HESI A2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY REAL EXAM 150 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS 2026 LATEST UPDATE//ALREADY GRADED
A+
1. Histology is the study of ________.
A. Cells
B. Organs
C. Tissues
D. Systems
Answer: C. Tissues
Rationale: Histology is specifically the study of tissues, their structure, and function.
2. A tissue is defined as ________.
A. A single cell performing multiple functions
B. A group of cells that act together to perform a specific function
C. An organ system
D. A bone and its surrounding ligaments
Answer: B. A group of cells that act together to perform a specific function
Rationale: Tissues are collections of similar cells that coordinate to perform a specific role in the body.
3. Which of the following are fundamental tissue types?
A. Bone, Muscle, Skin, Fat
B. Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nerve
C. Dermis, Epidermis, Cartilage, Blood
D. Skeletal, Cardiac, Smooth, Nervous
Answer: B. Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nerve
Rationale: The four basic tissues—Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nerve—form the foundation of all
organs and systems. (Mnemonic: Elephants Can Make News)
4. The primary function of epithelial tissue is to ________.
A. Contract and move body parts
B. Produce blood cells
C. Cover, line, and protect the body and internal organs
D. Conduct nerve impulses
Answer: C. Cover, line, and protect the body and internal organs
Rationale: Epithelial cells form protective barriers on body surfaces and internal cavities.
,5. Connective tissue primarily functions to ________.
A. Protect the body from pathogens
B. Support and provide structure to organs
C. Generate electrical signals
D. Contract for movement
Answer: B. Support and provide structure to organs
Rationale: Connective tissue provides framework, support, and binds tissues and organs together.
6. Neuroglia refers to ________.
A. Muscle fibers in the nervous system
B. The neurons and connective tissue cells that compose nerve tissue
C. Hormone-secreting neurons
D. The protective layer around muscles
Answer: B. The neurons and connective tissue cells that compose nerve tissue
Rationale: Neuroglia provides structural and metabolic support for neurons in nerve tissue.
7. Muscle tissue is characterized by its ability to ________.
A. Conduct impulses
B. Store energy
C. Contract and shorten
D. Form blood cells
Answer: C. Contract and shorten
Rationale: Muscle tissue can generate force and motion through contraction.
8. Muscle tissue is classified as ________.
A. Voluntary (skeletal muscles) and involuntary (smooth & cardiac)
B. Epithelial and connective
C. Fast-twitch and slow-twitch
D. Contractile and non-contractile
Answer: A. Voluntary (skeletal muscles) and involuntary (smooth & cardiac)
Rationale: Skeletal muscles are consciously controlled, while smooth and cardiac muscles function
involuntarily.
9. Meiosis is ________.
A. Cell division in all body cells
B. Cell division that produces identical cells
C. Cell division that takes place in the gonads (ovaries and testes)
D. A type of asexual reproduction
Answer: C. Cell division that takes place in the gonads (ovaries and testes)
Rationale: Meiosis produces gametes with half the chromosome number of the parent cell.
, 10. The skin is composed of ________.
A. Epidermis and dermis
B. Epidermis and hypodermis
C. Dermis and subcutaneous tissue
D. Epidermis, dermis, and fascia
Answer: A. Epidermis and dermis
Rationale: The epidermis is the outer protective layer, while the dermis contains connective tissue,
vessels, and nerves.
11. The epidermis is ________.
A. The inner supportive layer of the skin
B. The outermost protective layer of dead keratinized epithelial cells
C. A layer of connective tissue
D. Composed of collagen and elastin only
Answer: B. The outermost protective layer of dead keratinized epithelial cells
Rationale: The epidermis forms a protective barrier against the environment.
12. The dermis is ________.
A. The same as the epidermis
B. The underlying layer of connective tissue with blood vessels, nerve endings, and associated skin
tissues
C. Composed only of keratin
D. A superficial fat layer
Answer: B. The underlying layer of connective tissue with blood vessels, nerve endings, and associated
skin tissues
Rationale: The dermis supports the epidermis and contains structures essential for sensation and
thermoregulation.
13. The layers of the epidermis include ________.
A. Corneum, Lucidum, Granulosum, Germivatum (Basale & Spinosum)
B. Stratum basale only
C. Dermis and hypodermis
D. Papillary and reticular layers
Answer: A. Corneum, Lucidum, Granulosum, Germivatum (Basale & Spinosum)
Rationale: These layers form the epidermal structure from outermost to innermost. (Mnemonic: Candy
Lions Growl Great)
AND CORRECT ANSWERS 2026 LATEST UPDATE//ALREADY GRADED
A+
1. Histology is the study of ________.
A. Cells
B. Organs
C. Tissues
D. Systems
Answer: C. Tissues
Rationale: Histology is specifically the study of tissues, their structure, and function.
2. A tissue is defined as ________.
A. A single cell performing multiple functions
B. A group of cells that act together to perform a specific function
C. An organ system
D. A bone and its surrounding ligaments
Answer: B. A group of cells that act together to perform a specific function
Rationale: Tissues are collections of similar cells that coordinate to perform a specific role in the body.
3. Which of the following are fundamental tissue types?
A. Bone, Muscle, Skin, Fat
B. Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nerve
C. Dermis, Epidermis, Cartilage, Blood
D. Skeletal, Cardiac, Smooth, Nervous
Answer: B. Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nerve
Rationale: The four basic tissues—Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, and Nerve—form the foundation of all
organs and systems. (Mnemonic: Elephants Can Make News)
4. The primary function of epithelial tissue is to ________.
A. Contract and move body parts
B. Produce blood cells
C. Cover, line, and protect the body and internal organs
D. Conduct nerve impulses
Answer: C. Cover, line, and protect the body and internal organs
Rationale: Epithelial cells form protective barriers on body surfaces and internal cavities.
,5. Connective tissue primarily functions to ________.
A. Protect the body from pathogens
B. Support and provide structure to organs
C. Generate electrical signals
D. Contract for movement
Answer: B. Support and provide structure to organs
Rationale: Connective tissue provides framework, support, and binds tissues and organs together.
6. Neuroglia refers to ________.
A. Muscle fibers in the nervous system
B. The neurons and connective tissue cells that compose nerve tissue
C. Hormone-secreting neurons
D. The protective layer around muscles
Answer: B. The neurons and connective tissue cells that compose nerve tissue
Rationale: Neuroglia provides structural and metabolic support for neurons in nerve tissue.
7. Muscle tissue is characterized by its ability to ________.
A. Conduct impulses
B. Store energy
C. Contract and shorten
D. Form blood cells
Answer: C. Contract and shorten
Rationale: Muscle tissue can generate force and motion through contraction.
8. Muscle tissue is classified as ________.
A. Voluntary (skeletal muscles) and involuntary (smooth & cardiac)
B. Epithelial and connective
C. Fast-twitch and slow-twitch
D. Contractile and non-contractile
Answer: A. Voluntary (skeletal muscles) and involuntary (smooth & cardiac)
Rationale: Skeletal muscles are consciously controlled, while smooth and cardiac muscles function
involuntarily.
9. Meiosis is ________.
A. Cell division in all body cells
B. Cell division that produces identical cells
C. Cell division that takes place in the gonads (ovaries and testes)
D. A type of asexual reproduction
Answer: C. Cell division that takes place in the gonads (ovaries and testes)
Rationale: Meiosis produces gametes with half the chromosome number of the parent cell.
, 10. The skin is composed of ________.
A. Epidermis and dermis
B. Epidermis and hypodermis
C. Dermis and subcutaneous tissue
D. Epidermis, dermis, and fascia
Answer: A. Epidermis and dermis
Rationale: The epidermis is the outer protective layer, while the dermis contains connective tissue,
vessels, and nerves.
11. The epidermis is ________.
A. The inner supportive layer of the skin
B. The outermost protective layer of dead keratinized epithelial cells
C. A layer of connective tissue
D. Composed of collagen and elastin only
Answer: B. The outermost protective layer of dead keratinized epithelial cells
Rationale: The epidermis forms a protective barrier against the environment.
12. The dermis is ________.
A. The same as the epidermis
B. The underlying layer of connective tissue with blood vessels, nerve endings, and associated skin
tissues
C. Composed only of keratin
D. A superficial fat layer
Answer: B. The underlying layer of connective tissue with blood vessels, nerve endings, and associated
skin tissues
Rationale: The dermis supports the epidermis and contains structures essential for sensation and
thermoregulation.
13. The layers of the epidermis include ________.
A. Corneum, Lucidum, Granulosum, Germivatum (Basale & Spinosum)
B. Stratum basale only
C. Dermis and hypodermis
D. Papillary and reticular layers
Answer: A. Corneum, Lucidum, Granulosum, Germivatum (Basale & Spinosum)
Rationale: These layers form the epidermal structure from outermost to innermost. (Mnemonic: Candy
Lions Growl Great)
