HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology 2025 Practice
Exam
Instructions
This practice exam contains 80 multiple-choice questions designed to prepare you for the
HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology section. Each question includes four answer choices,
with the correct answer clearly marked. A brief explanation follows each question to
enhance understanding. Topics cover organ systems, homeostasis, cells, and key termi-
nology. Good luck!
Questions
Question 1: Which organelle is primarily responsible for producing ATP through cellular respi-
ration?
A Nucleus
B Mitochondrion
C Ribosome
D Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: B. Mitochondrion
Explanation: The mitochondrion is known as the ”powerhouse” of the cell, gener-
ating ATP via cellular respiration, specifically through the processes of the Krebs
cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
Question 2: What is the primary mechanism the body uses to maintain a stable internal tem-
perature?
A Shivering
B Sweating
C Negative feedback
D Positive feedback
Correct Answer: C. Negative feedback
Explanation: Negative feedback loops counteract changes in the body, such as tem-
perature fluctuations, by triggering responses like sweating or shivering to restore
homeostasis.
1
,Question 3: Which muscle type is involuntary, non-striated, and found in the walls of internal
organs?
A Skeletal muscle
B Cardiac muscle
C Smooth muscle
D Striated muscle
Correct Answer: C. Smooth muscle
Explanation: Smooth muscle is involuntary and lacks striations, making it ideal for
functions in organs like the stomach and blood vessels.
Question 4: Which bone forms the upper part of the jaw and the central portion of the facial
skeleton?
A Mandible
B Maxilla
C Zygomatic
D Frontal
Correct Answer: B. Maxilla
Explanation: The maxilla is a paired bone that forms the upper jaw, supports the
upper teeth, and contributes to the structure of the nasal cavity.
Question 5: What is the primary function of the myelin sheath in the nervous system?
A Transmit nerve impulses
B Protect the neuron
C Speed up nerve impulse conduction
D Produce neurotransmitters
Correct Answer: C. Speed up nerve impulse conduction
Explanation: The myelin sheath, produced by Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes,
insulates axons, allowing faster transmission of electrical impulses via saltatory
conduction.
Question 6: Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
A Pulmonary artery
B Pulmonary vein
C Aorta
D Vena cava
Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary vein
Explanation: The pulmonary vein is unique because it carries oxygenated blood
from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart, unlike most veins which carry de-
oxygenated blood.
2
, Question 7: During inhalation, which muscle contracts to increase the volume of the thoracic
cavity?
A Diaphragm
B Intercostal muscles
C Pectoralis major
D Both A and B
Correct Answer: D. Both A and B
Explanation: The diaphragm and intercostal muscles work together during inhala-
tion, expanding the thoracic cavity to lower pressure and draw air into the lungs.
Question 8: Where does the majority of nutrient absorption occur in the digestive tract?
A Stomach
B Small intestine
C Large intestine
D Esophagus
Correct Answer: B. Small intestine
Explanation: The small intestine, with its large surface area due to villi and mi-
crovilli, is the primary site for nutrient absorption into the bloodstream.
Question 9: Which gland regulates metabolism and is located in the neck?
A Pituitary
B Adrenal
C Thyroid
D Pancreas
Correct Answer: C. Thyroid
Explanation: The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces hormones like thy-
roxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) that regulate metabolism, growth, and de-
velopment.
Question 10: What is the functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood?
A Nephron
B Glomerulus
C Ureter
D Bladder
Correct Answer: A. Nephron
Explanation: The nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney,
filtering blood to form urine and regulate water and electrolyte balance.
Question 11: Which type of cell junction allows direct communication between adjacent cells?
3
Exam
Instructions
This practice exam contains 80 multiple-choice questions designed to prepare you for the
HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology section. Each question includes four answer choices,
with the correct answer clearly marked. A brief explanation follows each question to
enhance understanding. Topics cover organ systems, homeostasis, cells, and key termi-
nology. Good luck!
Questions
Question 1: Which organelle is primarily responsible for producing ATP through cellular respi-
ration?
A Nucleus
B Mitochondrion
C Ribosome
D Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: B. Mitochondrion
Explanation: The mitochondrion is known as the ”powerhouse” of the cell, gener-
ating ATP via cellular respiration, specifically through the processes of the Krebs
cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
Question 2: What is the primary mechanism the body uses to maintain a stable internal tem-
perature?
A Shivering
B Sweating
C Negative feedback
D Positive feedback
Correct Answer: C. Negative feedback
Explanation: Negative feedback loops counteract changes in the body, such as tem-
perature fluctuations, by triggering responses like sweating or shivering to restore
homeostasis.
1
,Question 3: Which muscle type is involuntary, non-striated, and found in the walls of internal
organs?
A Skeletal muscle
B Cardiac muscle
C Smooth muscle
D Striated muscle
Correct Answer: C. Smooth muscle
Explanation: Smooth muscle is involuntary and lacks striations, making it ideal for
functions in organs like the stomach and blood vessels.
Question 4: Which bone forms the upper part of the jaw and the central portion of the facial
skeleton?
A Mandible
B Maxilla
C Zygomatic
D Frontal
Correct Answer: B. Maxilla
Explanation: The maxilla is a paired bone that forms the upper jaw, supports the
upper teeth, and contributes to the structure of the nasal cavity.
Question 5: What is the primary function of the myelin sheath in the nervous system?
A Transmit nerve impulses
B Protect the neuron
C Speed up nerve impulse conduction
D Produce neurotransmitters
Correct Answer: C. Speed up nerve impulse conduction
Explanation: The myelin sheath, produced by Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes,
insulates axons, allowing faster transmission of electrical impulses via saltatory
conduction.
Question 6: Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
A Pulmonary artery
B Pulmonary vein
C Aorta
D Vena cava
Correct Answer: B. Pulmonary vein
Explanation: The pulmonary vein is unique because it carries oxygenated blood
from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart, unlike most veins which carry de-
oxygenated blood.
2
, Question 7: During inhalation, which muscle contracts to increase the volume of the thoracic
cavity?
A Diaphragm
B Intercostal muscles
C Pectoralis major
D Both A and B
Correct Answer: D. Both A and B
Explanation: The diaphragm and intercostal muscles work together during inhala-
tion, expanding the thoracic cavity to lower pressure and draw air into the lungs.
Question 8: Where does the majority of nutrient absorption occur in the digestive tract?
A Stomach
B Small intestine
C Large intestine
D Esophagus
Correct Answer: B. Small intestine
Explanation: The small intestine, with its large surface area due to villi and mi-
crovilli, is the primary site for nutrient absorption into the bloodstream.
Question 9: Which gland regulates metabolism and is located in the neck?
A Pituitary
B Adrenal
C Thyroid
D Pancreas
Correct Answer: C. Thyroid
Explanation: The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces hormones like thy-
roxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) that regulate metabolism, growth, and de-
velopment.
Question 10: What is the functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering blood?
A Nephron
B Glomerulus
C Ureter
D Bladder
Correct Answer: A. Nephron
Explanation: The nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney,
filtering blood to form urine and regulate water and electrolyte balance.
Question 11: Which type of cell junction allows direct communication between adjacent cells?
3
