Test Bank for Vander’s Human Physiology 16th
Edition All Chapters Latest Edition Chapters 1-
18
Chapter 1: Homeostasis: A Framework for Human Physiology
1. Physiology is best defined as the study of:
A. Body structure
B. How organisms function
C. Disease states
D. Tissue composition
Answer: B
Explanation: Physiology focuses on the functions and mechanisms of living organisms, while
anatomy studies structure. Pathophysiology examines disease states.
2. Which of the following best describes "homeostasis"?
A. Rigid constancy of the internal environment
B. Dynamic constancy of the internal environment
C. Maintaining a stable external environment
D. Complete absence of change
Answer: B
Explanation: Homeostasis refers to maintaining a relatively stable internal environment through
dynamic regulatory processes, not rigid constancy.
3. The steady-state value that the body attempts to maintain for a physiological variable is
called the:
A. Error signal
B. Set point
C. Equilibrium potential
D. Reflex arc
,Answer: B
Explanation: The set point is the target value around which physiological variables are
regulated. Error signals occur when deviations from this set point are detected.
4. Which of the following is an example of negative feedback?
A. Blood clotting cascade
B. Childbirth uterine contractions
C. Insulin secretion in response to elevated blood glucose
D. Action potential generation
Answer: C
Explanation: Insulin secretion reduces blood glucose, reversing the initial stimulus—a classic
negative feedback mechanism. Blood clotting and childbirth are positive feedback examples.
5. Feedforward regulation differs from feedback regulation because it:
A. Is always inhibitory
B. Anticipates changes in regulated variables
C. Only occurs in the nervous system
D. Requires an error signal
Answer: B
Explanation: Feedforward mechanisms enable the body to anticipate changes and prepare for
them before deviations occur, working in conjunction with negative feedback.
Chapter 2: Chemical Composition of the Body
6. Which of the following is NOT one of the four major types of organic molecules in the
body?
A. Proteins
B. Carbohydrates
C. Water
D. Lipids
Answer: C
Explanation: Water is an inorganic molecule. The four major organic molecule classes are
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
7. The primary function of enzymes in biological systems is to:
A. Store genetic information
B. Catalyze chemical reactions
,C. Provide structural support
D. Transport oxygen
Answer: B
Explanation: Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions without being
consumed. They lower activation energy and are not changed by the reactions they catalyze.
8. ATP is best described as:
A. A long-term energy storage molecule
B. The energy currency of the cell
C. A structural component of membranes
D. A genetic material
Answer: B
Explanation: ATP serves as the immediate energy currency, transferring energy from exergonic
to endergonic reactions. It is not a long-term storage form.
Chapter 3: Cellular Structure, Proteins, and Metabolic Pathways
9. Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis?
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosome
C. Lysosome
D. Golgi apparatus
Answer: B
Explanation: Ribosomes are the sites of translation, where mRNA is decoded into polypeptide
chains.
10. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) primarily functions in:
A. DNA replication
B. Protein folding and modification
C. ATP synthesis
D. Waste degradation
Answer: B
Explanation: The rough ER is involved in protein synthesis and folding, while the smooth ER
handles lipid synthesis and detoxification.
11. Which of the following best describes the role of phosphodiesterase in cAMP signaling?
A. It synthesizes cAMP from ATP
, B. It degrades cAMP to AMP, terminating the signal
C. It phosphorylates the receptor
D. It activates protein kinase A
Answer: B
Explanation: Phosphodiesterase hydrolyzes cAMP to 5'-AMP, terminating the signal. Inhibitors
like caffeine prolong cAMP effects.
Chapter 4: Movement of Solutes and Water Across Cell Membranes
12. Simple diffusion across a membrane requires:
A. ATP hydrolysis
B. A concentration gradient
C. A transport protein
D. Vesicle formation
Answer: B
Explanation: Simple diffusion is passive movement down a concentration gradient without
energy or protein assistance.
13. Which of the following is TRUE regarding facilitated diffusion?
A. It requires ATP
B. It moves solutes against their concentration gradient
C. It uses membrane proteins
D. It is a form of active transport
Answer: C
Explanation: Facilitated diffusion uses carrier or channel proteins to move solutes down their
concentration gradient without ATP.
14. The Na+/K+ ATPase pump transports:
A. 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in per ATP
B. 2 Na+ out and 3 K+ in per ATP
C. 3 Na+ in and 2 K+ out per ATP
D. Equal numbers of Na+ and K+
Answer: A
Explanation: The Na+/K+ ATPase moves 3 sodium ions out and 2 potassium ions in per ATP
hydrolyzed, contributing to the resting membrane potential.
Edition All Chapters Latest Edition Chapters 1-
18
Chapter 1: Homeostasis: A Framework for Human Physiology
1. Physiology is best defined as the study of:
A. Body structure
B. How organisms function
C. Disease states
D. Tissue composition
Answer: B
Explanation: Physiology focuses on the functions and mechanisms of living organisms, while
anatomy studies structure. Pathophysiology examines disease states.
2. Which of the following best describes "homeostasis"?
A. Rigid constancy of the internal environment
B. Dynamic constancy of the internal environment
C. Maintaining a stable external environment
D. Complete absence of change
Answer: B
Explanation: Homeostasis refers to maintaining a relatively stable internal environment through
dynamic regulatory processes, not rigid constancy.
3. The steady-state value that the body attempts to maintain for a physiological variable is
called the:
A. Error signal
B. Set point
C. Equilibrium potential
D. Reflex arc
,Answer: B
Explanation: The set point is the target value around which physiological variables are
regulated. Error signals occur when deviations from this set point are detected.
4. Which of the following is an example of negative feedback?
A. Blood clotting cascade
B. Childbirth uterine contractions
C. Insulin secretion in response to elevated blood glucose
D. Action potential generation
Answer: C
Explanation: Insulin secretion reduces blood glucose, reversing the initial stimulus—a classic
negative feedback mechanism. Blood clotting and childbirth are positive feedback examples.
5. Feedforward regulation differs from feedback regulation because it:
A. Is always inhibitory
B. Anticipates changes in regulated variables
C. Only occurs in the nervous system
D. Requires an error signal
Answer: B
Explanation: Feedforward mechanisms enable the body to anticipate changes and prepare for
them before deviations occur, working in conjunction with negative feedback.
Chapter 2: Chemical Composition of the Body
6. Which of the following is NOT one of the four major types of organic molecules in the
body?
A. Proteins
B. Carbohydrates
C. Water
D. Lipids
Answer: C
Explanation: Water is an inorganic molecule. The four major organic molecule classes are
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
7. The primary function of enzymes in biological systems is to:
A. Store genetic information
B. Catalyze chemical reactions
,C. Provide structural support
D. Transport oxygen
Answer: B
Explanation: Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions without being
consumed. They lower activation energy and are not changed by the reactions they catalyze.
8. ATP is best described as:
A. A long-term energy storage molecule
B. The energy currency of the cell
C. A structural component of membranes
D. A genetic material
Answer: B
Explanation: ATP serves as the immediate energy currency, transferring energy from exergonic
to endergonic reactions. It is not a long-term storage form.
Chapter 3: Cellular Structure, Proteins, and Metabolic Pathways
9. Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis?
A. Mitochondria
B. Ribosome
C. Lysosome
D. Golgi apparatus
Answer: B
Explanation: Ribosomes are the sites of translation, where mRNA is decoded into polypeptide
chains.
10. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) primarily functions in:
A. DNA replication
B. Protein folding and modification
C. ATP synthesis
D. Waste degradation
Answer: B
Explanation: The rough ER is involved in protein synthesis and folding, while the smooth ER
handles lipid synthesis and detoxification.
11. Which of the following best describes the role of phosphodiesterase in cAMP signaling?
A. It synthesizes cAMP from ATP
, B. It degrades cAMP to AMP, terminating the signal
C. It phosphorylates the receptor
D. It activates protein kinase A
Answer: B
Explanation: Phosphodiesterase hydrolyzes cAMP to 5'-AMP, terminating the signal. Inhibitors
like caffeine prolong cAMP effects.
Chapter 4: Movement of Solutes and Water Across Cell Membranes
12. Simple diffusion across a membrane requires:
A. ATP hydrolysis
B. A concentration gradient
C. A transport protein
D. Vesicle formation
Answer: B
Explanation: Simple diffusion is passive movement down a concentration gradient without
energy or protein assistance.
13. Which of the following is TRUE regarding facilitated diffusion?
A. It requires ATP
B. It moves solutes against their concentration gradient
C. It uses membrane proteins
D. It is a form of active transport
Answer: C
Explanation: Facilitated diffusion uses carrier or channel proteins to move solutes down their
concentration gradient without ATP.
14. The Na+/K+ ATPase pump transports:
A. 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in per ATP
B. 2 Na+ out and 3 K+ in per ATP
C. 3 Na+ in and 2 K+ out per ATP
D. Equal numbers of Na+ and K+
Answer: A
Explanation: The Na+/K+ ATPase moves 3 sodium ions out and 2 potassium ions in per ATP
hydrolyzed, contributing to the resting membrane potential.
