BSC 2086 | BSC2086 Final Exam: Anatomy and
Physiology II Updated and Latest Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale - Florida State
University
1. A patient presents with extreme dehydration, causing a significant increase in blood
osmolarity. Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing water reabsorption in the
collecting ducts of the kidney to correct this?
A. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
C. Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)
D. Oxytocin
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is secreted by the posterior pituitary when
blood osmolarity rises. It specifically increases the number of aquaporins in the collecting
ducts to enhance water reabsorption. Aldosterone primarily targets sodium reabsorption
rather than direct water permeability. ANP actually promotes water loss to lower blood
pressure. Therefore, ADH is the critical regulator for water balance in this clinical scenario.
2. During a cardiac cycle, which event occurs immediately after the QRS complex on an EKG
and correlates with the first heart sound (S1)?
A. Atrial systole
B. Ventricular filling
C. Isovolumetric contraction
D. Isovolumetric relaxation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization which triggers the
contraction of the ventricles. As ventricular pressure rises above atrial pressure, the AV
valves snap shut, creating the S1 sound. This period where all valves are closed and
pressure builds is called isovolumetric contraction. Atrial systole occurs earlier during the
P wave. Isovolumetric relaxation follows the T wave when the semilunar valves close.
3. A client is diagnosed with a condition that inhibits the production of Type II Alveolar cells.
Which physiological consequence would most likely occur?
A. Increased gas exchange efficiency
B. Alveolar collapse due to high surface tension
,C. Excessive mucus production in the bronchioles
D. Decreased airway resistance
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Type II alveolar cells are responsible for secreting pulmonary surfactant.
Surfactant reduces the surface tension of the fluid lining the alveoli to prevent collapse.
Without adequate surfactant, the work of breathing increases significantly as alveoli resist
expansion. This condition is commonly seen in premature infants as respiratory distress
syndrome. Type I cells, conversely, are responsible for the actual gas exchange surface.
4. In the presence of metabolic acidosis, how will the respiratory system compensate to
maintain blood pH homeostasis?
A. Increase respiratory rate to expel CO2
B. Decrease respiratory rate to retain CO2
C. Decrease tidal volume to increase H+ concentration
D. Increase dead space ventilation
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Metabolic acidosis involves an excess of hydrogen ions or a loss of
bicarbonate in the blood. The body compensates by stimulating central and peripheral
chemoreceptors to increase ventilation. Increasing the respiratory rate helps blow off
carbon dioxide, which shifts the carbonic acid equation to the left. This reduction in CO2
lowers the concentration of carbonic acid and helps raise the pH. This process is a rapid but
temporary fix until the kidneys can excrete the excess acid.
5. Which hormone is secreted by the duodenum in response to the arrival of fatty chyme and
stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder?
A. Gastrin
B. Cholecystokinin (CCK)
C. Secretin
D. Motilin
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cholecystokinin (CCK) is released by enteroendocrine cells in the small
intestine when fats and proteins enter. CCK signals the gallbladder to contract and release
bile into the duodenum. It also stimulates the pancreas to release digestive enzymes and
relaxes the sphincter of Oddi. Secretin primarily stimulates bicarbonate release from the
pancreas to neutralize acid. Gastrin is mainly involved in stimulating stomach acid
secretion.
, 6. What is the primary function of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) in the kidney?
A. To filter glucose from the blood
B. To regulate Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and blood pressure
C. To secrete erythropoietin for red blood cell production
D. To reabsorb amino acids in the loop of Henle
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The JGA consists of the macula densa and granular cells located where the
distal tubule touches the afferent arteriole. It monitors the sodium chloride concentration
of the filtrate and the blood pressure in the arteriole. If pressure drops, the granular cells
release renin to initiate the RAAS pathway. This mechanism ensures that the GFR remains
stable despite systemic fluctuations in blood pressure. It is a vital component of renal
autoregulation and long-term blood pressure control.
7. Which specific cell type is responsible for secreting antibodies during an adaptive immune
response?
A. Cytotoxic T cells
B. Helper T cells
C. Plasma cells
D. Natural Killer cells
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: When a B cell is activated by an antigen and a helper T cell, it undergoes
clonal expansion. Some of these B cells differentiate into plasma cells, which are antibody
factories. These antibodies circulate in the blood and lymph to neutralize pathogens.
Cytotoxic T cells directly kill infected host cells rather than secreting antibodies. Helper T
cells coordinate the response but do not produce the immunoglobulins themselves.
8. A patient has a tumor in the anterior pituitary that causes hypersecretion of ACTH. Which
of the following would be an expected clinical finding?
A. Low levels of cortisol
B. Hyperkalemia
C. High levels of cortisol
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal cortex to
release glucocorticoids, primarily cortisol. Excessive ACTH leads to overstimulation of the
Physiology II Updated and Latest Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationale - Florida State
University
1. A patient presents with extreme dehydration, causing a significant increase in blood
osmolarity. Which hormone is primarily responsible for increasing water reabsorption in the
collecting ducts of the kidney to correct this?
A. Aldosterone
B. Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
C. Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)
D. Oxytocin
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is secreted by the posterior pituitary when
blood osmolarity rises. It specifically increases the number of aquaporins in the collecting
ducts to enhance water reabsorption. Aldosterone primarily targets sodium reabsorption
rather than direct water permeability. ANP actually promotes water loss to lower blood
pressure. Therefore, ADH is the critical regulator for water balance in this clinical scenario.
2. During a cardiac cycle, which event occurs immediately after the QRS complex on an EKG
and correlates with the first heart sound (S1)?
A. Atrial systole
B. Ventricular filling
C. Isovolumetric contraction
D. Isovolumetric relaxation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The QRS complex represents ventricular depolarization which triggers the
contraction of the ventricles. As ventricular pressure rises above atrial pressure, the AV
valves snap shut, creating the S1 sound. This period where all valves are closed and
pressure builds is called isovolumetric contraction. Atrial systole occurs earlier during the
P wave. Isovolumetric relaxation follows the T wave when the semilunar valves close.
3. A client is diagnosed with a condition that inhibits the production of Type II Alveolar cells.
Which physiological consequence would most likely occur?
A. Increased gas exchange efficiency
B. Alveolar collapse due to high surface tension
,C. Excessive mucus production in the bronchioles
D. Decreased airway resistance
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Type II alveolar cells are responsible for secreting pulmonary surfactant.
Surfactant reduces the surface tension of the fluid lining the alveoli to prevent collapse.
Without adequate surfactant, the work of breathing increases significantly as alveoli resist
expansion. This condition is commonly seen in premature infants as respiratory distress
syndrome. Type I cells, conversely, are responsible for the actual gas exchange surface.
4. In the presence of metabolic acidosis, how will the respiratory system compensate to
maintain blood pH homeostasis?
A. Increase respiratory rate to expel CO2
B. Decrease respiratory rate to retain CO2
C. Decrease tidal volume to increase H+ concentration
D. Increase dead space ventilation
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Metabolic acidosis involves an excess of hydrogen ions or a loss of
bicarbonate in the blood. The body compensates by stimulating central and peripheral
chemoreceptors to increase ventilation. Increasing the respiratory rate helps blow off
carbon dioxide, which shifts the carbonic acid equation to the left. This reduction in CO2
lowers the concentration of carbonic acid and helps raise the pH. This process is a rapid but
temporary fix until the kidneys can excrete the excess acid.
5. Which hormone is secreted by the duodenum in response to the arrival of fatty chyme and
stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder?
A. Gastrin
B. Cholecystokinin (CCK)
C. Secretin
D. Motilin
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cholecystokinin (CCK) is released by enteroendocrine cells in the small
intestine when fats and proteins enter. CCK signals the gallbladder to contract and release
bile into the duodenum. It also stimulates the pancreas to release digestive enzymes and
relaxes the sphincter of Oddi. Secretin primarily stimulates bicarbonate release from the
pancreas to neutralize acid. Gastrin is mainly involved in stimulating stomach acid
secretion.
, 6. What is the primary function of the juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA) in the kidney?
A. To filter glucose from the blood
B. To regulate Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and blood pressure
C. To secrete erythropoietin for red blood cell production
D. To reabsorb amino acids in the loop of Henle
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The JGA consists of the macula densa and granular cells located where the
distal tubule touches the afferent arteriole. It monitors the sodium chloride concentration
of the filtrate and the blood pressure in the arteriole. If pressure drops, the granular cells
release renin to initiate the RAAS pathway. This mechanism ensures that the GFR remains
stable despite systemic fluctuations in blood pressure. It is a vital component of renal
autoregulation and long-term blood pressure control.
7. Which specific cell type is responsible for secreting antibodies during an adaptive immune
response?
A. Cytotoxic T cells
B. Helper T cells
C. Plasma cells
D. Natural Killer cells
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: When a B cell is activated by an antigen and a helper T cell, it undergoes
clonal expansion. Some of these B cells differentiate into plasma cells, which are antibody
factories. These antibodies circulate in the blood and lymph to neutralize pathogens.
Cytotoxic T cells directly kill infected host cells rather than secreting antibodies. Helper T
cells coordinate the response but do not produce the immunoglobulins themselves.
8. A patient has a tumor in the anterior pituitary that causes hypersecretion of ACTH. Which
of the following would be an expected clinical finding?
A. Low levels of cortisol
B. Hyperkalemia
C. High levels of cortisol
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal cortex to
release glucocorticoids, primarily cortisol. Excessive ACTH leads to overstimulation of the
