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 and function
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: Which statement best expresses the complementarity of
structure and function?
A. Function determines the development of structure.
B. Structure determines possible functions.
C. Structure and function are unrelated.
D. Function only applies to organs, not cells.
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): Marieb emphasizes that anatomical form
enables physiological function: the shape and arrangement of
structures permit specific activities (Chap. 1). This principle
underlies organ design and cellular specialization. Pearson
Why A is wrong: Reverses the correct relationship — function
does not primarily determine anatomical form; rather structure
enables function.
Why C is wrong: Contradicts the core unifying concept
presented in Chapter 1.
,Why D is wrong: Function applies across levels (cells → tissues
→ organs), not only organs.
Teaching point: Anatomy defines what a structure can do; form
enables function.
A&P002
Chapter / Section / Page-Fig: Chapter 1 — 1.1 Topics of
Anatomy / Studying Anatomy — p. 6–8; Fig. 1.4. Pearson+1
Subtopic: Gross vs. microscopic anatomy
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: A student examining tissue slides under a microscope is
studying which subfield of anatomy?
A. Gross anatomy
B. Microscopic anatomy (histology)
C. Developmental anatomy
D. Radiographic anatomy
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): Microscopic anatomy (histology) examines
cells and tissues using microscopes; Marieb distinguishes it
from gross anatomy, which studies visible structures. The text
groups histology under microscopic approaches. Pearson
Why A is wrong: Gross anatomy examines structures visible to
the naked eye (dissections/models).
Why C is wrong: Developmental anatomy focuses on structural
,change from conception to maturity, not routine tissue slides.
Why D is wrong: Radiographic anatomy uses imaging (X-ray,
CT), not basic light microscopy.
Teaching point: Use microscopy for histology; gross dissection
for visible anatomy.
A&P003
Chapter / Section / Page-Fig: Chapter 1 — 1.2 The body’s
organization ranges from atoms to organism — p. 8–9; Fig. 1.3.
Pearson Canada School
Subtopic: Levels of structural organization
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: Which sequence lists structural organization from
simplest to most complex?
A. Organ → Tissue → Cell → Organism → System
B. Atom → Molecule → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ system
→ Organism
C. Molecule → Atom → Organ → Cell → Tissue → Organism
D. Cell → Molecule → Atom → Tissue → Organ → System
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): Marieb describes the hierarchical
organization beginning at chemical (atoms, molecules),
progressing through cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and
the organism. This hierarchy is foundational. Pearson
, Why A is wrong: Order is incorrect — organ is not simplest and
system/organism placement wrong.
Why C is wrong: Molecule and atom order reversed and organ
appears too early.
Why D is wrong: Cell does not precede molecule/atom in the
structural hierarchy.
Teaching point: Body organization builds from chemical to
organismal levels.
A&P004
Chapter / Section / Page-Fig: Chapter 1 — 1.3 What are the
requirements for life? — Necessary Life Functions — p. 9–12;
Fig. 1.3. Pearson Canada School
Subtopic: Maintaining boundaries
Cognitive Level: Application
Difficulty: Medium
Stem: A burn patient has damaged skin barrier. Which life
function is most directly impaired?
A. Responsiveness
B. Maintaining boundaries
C. Reproduction
D. Metabolism
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): Skin maintains internal/external
boundaries, preventing fluid loss and pathogen entry; Marieb
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 and function
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: Which statement best expresses the complementarity of
structure and function?
A. Function determines the development of structure.
B. Structure determines possible functions.
C. Structure and function are unrelated.
D. Function only applies to organs, not cells.
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): Marieb emphasizes that anatomical form
enables physiological function: the shape and arrangement of
structures permit specific activities (Chap. 1). This principle
underlies organ design and cellular specialization. Pearson
Why A is wrong: Reverses the correct relationship — function
does not primarily determine anatomical form; rather structure
enables function.
Why C is wrong: Contradicts the core unifying concept
presented in Chapter 1.
,Why D is wrong: Function applies across levels (cells → tissues
→ organs), not only organs.
Teaching point: Anatomy defines what a structure can do; form
enables function.
A&P002
Chapter / Section / Page-Fig: Chapter 1 — 1.1 Topics of
Anatomy / Studying Anatomy — p. 6–8; Fig. 1.4. Pearson+1
Subtopic: Gross vs. microscopic anatomy
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: A student examining tissue slides under a microscope is
studying which subfield of anatomy?
A. Gross anatomy
B. Microscopic anatomy (histology)
C. Developmental anatomy
D. Radiographic anatomy
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): Microscopic anatomy (histology) examines
cells and tissues using microscopes; Marieb distinguishes it
from gross anatomy, which studies visible structures. The text
groups histology under microscopic approaches. Pearson
Why A is wrong: Gross anatomy examines structures visible to
the naked eye (dissections/models).
Why C is wrong: Developmental anatomy focuses on structural
,change from conception to maturity, not routine tissue slides.
Why D is wrong: Radiographic anatomy uses imaging (X-ray,
CT), not basic light microscopy.
Teaching point: Use microscopy for histology; gross dissection
for visible anatomy.
A&P003
Chapter / Section / Page-Fig: Chapter 1 — 1.2 The body’s
organization ranges from atoms to organism — p. 8–9; Fig. 1.3.
Pearson Canada School
Subtopic: Levels of structural organization
Cognitive Level: Recall
Difficulty: Easy
Stem: Which sequence lists structural organization from
simplest to most complex?
A. Organ → Tissue → Cell → Organism → System
B. Atom → Molecule → Cell → Tissue → Organ → Organ system
→ Organism
C. Molecule → Atom → Organ → Cell → Tissue → Organism
D. Cell → Molecule → Atom → Tissue → Organ → System
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): Marieb describes the hierarchical
organization beginning at chemical (atoms, molecules),
progressing through cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and
the organism. This hierarchy is foundational. Pearson
, Why A is wrong: Order is incorrect — organ is not simplest and
system/organism placement wrong.
Why C is wrong: Molecule and atom order reversed and organ
appears too early.
Why D is wrong: Cell does not precede molecule/atom in the
structural hierarchy.
Teaching point: Body organization builds from chemical to
organismal levels.
A&P004
Chapter / Section / Page-Fig: Chapter 1 — 1.3 What are the
requirements for life? — Necessary Life Functions — p. 9–12;
Fig. 1.3. Pearson Canada School
Subtopic: Maintaining boundaries
Cognitive Level: Application
Difficulty: Medium
Stem: A burn patient has damaged skin barrier. Which life
function is most directly impaired?
A. Responsiveness
B. Maintaining boundaries
C. Reproduction
D. Metabolism
Correct answer: B
Rationale (correct): Skin maintains internal/external
boundaries, preventing fluid loss and pathogen entry; Marieb
