BIOL122 HUMAN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2
WORKSHOPS 1–10 COMPLETE COURSE
REVIEW | 50 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |
2026/2027 UPDATED | AUSTRALIAN
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
COURSE REVIEW INTRODUCTION
BIOL122 Human Biological Science 2 builds on foundational human biology by
examining how multiple organ systems function, communicate, and maintain internal
stability. Across Workshops 1–10, students are expected to move beyond memorising
anatomical structures and demonstrate an understanding of physiological mechanisms,
regulation, integration, and clinical application. This practice bank is designed as a
comprehensive revision resource for students preparing for BIOL122 assessments,
examinations, workshop activities, and cumulative course review.
The 50 questions below use application-based scenarios rather than simple recall
wherever possible. They require students to interpret physiological changes, identify
mechanisms, connect structure with function, and predict consequences when normal
regulation is disrupted. Particular emphasis is placed on homeostasis, nervous and
endocrine regulation, cardiovascular and respiratory physiology, renal function,
digestion, reproduction, immunity, and system integration.
Use the questions first without looking at the answers. Then examine each rationale
carefully, especially where several alternatives appear plausible. Understanding why
an answer is correct—and why the alternatives are incorrect—is more valuable than
memorising answer letters.
CORE DOMAINS REVIEWED
1.
Homeostasis and physiological regulation – feedback mechanisms, receptors,
control centres, effectors, and system integration.
2.
3.
Nervous system – neuronal communication, synapses, autonomic regulation,
and sensory-motor responses.
1
, 4.
5.
Endocrine system – hormones, receptors, feedback loops, and endocrine
control.
6.
7.
Cardiovascular system – cardiac function, blood pressure, circulation, and
tissue perfusion.
8.
9.
Respiratory system – ventilation, gas exchange, oxygen transport, and carbon
dioxide regulation.
10.
11.
Renal system – filtration, reabsorption, secretion, urine formation, and
fluid/electrolyte regulation.
12.
13.
Digestive system – digestion, absorption, gastrointestinal regulation, and
nutrient processing.
14.
15.
Immune and lymphatic systems – innate and adaptive immunity,
inflammation, and immune responses.
16.
17.
Reproductive physiology – reproductive hormones, gametogenesis,
menstrual/ovarian cycling, and fertilisation.
18.
19.
Integrated human physiology – interactions among organ systems during
changing physiological conditions.
20.
2
, QUESTIONS 1–50
Q1
A patient suddenly loses a significant amount of blood following trauma. Which
physiological response would most directly help restore arterial blood pressure during
the first few minutes?
A) Increased renal sodium excretion
B) Decreased sympathetic nervous system activity
C) Increased sympathetic stimulation of the heart and blood vessels
D) Increased atrial natriuretic peptide secretion
Rationale: Increased sympathetic activity rapidly increases heart rate and myocardial
contractility while causing vasoconstriction in many vascular beds, helping maintain
arterial pressure after blood loss. Decreased sympathetic activity would worsen
hypotension. Increased renal sodium excretion would reduce extracellular fluid
volume rather than immediately restore pressure. Atrial natriuretic peptide promotes
sodium and water loss and is therefore not the appropriate response to acute
haemorrhage.
Q2
A person becomes dehydrated after prolonged exercise in a hot environment. Which
combination would be most appropriate for maintaining homeostasis?
A) Reduced ADH secretion and increased urine production
B) Increased ADH secretion and increased renal water reabsorption
C) Increased ANP secretion and decreased thirst
D) Reduced hypothalamic activity and increased water loss
Rationale: Dehydration increases plasma osmolality and generally decreases
circulating volume. Hypothalamic osmoreceptors promote thirst and stimulate ADH
release. ADH increases water permeability in the collecting ducts, allowing more
water to be reabsorbed and reducing urine volume. The other options would increase
rather than conserve body water.
Q3
A neuron is exposed to a drug that prevents voltage-gated sodium channels from
opening during an action potential. What is the most likely consequence?
A) Increased neurotransmitter synthesis
B) Prolonged resting membrane potential depolarisation
C) Failure of normal action-potential propagation
D) Increased calcium entry into the axon terminal
3
WORKSHOPS 1–10 COMPLETE COURSE
REVIEW | 50 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |
2026/2027 UPDATED | AUSTRALIAN
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
COURSE REVIEW INTRODUCTION
BIOL122 Human Biological Science 2 builds on foundational human biology by
examining how multiple organ systems function, communicate, and maintain internal
stability. Across Workshops 1–10, students are expected to move beyond memorising
anatomical structures and demonstrate an understanding of physiological mechanisms,
regulation, integration, and clinical application. This practice bank is designed as a
comprehensive revision resource for students preparing for BIOL122 assessments,
examinations, workshop activities, and cumulative course review.
The 50 questions below use application-based scenarios rather than simple recall
wherever possible. They require students to interpret physiological changes, identify
mechanisms, connect structure with function, and predict consequences when normal
regulation is disrupted. Particular emphasis is placed on homeostasis, nervous and
endocrine regulation, cardiovascular and respiratory physiology, renal function,
digestion, reproduction, immunity, and system integration.
Use the questions first without looking at the answers. Then examine each rationale
carefully, especially where several alternatives appear plausible. Understanding why
an answer is correct—and why the alternatives are incorrect—is more valuable than
memorising answer letters.
CORE DOMAINS REVIEWED
1.
Homeostasis and physiological regulation – feedback mechanisms, receptors,
control centres, effectors, and system integration.
2.
3.
Nervous system – neuronal communication, synapses, autonomic regulation,
and sensory-motor responses.
1
, 4.
5.
Endocrine system – hormones, receptors, feedback loops, and endocrine
control.
6.
7.
Cardiovascular system – cardiac function, blood pressure, circulation, and
tissue perfusion.
8.
9.
Respiratory system – ventilation, gas exchange, oxygen transport, and carbon
dioxide regulation.
10.
11.
Renal system – filtration, reabsorption, secretion, urine formation, and
fluid/electrolyte regulation.
12.
13.
Digestive system – digestion, absorption, gastrointestinal regulation, and
nutrient processing.
14.
15.
Immune and lymphatic systems – innate and adaptive immunity,
inflammation, and immune responses.
16.
17.
Reproductive physiology – reproductive hormones, gametogenesis,
menstrual/ovarian cycling, and fertilisation.
18.
19.
Integrated human physiology – interactions among organ systems during
changing physiological conditions.
20.
2
, QUESTIONS 1–50
Q1
A patient suddenly loses a significant amount of blood following trauma. Which
physiological response would most directly help restore arterial blood pressure during
the first few minutes?
A) Increased renal sodium excretion
B) Decreased sympathetic nervous system activity
C) Increased sympathetic stimulation of the heart and blood vessels
D) Increased atrial natriuretic peptide secretion
Rationale: Increased sympathetic activity rapidly increases heart rate and myocardial
contractility while causing vasoconstriction in many vascular beds, helping maintain
arterial pressure after blood loss. Decreased sympathetic activity would worsen
hypotension. Increased renal sodium excretion would reduce extracellular fluid
volume rather than immediately restore pressure. Atrial natriuretic peptide promotes
sodium and water loss and is therefore not the appropriate response to acute
haemorrhage.
Q2
A person becomes dehydrated after prolonged exercise in a hot environment. Which
combination would be most appropriate for maintaining homeostasis?
A) Reduced ADH secretion and increased urine production
B) Increased ADH secretion and increased renal water reabsorption
C) Increased ANP secretion and decreased thirst
D) Reduced hypothalamic activity and increased water loss
Rationale: Dehydration increases plasma osmolality and generally decreases
circulating volume. Hypothalamic osmoreceptors promote thirst and stimulate ADH
release. ADH increases water permeability in the collecting ducts, allowing more
water to be reabsorbed and reducing urine volume. The other options would increase
rather than conserve body water.
Q3
A neuron is exposed to a drug that prevents voltage-gated sodium channels from
opening during an action potential. What is the most likely consequence?
A) Increased neurotransmitter synthesis
B) Prolonged resting membrane potential depolarisation
C) Failure of normal action-potential propagation
D) Increased calcium entry into the axon terminal
3
