PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY 16TH EDITION TEST
BANK – TORTORA ALL CHAPTERS 1–
29, PRACTICE QUESTIONS, KEY
CONCEPTS & EXAM REVIEW
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 16th Edition
(Tortora & Derrickson) – Practice Exam with Rationales
Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Human Body
1. This is the study of the functions of body structures.
A. Anatomy
B. Physiology
C. Dissection
D. Histology
E. Immunology
Rationale: Physiology is defined as the study of the functions of body structures.
Anatomy is the study of body structure, while histology is the microscopic study of
tissues .
2. A group of cells that work together to perform a particular function is a(n):
A. Tissue
B. Organ
C. Molecules
D. Compounds
E. Organism
,Rationale: The tissue level consists of groups of similar cells that work together to
perform a specific function. Organs are composed of two or more tissue types .
3. What process occurs when amino acids build new proteins? (Select all that
apply)
A. Metabolism
B. Anabolism
C. Catabolism
D. Responsiveness
E. Differentiation
Rationale: Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions in the body, and anabolism
is the building-up phase where amino acids are assembled into proteins. Catabolism is
the breakdown phase .
4. How are reproduction, differentiation, and growth related?
Answer: Reproduction occurs through the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm cell to
form a zygote, followed by repeated cell divisions and the differentiation of these cells.
Growth is an increase in body size that results from an increase in the size of existing
cells, an increase in the number of cells, or both .
5. The two organ systems that predominantly regulate and maintain homeostasis
are the:
A. Cardiovascular and integumentary systems
B. Nervous and endocrine systems
C. Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
D. Respiratory and muscular systems
E. Urinary and integumentary systems
Rationale: The nervous system and endocrine system are the primary regulators of
homeostasis. The nervous system sends electrical signals rapidly, while the endocrine
system releases hormones for longer-lasting effects .
6. Which body fluid fills the narrow spaces between cells and tissues?
A. Lymph
B. Blood plasma
C. Interstitial fluid
D. Vitreous body
,Rationale: Interstitial fluid fills the narrow spaces between cells and tissues, serving as
the medium for exchange of nutrients and wastes between blood and cells .
7. Describe the differences between positive and negative feedback systems.
Answer: A positive feedback system will strengthen or reinforce a change in one of the
body's controlled conditions, while a negative feedback system will reverse a change in
a controlled condition .
8. Hormonal or electrical signals are sent from the control center to the:
A. Receptors
B. Stimulus
C. Afferent pathway
D. Effectors
E. Efferent pathway
Rationale: The control center sends signals via the efferent pathway to effectors, which
bring about the response that changes the controlled condition .
9. A component that detects decreasing oxygen concentrations in blood would be
the:
A. Receptor
B. Muscle
C. Response
D. Effector
Rationale: Receptors monitor changes in a controlled condition and send input signals
to a control center. In this case, receptors detect the blood oxygen changes .
10. If blood concentrations of thyroid hormones increase above a certain level,
TRH neurons in the hypothalamus are inhibited and stop secreting TRH. This is an
example of:
A. Negative feedback
B. Positive feedback
Rationale: Negative feedback reverses a change from the set point. When thyroid
hormone levels rise, the inhibition of TRH secretion works to reduce thyroid hormone
production back to normal .
, 11. Cardiomyopathy worsens as the heart weakens. Swelling in the legs occurs and
is classified as a (select all that apply):
A. Symptom
B. Disorder
C. Disturbance
D. Disease
E. Sign
Rationale: Swelling is a sign (objective, observable) and represents a
disorder/disturbance. A symptom is subjective (what the patient feels) .
12. Describe the anatomical position.
Answer: In the anatomical position, the subject stands erect facing the observer with
the head level and eyes facing forward. The feet are flat on the floor and directed
forward, and the arms are at the sides with the palms turned forward .
13. In anatomical position, the body is:
A. Prone, face down, with palms facing up
B. Seated, arms extended, palms facing down
C. Upright, arms at the sides, palms facing forward
D. Prostrate, face up, palms facing down
Rationale: The standard anatomical position is standing erect, facing forward, arms at
sides, and palms facing forward .
14. A frontal section would divide the body into:
A. Superior and inferior portions
B. Equal right and left portions
C. Anterior and posterior portions
D. Right and left portions
Rationale: A frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior
(back) portions. A sagittal plane divides into left/right; a transverse plane divides into
superior/inferior .
15. Which of the following is found in the pelvic cavity?
A. Aorta
B. Urinary bladder
PHYSIOLOGY 16TH EDITION TEST
BANK – TORTORA ALL CHAPTERS 1–
29, PRACTICE QUESTIONS, KEY
CONCEPTS & EXAM REVIEW
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 16th Edition
(Tortora & Derrickson) – Practice Exam with Rationales
Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Human Body
1. This is the study of the functions of body structures.
A. Anatomy
B. Physiology
C. Dissection
D. Histology
E. Immunology
Rationale: Physiology is defined as the study of the functions of body structures.
Anatomy is the study of body structure, while histology is the microscopic study of
tissues .
2. A group of cells that work together to perform a particular function is a(n):
A. Tissue
B. Organ
C. Molecules
D. Compounds
E. Organism
,Rationale: The tissue level consists of groups of similar cells that work together to
perform a specific function. Organs are composed of two or more tissue types .
3. What process occurs when amino acids build new proteins? (Select all that
apply)
A. Metabolism
B. Anabolism
C. Catabolism
D. Responsiveness
E. Differentiation
Rationale: Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions in the body, and anabolism
is the building-up phase where amino acids are assembled into proteins. Catabolism is
the breakdown phase .
4. How are reproduction, differentiation, and growth related?
Answer: Reproduction occurs through the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm cell to
form a zygote, followed by repeated cell divisions and the differentiation of these cells.
Growth is an increase in body size that results from an increase in the size of existing
cells, an increase in the number of cells, or both .
5. The two organ systems that predominantly regulate and maintain homeostasis
are the:
A. Cardiovascular and integumentary systems
B. Nervous and endocrine systems
C. Cardiovascular and respiratory systems
D. Respiratory and muscular systems
E. Urinary and integumentary systems
Rationale: The nervous system and endocrine system are the primary regulators of
homeostasis. The nervous system sends electrical signals rapidly, while the endocrine
system releases hormones for longer-lasting effects .
6. Which body fluid fills the narrow spaces between cells and tissues?
A. Lymph
B. Blood plasma
C. Interstitial fluid
D. Vitreous body
,Rationale: Interstitial fluid fills the narrow spaces between cells and tissues, serving as
the medium for exchange of nutrients and wastes between blood and cells .
7. Describe the differences between positive and negative feedback systems.
Answer: A positive feedback system will strengthen or reinforce a change in one of the
body's controlled conditions, while a negative feedback system will reverse a change in
a controlled condition .
8. Hormonal or electrical signals are sent from the control center to the:
A. Receptors
B. Stimulus
C. Afferent pathway
D. Effectors
E. Efferent pathway
Rationale: The control center sends signals via the efferent pathway to effectors, which
bring about the response that changes the controlled condition .
9. A component that detects decreasing oxygen concentrations in blood would be
the:
A. Receptor
B. Muscle
C. Response
D. Effector
Rationale: Receptors monitor changes in a controlled condition and send input signals
to a control center. In this case, receptors detect the blood oxygen changes .
10. If blood concentrations of thyroid hormones increase above a certain level,
TRH neurons in the hypothalamus are inhibited and stop secreting TRH. This is an
example of:
A. Negative feedback
B. Positive feedback
Rationale: Negative feedback reverses a change from the set point. When thyroid
hormone levels rise, the inhibition of TRH secretion works to reduce thyroid hormone
production back to normal .
, 11. Cardiomyopathy worsens as the heart weakens. Swelling in the legs occurs and
is classified as a (select all that apply):
A. Symptom
B. Disorder
C. Disturbance
D. Disease
E. Sign
Rationale: Swelling is a sign (objective, observable) and represents a
disorder/disturbance. A symptom is subjective (what the patient feels) .
12. Describe the anatomical position.
Answer: In the anatomical position, the subject stands erect facing the observer with
the head level and eyes facing forward. The feet are flat on the floor and directed
forward, and the arms are at the sides with the palms turned forward .
13. In anatomical position, the body is:
A. Prone, face down, with palms facing up
B. Seated, arms extended, palms facing down
C. Upright, arms at the sides, palms facing forward
D. Prostrate, face up, palms facing down
Rationale: The standard anatomical position is standing erect, facing forward, arms at
sides, and palms facing forward .
14. A frontal section would divide the body into:
A. Superior and inferior portions
B. Equal right and left portions
C. Anterior and posterior portions
D. Right and left portions
Rationale: A frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior
(back) portions. A sagittal plane divides into left/right; a transverse plane divides into
superior/inferior .
15. Which of the following is found in the pelvic cavity?
A. Aorta
B. Urinary bladder
