HESI A2
HESI A2 Practice Test Anatomy and Physiology
1. Which type of muscle tissue is found in the heart?
- A. Smooth muscle
- B. Cardiac muscle
- C. Skeletal muscle
- D. Striated muscle
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Cardiac muscle tissue, represented by choice B, is the correct answer. Cardiac muscle tissue is unique to the heart and responsible for its involuntary contractions that pump blood throughout the body. Smooth muscle (choice A) is found in the walls of hollow organs, skeletal muscle (choice C) is attached to bones for movement, and striated muscle (choice D) is a general term that can refer to both cardiac and skeletal muscle but is not specific to the heart.
2. What is the main function of the digestive system?
- A. To break down food and absorb nutrients
- B. To regulate body temperature
- C. To transport nutrients
- D. To produce hormones
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The main function of the digestive system is to break down food into nutrients through the process of digestion. Once the food is broken down, the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream and utilized by the body for various functions. Choice B, regulating body temperature, is incorrect as it is the function of the body's thermoregulatory system, not the digestive system. Choice C, transporting nutrients, is incorrect as the digestive system primarily focuses on breaking down and absorbing nutrients rather than transporting them. Choice D, producing hormones, is also incorrect as hormone production is mainly carried out by endocrine glands and not the digestive system.
3. What type of joint is found in the shoulder?
- A. Ball and socket joint
- B. Hinge joint
- C. Saddle joint
- D. Pivot joint
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is a ball and socket joint. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, allowing for a wide range of motion, including rotation. This joint provides excellent flexibility and mobility, making movements like circular motions and rotations possible. A hinge joint, like the elbow, allows movement in only one plane (flexion and extension). A saddle joint, found in the thumb, allows for a wide range of motion but not as much as a ball and socket joint. A pivot joint, such as the joint between the first and second vertebrae of the neck, allows rotation only.
4. Which organelle in the cell contains the genetic material?
- A. Ribosome
- B. Nucleus
- C. Mitochondria
- D. Endoplasmic reticulum
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, Nucleus. The nucleus is the organelle in the cell that contains the genetic material (DNA). DNA within the nucleus determines the cell's functions and characteristics, making it essential for cell function and replication. Choice A, Ribosome, is responsible for protein synthesis, not genetic material storage. Choice C, Mitochondria, produces energy but does not contain the genetic material. Choice D, Endoplasmic reticulum, is involved in protein synthesis and lipid metabolism but does not house the genetic material.
5. Which organ is responsible for the production of hormones during stress?
- A. Parathyroid gland
- B. Adrenal cortex
- C. Posterior pituitary gland
- D. Hypothalamus
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The adrenal cortex is the organ responsible for producing stress hormones like cortisol and aldosterone, which play a crucial role in the body's stress response. During stress, the adrenal cortex releases cortisol, a hormone that helps the body deal with stress by increasing blood sugar, suppressing the immune system, and aiding in metabolism. Parathyroid gland is responsible for calcium regulation, the posterior pituitary gland secretes hormones like oxytocin and vasopressin which are not directly related to the stress response, and the hypothalamus plays a role in regulating hormonal balance and various bodily functions but is not primarily responsible for producing stress hormones.
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