which hormone is produced by the adrenal cortex

HESI A2

HESI A2 Practice Test Anatomy and Physiology

1. Which hormone is produced by the adrenal cortex?

A. Insulin
B. Cortisol
C. Thyroxine
D. Glucagon

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone produced by the adrenal cortex. It plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, immune response, and managing stress. Insulin is produced by the pancreas, thyroxine by the thyroid gland, and glucagon by the pancreas. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they are not hormones produced by the adrenal cortex.

2. Which muscle group is primarily responsible for extending the knee?

A. Hamstrings
B. Quadriceps
C. Calves
D. Glutes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The quadriceps, a group of muscles located on the front of the thigh, are primarily responsible for extending the knee joint. When the quadriceps contract, they work to straighten the knee, allowing for actions like kicking or standing up from a seated position. The hamstrings (Choice A) are responsible for flexing the knee, the calves (Choice C) primarily work on plantar flexion at the ankle joint, and the glutes (Choice D) are mainly involved in hip extension.

3. What is the role of the stomach in digestion?

A. To absorb nutrients
B. To break down food
C. To secrete digestive enzymes
D. To transport nutrients

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: To break down food. The stomach's primary function in digestion is to mechanically and chemically break down food. It achieves this by utilizing gastric acid and digestive enzymes to convert food into chyme, a semi-liquid mixture. The chyme is then passed to the small intestine for further processing and absorption of nutrients. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the stomach's main role is not to absorb nutrients, secrete digestive enzymes, or transport nutrients; instead, it primarily focuses on breaking down food.

4. Which of the following structures has the lowest blood pressure?

A. arteries
B. arterioles
C. venules
D. veins

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Veins have the lowest blood pressure among the listed structures. This is because veins carry blood back to the heart at a slower rate compared to arteries, arterioles, and venules. The lower blood pressure in veins allows for the efficient return of blood to the heart despite the decreased pressure. Arteries have high blood pressure as they transport blood away from the heart at a rapid rate. Arterioles are smaller branches of arteries and contribute to resistance in the circulatory system, leading to a pressure drop. Venules are small blood vessels that collect blood from capillaries and gradually converge into veins, having slightly higher pressure than veins.

5. What is the function of the stomach in digestion?

A. To absorb nutrients
B. To break down food
C. To secrete digestive enzymes
D. To store glucose

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To break down food.' The stomach's primary function in digestion is to break down food mechanically and chemically. It accomplishes this by mixing food with gastric acid and digestive enzymes, resulting in the formation of chyme, a semi-liquid mixture that moves on to further digestion in the small intestine. Choice A is incorrect because the absorption of nutrients occurs mainly in the small intestine, not in the stomach. Choice C is incorrect because while the stomach does secrete digestive enzymes like pepsin, its primary role is not just limited to enzyme secretion. Choice D is incorrect because the storage of glucose primarily occurs in the liver and muscles, not in the stomach.