the study of structure, cytology (C) is the study of
cells, and embryology (D) is the study of development before birth.
, 3. The correct sequence of the levels of organization in the human
body, from simplest to most complex, is:
A. Cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organism
B. Tissues, cells, organs, organ systems, organism
C. Cells, organs, tissues, organ systems, organism
D. Organ systems, organs, tissues, cells, organism
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The structural organization of the body
follows a specific hierarchy: chemical level → cellular level → tissue level →
organ level → organ system level → organism level. Cells are the basic units
of life, which combine to form tissues, which in turn form organs, then
organ systems, and finally the complete organism.
4. The internal living material of the cell, excluding the nucleus, is
called the:
A. Cytoplasm
B. Organelles
C. Cytosol
D. Nucleoplasm
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Cytoplasm is the general term for the
internal living material of the cell, which includes all the cellular contents
between the plasma membrane and the nucleus. It is composed of the
cytosol (the fluid portion) and organelles. Organelles (B) are the specialized
structures within the cytoplasm, cytosol (C) is the fluid part, and
nucleoplasm (D) is the material within the nucleus.
5. A major function of the plasma membrane is to:
A. Produce energy for the cell
B. Control what enters and leaves the cell
C. Synthesize proteins
D. Store genetic information
, Rationale: The correct answer is B. The plasma membrane is a selectively
permeable barrier that regulates the passage of substances into and out of
the cell, maintaining the cell's internal environment. Energy production (A)
is primarily a function of mitochondria, protein synthesis (C) involves
ribosomes, and genetic storage (D) is the function of the nucleus.
6. Which of the following is an example of a tissue?
A. The heart
B. A muscle cell
C. Nervous tissue
D. The digestive system
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A tissue is a group of similar cells that
perform a common function. Nervous tissue is one of the four primary
tissue types. The heart (A) is an organ, a muscle cell (B) is a single cell, and
the digestive system (D) is an organ system.
7. The dorsal body cavity contains which of the following structures?
A. Heart and lungs
B. Brain and spinal cord
C. Stomach and liver
D. Kidneys and bladder
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The dorsal (posterior) body cavity is
subdivided into the cranial cavity (housing the brain) and the vertebral
(spinal) cavity (housing the spinal cord). The heart and lungs (A) are in the
thoracic cavity, the stomach and liver (C) are in the abdominopelvic cavity,
and the kidneys and bladder (D) are also in the abdominopelvic cavity.
8. The heart is located in which body cavity?
A. Cranial
B. Thoracic
C. Abdominal
D. Pelvic
, Rationale: The correct answer is B. The thoracic cavity is the chest cavity,
which contains the heart and lungs. The cranial cavity (A) contains the brain,
the abdominal cavity (C) contains organs like the stomach and liver, and the
pelvic cavity (D) contains the urinary bladder and reproductive organs.
9. The pH scale measures the concentration of which ions in a
solution?
A. Sodium (Na⁺)
B. Potassium (K⁺)
C. Hydrogen (H⁺)
D. Chloride (Cl⁻)
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The pH scale is a measure of the
hydrogen ion (H⁺) concentration in a solution. A lower pH indicates a higher
H⁺ concentration (more acidic), while a higher pH indicates a lower H⁺
concentration (more basic or alkaline).
10. In the anatomical position, the palms of the hands face:
A. Forward (anteriorly)
B. Backward (posteriorly)
C. Medially (toward the body)
D. Laterally (away from the body)
Rationale: The correct answer is A. In the standard anatomical position, the
body is standing erect, facing forward, with the arms at the sides and the
palms of the hands facing forward (anteriorly).
11. A cut that divides the body into superior and inferior portions is
called a:
A. Sagittal section
B. Frontal section
C. Transverse section
D. Coronal section
