HESI A2
HESI A2 Practice Test Anatomy and Physiology
1. Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary gland?
- A. Oxytocin
- B. Thyroxine
- C. Insulin
- D. ADH
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Oxytocin is the correct answer. It is released by the posterior pituitary gland and plays a vital role in childbirth and lactation. Oxytocin promotes uterine contractions during labor and milk ejection during breastfeeding. Choice B, Thyroxine, is incorrect as it is produced by the thyroid gland. Choice C, Insulin, is incorrect as it is produced by the pancreas. Choice D, ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone), is also released by the posterior pituitary gland, but it is not the hormone primarily associated with childbirth and lactation.
2. How do the muscular and skeletal systems collaborate to facilitate movement?
- A. Muscles attached to tendons contract to bend the skeleton at the joints.
- B. The hard bones of the skeleton protect the voluntary muscles of the limbs.
- C. The cardiac muscles produce calcium that is needed for sturdy bones.
- D. Smooth muscles on internal organs leach excess minerals from the bones.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The muscular system and the skeletal system collaborate to facilitate movement. Muscles are connected to bones through tendons and contract to generate movement at the joints. When muscles contract, they exert force on the bones, resulting in actions like bending the arm or leg. This coordinated effort between muscles and bones is crucial for various activities such as walking, running, and grasping objects. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the interaction between the muscular and skeletal systems. The skeletal system's primary role is to provide structural support and protect internal organs, while cardiac muscles are responsible for heart function and not bone strength. Smooth muscles are found in internal organs and are not involved in leaching excess minerals from bones.
3. What are muscle contractions that normally move food along the human digestive system known as?
- A. defecation
- B. osmosis
- C. peristalsis
- D. circulation
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Muscle contractions that move food along the human digestive system are known as peristalsis. Peristalsis consists of a series of coordinated muscular contractions and relaxations that help propel food through the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, facilitating efficient digestion and nutrient absorption. Defecation refers to expelling waste from the body, osmosis is the movement of water across a membrane, and circulation relates to the movement of blood in the body's circulatory system, not directly involved in food transportation along the digestive tract.
4. Which bone does not articulate with any other bone?
- A. Femur
- B. Hyoid
- C. Radius
- D. Scapula
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The hyoid bone is the correct answer as it is the only bone in the human body that does not articulate with any other bone. Instead, it is suspended in the neck by ligaments and muscles, providing support for the tongue and serving as an attachment point for various throat and tongue muscles. The femur (Choice A), radius (Choice C), and scapula (Choice D) all articulate with other bones in the body at various joints, making them incorrect answers for this question.
5. Which part of the brain controls involuntary actions such as breathing and heart rate?
- A. Cerebrum
- B. Cerebellum
- C. Medulla oblongata
- D. Hypothalamus
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The medulla oblongata, located at the base of the brainstem, controls essential involuntary actions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It plays a crucial role in maintaining vital functions necessary for survival. The cerebrum is responsible for voluntary actions, conscious thought, and sensory processing, making it an incorrect choice. The cerebellum primarily coordinates movement, balance, and posture, not involuntary actions like breathing and heart rate. The hypothalamus regulates body temperature, thirst, hunger, and controls the endocrine system, but it is not directly responsible for controlling breathing and heart rate.
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