PHYSIOLOGY
12TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)FREDERIC H. MARTINI;
JUDI L. NATH; EDWIN F.
BARTHOLOMEW
TEST BANK
Ch. 1 — Levels of Organization — Structural Hierarchy and
Emergent Function
Stem: A student slices a thin sample from a liver and examines
hepatocytes under a microscope, then reviews how damaged
hepatocytes affect bile production and whole-body metabolic
balance. Which level of organization best explains why damage
to many cells causes organ-level dysfunction that impairs
systemic physiology?
A. Chemical level
B. Cellular level
,C. Tissue level
D. Organ system level
Correct answer: C
Rationale — Correct (3–4 sentences): Tissue level explains how
collections of similar cells and their extracellular matrix work
together to perform a specific function; when many cells
(hepatocytes) are damaged, the tissue’s integrated activity (e.g.,
bile synthesis) is reduced, producing organ-level dysfunction
and downstream systemic effects. Emergent properties at the
tissue level (coordinated secretion, transport) are necessary for
the organ’s role in metabolism.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Chemical level — Chemical interactions (molecules) are
foundational but do not alone explain emergent, coordinated
tissue functions.
B. Cellular level — Individual cell damage matters, but organ
dysfunction arises from disruption of the tissue’s collective
function.
D. Organ system level — Organ systems describe higher
integration (multiple organs); the immediate explanation for
loss of bile production is disruption at the tissue level.
Teaching point: Tissues are the first level where coordinated
cellular activity produces distinct organ function.
Citation: Martini, F. H., Nath, J. L., & Bartholomew, E. F. (2024).
Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology (12th ed.). Ch. 1.
,Ch. 1 — Levels of Organization — Scale and Integration
Stem: A physiology lab measures oxygen diffusion into isolated
cells and into an intact lung segment. The intact lung shows
much greater effective gas exchange than the isolated cells.
Which principle best accounts for this difference?
A. Reductionism — smaller parts always explain the whole
B. Emergent properties — system integration produces new
functions
C. Homeostasis — feedback maintains constant cellular
composition
D. Anatomical variation — individual differences alter exchange
rates
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (3–4 sentences): Emergent properties
explain how interactions among components (cells, tissues,
surfaces, blood flow) produce functions (efficient gas exchange)
not present in isolated cells. The lung’s multicellular
architecture (alveoli, capillaries) and coordinated perfusion-
ventilation relationships enable efficient exchange beyond what
single cells can accomplish.
Rationale — Incorrect:
A. Reductionism — Useful for analysis but cannot fully account
for system-level functions that arise from integration.
C. Homeostasis — Maintains internal environment but does not
explain the increased function of an intact organ versus isolated
, cells.
D. Anatomical variation — May influence rates but does not
provide the conceptual explanation of system emergence.
Teaching point: Emergent properties arise when structure and
integration at higher levels enable new functions.
Citation: Martini, F. H., Nath, J. L., & Bartholomew, E. F. (2024).
Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology (12th ed.). Ch. 1.
Ch. 1 — Anatomical Terminology — Anatomical Position &
Directional Terms
Stem: A cadaver is positioned standing, palms forward, and a
cut is made parallel to the long axis that separates the anterior
and posterior portions. A student identifies this plane and must
describe the directional relationship between the sternum and
the scapula. Which description is correct?
A. The sternum is lateral to the scapula.
B. The sternum is medial to the scapula.
C. The sternum is proximal to the scapula.
D. The sternum is superficial to the scapula.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (3–4 sentences): In anatomical position,
the sternum lies toward the midline of the body and the
scapulae are lateral on the posterior thorax; therefore the
sternum is medial to the scapula. Medial/lateral describe
positions relative to the midline and are appropriate here.