HESI A2
Anatomy HESI A2 Practice Test
1. Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating breathing and heart rate?
- A. Cerebrum
- B. Medulla oblongata
- C. Cerebellum
- D. Hypothalamus
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is the Medulla oblongata. This structure, located in the brainstem, plays a crucial role in regulating essential functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It serves as a control center for autonomic functions necessary for maintaining life. The Cerebrum (Choice A) is mainly responsible for higher brain functions such as thinking and voluntary movements, not for regulating basic physiological processes like breathing and heart rate. The Cerebellum (Choice C) is involved in coordination, balance, and muscle control, but not in regulating breathing and heart rate. The Hypothalamus (Choice D) plays a role in regulating body temperature, hunger, and thirst, but it is not primarily responsible for controlling breathing and heart rate.
2. What is the role of enzymes in the body?
- A. To produce energy
- B. To speed up chemical reactions
- C. To transport molecules
- D. To repair tissues
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Enzymes are biological catalysts that facilitate and speed up chemical reactions in the body. They do not produce energy but enable various processes such as digestion and metabolism by lowering the activation energy required for reactions to occur. Choice A is incorrect because enzymes do not produce energy themselves but assist in energy production through reactions. Choice C is incorrect as enzymes do not primarily function in transporting molecules, although some may have a role in specific transport processes. Choice D is incorrect as the primary role of enzymes is not to repair tissues, but rather to catalyze biochemical reactions.
3. What is the name of the structure that prevents food from entering the airway?
- A. trachea
- B. esophagus
- C. diaphragm
- D. epiglottis
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The epiglottis is the structure that prevents food from entering the airway. It acts as a lid over the trachea during swallowing, directing food to the esophagus instead of the windpipe (trachea). The trachea (Choice A) is the windpipe that allows air to pass into the lungs, the esophagus (Choice B) is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach, and the diaphragm (Choice C) is a muscle involved in breathing and not in preventing food passage.
4. Which of the following is known as the production of red blood cells?
- A. Thrombopoiesis
- B. Erythropoiesis
- C. Hematopoiesis
- D. Phagocytosis
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Erythropoiesis specifically refers to the process of producing red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the bone marrow. Hematopoiesis is the broader term that encompasses the production of all types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Phagocytosis is the process by which cells engulf and digest particles, while thrombopoiesis is the production of platelets. Therefore, the correct answer is B as it directly relates to the production of red blood cells.
5. Which structure in the ear is responsible for detecting sound?
- A. Cochlea
- B. Eustachian tube
- C. Ossicles
- D. Semicircular canals
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The cochlea, situated in the inner ear, is responsible for detecting sound waves and converting them into neural signals that are transmitted to the brain for processing. The cochlea contains specialized sensory cells that respond to different frequencies of sound, allowing us to hear a wide range of sounds. The other structures listed, such as the eustachian tube, ossicles, and semicircular canals, play roles in functions like equalizing pressure, transmitting vibrations, and maintaining balance, respectively, but they are not directly involved in the detection of sound.
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