HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology 2025 Complete Real
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Original Copy
Practice Questions
1. Which of the following is the primary function of the respiratory system?
(a) To regulate body temperature
(b) To transport nutrients to cells
(c) To facilitate gas exchange
(d) To produce hormones
Rationale: The respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange, taking in oxygen and
expelling carbon dioxide. This process occurs primarily in the alveoli of the lungs. Other
systems handle temperature regulation (integumentary), nutrient transport (circulatory),
and hormone production (endocrine).
2. What is the basic structural unit of the nervous system?
(a) Neuron
(b) Nephron
(c) Osteon
(d) Myocyte
Rationale: The neuron is the functional unit of the nervous system, responsible for
transmitting electrical and chemical signals. Nephrons are in the kidneys, osteons in
bones, and myocytes are muscle cells.
3. Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis in a cell?
(a) Mitochondrion
(b) Ribosome
(c) Golgi apparatus
(d) Lysosome
Rationale: Ribosomes synthesize proteins by translating mRNA. Mitochondria produce
ATP, the Golgi apparatus modifies and packages proteins, and lysosomes degrade waste.
4. The term "homeostasis" refers to:
(a) The breakdown of glucose
(b) Maintaining a stable internal environment
1
, (c) The production of red blood cells
(d) The movement of water across membranes
Rationale: Homeostasis is the process of maintaining a stable internal environment de-
spite external changes. Other options refer to glycolysis, erythropoiesis, and osmosis,
respectively.
5. Which muscle type is under voluntary control?
(a) Cardiac muscle
(b) Smooth muscle
(c) Skeletal muscle
(d) Visceral muscle
Rationale: Skeletal muscle is voluntary, controlled by the somatic nervous system. Car-
diac and smooth muscles are involuntary, controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
6. What is the primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system?
(a) Solar radiation
(b) Geothermal heat
(c) Cellular respiration
(d) Chemical digestion
Rationale: While not directly a human physiology concept, solar radiation drives Earth’s
climate, which indirectly affects physiological adaptations. Other options are unrelated
to climate.
7. The femur is classified as what type of bone?
(a) Flat
(b) Short
(c) Long
(d) Irregular
Rationale: The femur is a long bone, characterized by a length greater than its width,
providing support and mobility. Flat bones (e.g., skull), short bones (e.g., carpals), and
irregular bones (e.g., vertebrae) have different structures.
8. Which part of the brain regulates heart rate and breathing?
(a) Cerebrum
(b) Cerebellum
(c) Medulla oblongata
2
, (d) Hypothalamus
Rationale: The medulla oblongata controls autonomic functions like heart rate and
breathing. The cerebrum handles higher functions, the cerebellum coordinates move-
ment, and the hypothalamus regulates hormones and homeostasis.
9. What is the function of the nephron in the kidney?
(a) Hormone secretion
(b) Blood filtration
(c) Oxygen transport
(d) Bone formation
Rationale: The nephron filters blood to form urine, regulating water and solute bal-
ance. Other functions are handled by endocrine glands, red blood cells, and osteoblasts,
respectively.
10. Which of the following is a function of the integumentary system?
(a) Producing insulin
(b) Protecting against pathogens
(c) Conducting nerve impulses
(d) Synthesizing red blood cells
Rationale: The integumentary system (skin) protects against pathogens via physical
barriers and immune responses. Other options relate to the pancreas, nervous system,
and bone marrow.
11. What is the role of the mitochondria in a cell?
(a) Protein synthesis
(b) Energy production
(c) Waste elimination
(d) DNA replication
Rationale: Mitochondria produce ATP through cellular respiration. Protein synthesis
occurs in ribosomes, waste elimination in lysosomes, and DNA replication in the nucleus.
12. The term "prone" refers to a body position that is:
(a) Lying face up
(b) Lying face down
(c) Standing upright
(d) Sitting with legs crossed
3
Exam Versions with Pass Guarantee | Verified Content |
Original Copy
Practice Questions
1. Which of the following is the primary function of the respiratory system?
(a) To regulate body temperature
(b) To transport nutrients to cells
(c) To facilitate gas exchange
(d) To produce hormones
Rationale: The respiratory system is responsible for gas exchange, taking in oxygen and
expelling carbon dioxide. This process occurs primarily in the alveoli of the lungs. Other
systems handle temperature regulation (integumentary), nutrient transport (circulatory),
and hormone production (endocrine).
2. What is the basic structural unit of the nervous system?
(a) Neuron
(b) Nephron
(c) Osteon
(d) Myocyte
Rationale: The neuron is the functional unit of the nervous system, responsible for
transmitting electrical and chemical signals. Nephrons are in the kidneys, osteons in
bones, and myocytes are muscle cells.
3. Which organelle is responsible for protein synthesis in a cell?
(a) Mitochondrion
(b) Ribosome
(c) Golgi apparatus
(d) Lysosome
Rationale: Ribosomes synthesize proteins by translating mRNA. Mitochondria produce
ATP, the Golgi apparatus modifies and packages proteins, and lysosomes degrade waste.
4. The term "homeostasis" refers to:
(a) The breakdown of glucose
(b) Maintaining a stable internal environment
1
, (c) The production of red blood cells
(d) The movement of water across membranes
Rationale: Homeostasis is the process of maintaining a stable internal environment de-
spite external changes. Other options refer to glycolysis, erythropoiesis, and osmosis,
respectively.
5. Which muscle type is under voluntary control?
(a) Cardiac muscle
(b) Smooth muscle
(c) Skeletal muscle
(d) Visceral muscle
Rationale: Skeletal muscle is voluntary, controlled by the somatic nervous system. Car-
diac and smooth muscles are involuntary, controlled by the autonomic nervous system.
6. What is the primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system?
(a) Solar radiation
(b) Geothermal heat
(c) Cellular respiration
(d) Chemical digestion
Rationale: While not directly a human physiology concept, solar radiation drives Earth’s
climate, which indirectly affects physiological adaptations. Other options are unrelated
to climate.
7. The femur is classified as what type of bone?
(a) Flat
(b) Short
(c) Long
(d) Irregular
Rationale: The femur is a long bone, characterized by a length greater than its width,
providing support and mobility. Flat bones (e.g., skull), short bones (e.g., carpals), and
irregular bones (e.g., vertebrae) have different structures.
8. Which part of the brain regulates heart rate and breathing?
(a) Cerebrum
(b) Cerebellum
(c) Medulla oblongata
2
, (d) Hypothalamus
Rationale: The medulla oblongata controls autonomic functions like heart rate and
breathing. The cerebrum handles higher functions, the cerebellum coordinates move-
ment, and the hypothalamus regulates hormones and homeostasis.
9. What is the function of the nephron in the kidney?
(a) Hormone secretion
(b) Blood filtration
(c) Oxygen transport
(d) Bone formation
Rationale: The nephron filters blood to form urine, regulating water and solute bal-
ance. Other functions are handled by endocrine glands, red blood cells, and osteoblasts,
respectively.
10. Which of the following is a function of the integumentary system?
(a) Producing insulin
(b) Protecting against pathogens
(c) Conducting nerve impulses
(d) Synthesizing red blood cells
Rationale: The integumentary system (skin) protects against pathogens via physical
barriers and immune responses. Other options relate to the pancreas, nervous system,
and bone marrow.
11. What is the role of the mitochondria in a cell?
(a) Protein synthesis
(b) Energy production
(c) Waste elimination
(d) DNA replication
Rationale: Mitochondria produce ATP through cellular respiration. Protein synthesis
occurs in ribosomes, waste elimination in lysosomes, and DNA replication in the nucleus.
12. The term "prone" refers to a body position that is:
(a) Lying face up
(b) Lying face down
(c) Standing upright
(d) Sitting with legs crossed
3
