Comprehensive Test Bank for Marieb Human Anatomy &
Physiology, 12th Edition (Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott) – Verified
NCLEX/HESI-Style Questions with Rationales
Chapter/Section: Chapter 1, Section 1.1
An Overview of Anatomy & Physiology
Subtopic: Complementarity of Structure & Function
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: Which statement best exemplifies the principle "form
determines function"?
A. Cardiac muscle cells are long and multinucleated to increase
storage capacity.
B. The thin, flat shape of alveoli increases surface area for gas
exchange.
C. Bones are hollow because they need to perform
photosynthesis.
D. Neurons are circular to prevent signal transmission.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (correct): The thin, highly folded/alveolar structure
increases surface area for efficient gas exchange, illustrating
complementarity of form and function (Marieb Ch.1, section on
complementarity).
Incorrect A: Cardiac muscle cells are striated and usually single-
nucleated; the statement misattributes function and cell
structure.
,Incorrect C: Bones do not photosynthesize; this is biologically
incorrect and confuses plant vs. animal functions.
Incorrect D: Neurons are elongated with processes
(axons/dendrites) to transmit signals; calling them circular
misrepresents their structure.
Teaching Point: Structural specializations enable physiological
roles (e.g., alveoli maximize surface area for respiration).
A&P002
Chapter/Section: Chapter 1 — 1.2 Body organization: atoms →
organism
Page/Figure: (verify in Marieb Ch.1)
Subtopic: Levels of Structural Organization
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: Which sequence correctly shows increasing levels of
structural organization?
A. Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ system → Organism
B. Tissue → Cell → Organ → Organ system → Organism
C. Organ → Tissue → Cell → Organ system → Organism
D. Organism → Organ system → Organ → Tissue → Cell
Correct Answer: A
Rationale (correct): Marieb defines levels from chemical
(atoms, molecules) to cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, then
organism; A matches that hierarchical order (Marieb Ch.1,
Levels of Organization).
,Incorrect B: Reverses cell and tissue — tissues are collections of
similar cells.
Incorrect C: Starts at organ, which is a higher level than
cells/tissues; order is incorrect.
Incorrect D: Presents descending order rather than increasing;
reversed sequence.
Teaching Point: Understand the hierarchical organization:
molecule → cell → tissue → organ → system → organism.
A&P003
Chapter/Section: Chapter 1 — 1.3 Requirements for life /
Necessary life functions
Page/Figure: (verify in Marieb Ch.1)
Subtopic: Maintaining Boundaries
Cognitive Level: Application
Difficulty: Medium
Stem: A burn patient has lost portions of their epidermis. Which
failure most directly threatens the life function "maintaining
boundaries"?
A. Reduced nutrient absorption from intestines
B. Increased risk of fluid loss and infection
C. Inability to oxygenate blood at alveoli
D. Decreased bone mineral density
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (correct): The integument (skin) provides boundaries
to prevent fluid loss and block pathogens; loss of epidermis
, increases dehydration and infection risk (Marieb Ch.1,
Maintaining Boundaries).
Incorrect A: Nutrient absorption is primarily an intestinal
function and not the immediate consequence of epidermal loss.
Incorrect C: Oxygenation issues relate to respiratory surfaces,
not directly to skin loss.
Incorrect D: Bone density is unrelated to epidermal integrity.
Teaching Point: Skin preserves internal environment by
preventing fluid loss and pathogen entry.
A&P004
Chapter/Section: Chapter 1 — 1.3 Necessary life functions:
Movement & Responsiveness
Page/Figure: (verify in Marieb Ch.1)
Subtopic: Movement vs. Responsiveness
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: Which example best distinguishes "movement" from
"responsiveness"?
A. Heart beating vs. lung expansion — both movement only
B. Reflex withdrawal from pain (responsiveness) vs. skeletal
muscle contraction to walk (movement)
C. Digestion vs. absorption — both responsiveness
D. Cell division vs. growth — both responsiveness
Correct Answer: B
Physiology, 12th Edition (Hoehn, Haynes, Abbott) – Verified
NCLEX/HESI-Style Questions with Rationales
Chapter/Section: Chapter 1, Section 1.1
An Overview of Anatomy & Physiology
Subtopic: Complementarity of Structure & Function
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: Which statement best exemplifies the principle "form
determines function"?
A. Cardiac muscle cells are long and multinucleated to increase
storage capacity.
B. The thin, flat shape of alveoli increases surface area for gas
exchange.
C. Bones are hollow because they need to perform
photosynthesis.
D. Neurons are circular to prevent signal transmission.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (correct): The thin, highly folded/alveolar structure
increases surface area for efficient gas exchange, illustrating
complementarity of form and function (Marieb Ch.1, section on
complementarity).
Incorrect A: Cardiac muscle cells are striated and usually single-
nucleated; the statement misattributes function and cell
structure.
,Incorrect C: Bones do not photosynthesize; this is biologically
incorrect and confuses plant vs. animal functions.
Incorrect D: Neurons are elongated with processes
(axons/dendrites) to transmit signals; calling them circular
misrepresents their structure.
Teaching Point: Structural specializations enable physiological
roles (e.g., alveoli maximize surface area for respiration).
A&P002
Chapter/Section: Chapter 1 — 1.2 Body organization: atoms →
organism
Page/Figure: (verify in Marieb Ch.1)
Subtopic: Levels of Structural Organization
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: Which sequence correctly shows increasing levels of
structural organization?
A. Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ system → Organism
B. Tissue → Cell → Organ → Organ system → Organism
C. Organ → Tissue → Cell → Organ system → Organism
D. Organism → Organ system → Organ → Tissue → Cell
Correct Answer: A
Rationale (correct): Marieb defines levels from chemical
(atoms, molecules) to cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, then
organism; A matches that hierarchical order (Marieb Ch.1,
Levels of Organization).
,Incorrect B: Reverses cell and tissue — tissues are collections of
similar cells.
Incorrect C: Starts at organ, which is a higher level than
cells/tissues; order is incorrect.
Incorrect D: Presents descending order rather than increasing;
reversed sequence.
Teaching Point: Understand the hierarchical organization:
molecule → cell → tissue → organ → system → organism.
A&P003
Chapter/Section: Chapter 1 — 1.3 Requirements for life /
Necessary life functions
Page/Figure: (verify in Marieb Ch.1)
Subtopic: Maintaining Boundaries
Cognitive Level: Application
Difficulty: Medium
Stem: A burn patient has lost portions of their epidermis. Which
failure most directly threatens the life function "maintaining
boundaries"?
A. Reduced nutrient absorption from intestines
B. Increased risk of fluid loss and infection
C. Inability to oxygenate blood at alveoli
D. Decreased bone mineral density
Correct Answer: B
Rationale (correct): The integument (skin) provides boundaries
to prevent fluid loss and block pathogens; loss of epidermis
, increases dehydration and infection risk (Marieb Ch.1,
Maintaining Boundaries).
Incorrect A: Nutrient absorption is primarily an intestinal
function and not the immediate consequence of epidermal loss.
Incorrect C: Oxygenation issues relate to respiratory surfaces,
not directly to skin loss.
Incorrect D: Bone density is unrelated to epidermal integrity.
Teaching Point: Skin preserves internal environment by
preventing fluid loss and pathogen entry.
A&P004
Chapter/Section: Chapter 1 — 1.3 Necessary life functions:
Movement & Responsiveness
Page/Figure: (verify in Marieb Ch.1)
Subtopic: Movement vs. Responsiveness
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: Which example best distinguishes "movement" from
"responsiveness"?
A. Heart beating vs. lung expansion — both movement only
B. Reflex withdrawal from pain (responsiveness) vs. skeletal
muscle contraction to walk (movement)
C. Digestion vs. absorption — both responsiveness
D. Cell division vs. growth — both responsiveness
Correct Answer: B
