Strayer University SCI 221 Anatomy and Physiology II Final Exam
(pdf) | 2026/2027 | A&P II Q&A | Anatomy
1. Which organ system is primarily responsible for the long-lasting regulation
of bodily functions via chemical messengers?
A) Nervous system
B) Endocrine system
C) Cardiovascular system
D) Lymphatic system
Correct Answer: Endocrine system
Rationale: The endocrine system uses hormones as chemical messengers to
regulate long-lasting, slow responses such as growth, metabolism, and
reproduction. The nervous system provides rapid, short-duration responses.
The cardiovascular system transports substances, and the lymphatic system
is involved in immunity and fluid balance.
2. A chemical messenger that is secreted by a cell and acts on nearby target
cells is classified as a:
A) Hormone
B) Neurotransmitter
C) Paracrine signal
D) Autocrine signal
Correct Answer: Paracrine signal
Rationale: Paracrine signals act on nearby cells. Autocrine signals act on the
same cell that secreted them. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to
distant target cells, and neurotransmitters act across synapses.
,3. Steroid hormones exert their effects primarily by:
A) Binding to membrane receptors and activating second messengers
B) Diffusing through the cell membrane and binding to intracellular receptors
C) Opening ion channels in the cell membrane
D) Inhibiting protein synthesis at the ribosome
Correct Answer: Diffusing through the cell membrane and binding to
intracellular receptors
Rationale: Because steroid hormones are lipid-soluble, they diffuse through
the cell membrane and bind to receptors inside the cell, typically in the
nucleus or cytoplasm. This complex then alters gene transcription. Peptide
hormones bind to membrane receptors.
4. The hypothalamus is connected to the anterior pituitary gland via the:
A) Hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract
B) Hypophyseal portal system
C) Infundibulum
D) Neural pathway
Correct Answer: Hypophyseal portal system
Rationale: The hypophyseal portal system is a network of blood vessels that
transports releasing and inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus to the
anterior pituitary. The hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract connects the
hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary for transport of ADH and oxytocin.
5. Which of the following hormones is secreted by the posterior pituitary
gland?
,A) Growth hormone
B) Prolactin
C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases ADH and oxytocin,
which are synthesized in the hypothalamus. Growth hormone, prolactin, and
TSH are secreted by the anterior pituitary.
6. The parathyroid glands are primarily responsible for:
A) Decreasing blood calcium levels
B) Increasing blood calcium levels
C) Regulating blood glucose levels
D) Regulating metabolic rate
Correct Answer: Increasing blood calcium levels
Rationale: The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which
increases blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity, increasing
calcium absorption in the intestine, and promoting calcium reabsorption in
the kidneys. Calcitonin from the thyroid decreases blood calcium.
7. A patient with a deficiency of thyroid hormone is likely to exhibit which
symptom?
A) Weight loss
B) Heat intolerance
C) Bradycardia
, D) Tachycardia
Correct Answer: Bradycardia
Rationale: Hypothyroidism decreases metabolic rate, leading to bradycardia,
weight gain, cold intolerance, and fatigue. Weight loss, heat intolerance, and
tachycardia are symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
8. Which of the following hormones is secreted by the adrenal medulla?
A) Cortisol
B) Aldosterone
C) Epinephrine
D) Androgens
Correct Answer: Epinephrine
Rationale: The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines—epinephrine and
norepinephrine—in response to sympathetic stimulation. Cortisol,
aldosterone, and androgens are secreted by the adrenal cortex.
9. Which of the following is a function of the pineal gland?
A) Regulation of circadian rhythms
B) Regulation of growth
C) Regulation of metabolism
D) Regulation of blood pressure
Correct Answer: Regulation of circadian rhythms
(pdf) | 2026/2027 | A&P II Q&A | Anatomy
1. Which organ system is primarily responsible for the long-lasting regulation
of bodily functions via chemical messengers?
A) Nervous system
B) Endocrine system
C) Cardiovascular system
D) Lymphatic system
Correct Answer: Endocrine system
Rationale: The endocrine system uses hormones as chemical messengers to
regulate long-lasting, slow responses such as growth, metabolism, and
reproduction. The nervous system provides rapid, short-duration responses.
The cardiovascular system transports substances, and the lymphatic system
is involved in immunity and fluid balance.
2. A chemical messenger that is secreted by a cell and acts on nearby target
cells is classified as a:
A) Hormone
B) Neurotransmitter
C) Paracrine signal
D) Autocrine signal
Correct Answer: Paracrine signal
Rationale: Paracrine signals act on nearby cells. Autocrine signals act on the
same cell that secreted them. Hormones travel through the bloodstream to
distant target cells, and neurotransmitters act across synapses.
,3. Steroid hormones exert their effects primarily by:
A) Binding to membrane receptors and activating second messengers
B) Diffusing through the cell membrane and binding to intracellular receptors
C) Opening ion channels in the cell membrane
D) Inhibiting protein synthesis at the ribosome
Correct Answer: Diffusing through the cell membrane and binding to
intracellular receptors
Rationale: Because steroid hormones are lipid-soluble, they diffuse through
the cell membrane and bind to receptors inside the cell, typically in the
nucleus or cytoplasm. This complex then alters gene transcription. Peptide
hormones bind to membrane receptors.
4. The hypothalamus is connected to the anterior pituitary gland via the:
A) Hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract
B) Hypophyseal portal system
C) Infundibulum
D) Neural pathway
Correct Answer: Hypophyseal portal system
Rationale: The hypophyseal portal system is a network of blood vessels that
transports releasing and inhibiting hormones from the hypothalamus to the
anterior pituitary. The hypothalamic-hypophyseal tract connects the
hypothalamus to the posterior pituitary for transport of ADH and oxytocin.
5. Which of the following hormones is secreted by the posterior pituitary
gland?
,A) Growth hormone
B) Prolactin
C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
D) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Correct Answer: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores and releases ADH and oxytocin,
which are synthesized in the hypothalamus. Growth hormone, prolactin, and
TSH are secreted by the anterior pituitary.
6. The parathyroid glands are primarily responsible for:
A) Decreasing blood calcium levels
B) Increasing blood calcium levels
C) Regulating blood glucose levels
D) Regulating metabolic rate
Correct Answer: Increasing blood calcium levels
Rationale: The parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH), which
increases blood calcium levels by stimulating osteoclast activity, increasing
calcium absorption in the intestine, and promoting calcium reabsorption in
the kidneys. Calcitonin from the thyroid decreases blood calcium.
7. A patient with a deficiency of thyroid hormone is likely to exhibit which
symptom?
A) Weight loss
B) Heat intolerance
C) Bradycardia
, D) Tachycardia
Correct Answer: Bradycardia
Rationale: Hypothyroidism decreases metabolic rate, leading to bradycardia,
weight gain, cold intolerance, and fatigue. Weight loss, heat intolerance, and
tachycardia are symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
8. Which of the following hormones is secreted by the adrenal medulla?
A) Cortisol
B) Aldosterone
C) Epinephrine
D) Androgens
Correct Answer: Epinephrine
Rationale: The adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines—epinephrine and
norepinephrine—in response to sympathetic stimulation. Cortisol,
aldosterone, and androgens are secreted by the adrenal cortex.
9. Which of the following is a function of the pineal gland?
A) Regulation of circadian rhythms
B) Regulation of growth
C) Regulation of metabolism
D) Regulation of blood pressure
Correct Answer: Regulation of circadian rhythms
