What is the role of enzymes in the body?

Questions 38

HESI A2

HESI A2 Test Bank

Anatomy HESI A2 Practice Test Questions

Question 1 of 9

What is the role of enzymes in the body?

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.

Question 2 of 9

When an individual is under stress, hormones are released. Which of the following is not one of the locations where hormones are released when under stress?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The parathyroid gland is not a location where hormones are typically released during stress. It primarily regulates calcium levels in the blood through the release of parathyroid hormone (PTH). On the other hand, the adrenal cortex releases hormones like cortisol in response to stress, the posterior pituitary releases oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone, and the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in coordinating stress responses through the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Therefore, the parathyroid gland is the correct answer as it is not directly involved in the stress response pathway.

Question 3 of 9

What is the main function of the urinary bladder?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: To store urine. The main function of the urinary bladder is to store urine produced by the kidneys before it is excreted from the body. It acts as a reservoir for urine until it is expelled during urination. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the urinary bladder does not filter blood, store or concentrate bile, or absorb nutrients. It is solely responsible for storing and releasing urine.

Question 4 of 9

What is the primary function of the liver?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The primary function of the liver is to detoxify harmful substances in the blood. While the liver also produces bile, which aids in digestion, stores glycogen for energy storage, and participates in metabolism, its main and essential function is detoxification. Producing insulin is mainly attributed to the pancreas, not the liver.

Question 5 of 9

What is the name of the structure that prevents food from entering the airway?

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.

Question 6 of 9

Which of the following is an organ of the respiratory system?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The larynx is an essential organ of the respiratory system. It plays a crucial role in producing sound, protecting the trachea from food aspiration, and regulating the airflow to and from the lungs. The brain is part of the nervous system, the urethra is part of the urinary system, and the pancreas is part of the digestive system. Therefore, they are not directly related to the respiratory system's functions.

Question 7 of 9

What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The primary function of the cardiovascular system is to pump blood throughout the body, ensuring that oxygen and nutrients are delivered to tissues while removing waste products. This circulation is essential for maintaining overall health and proper functioning of the body's cells and organs. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because while the cardiovascular system does deliver nutrients to tissues indirectly by transporting them in the blood, regulating body temperature is primarily the role of the endocrine and nervous systems, and protecting the body from infection is the main function of the immune system.

Question 8 of 9

What part of the eye is responsible for focusing light on the retina?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The lens of the eye is responsible for focusing light on the retina. When light enters the eye, it first passes through the cornea, which helps in bending the light, and then the lens further refracts and focuses the light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The retina contains photoreceptor cells that convert light into neural signals, which are then sent to the brain for visual processing. The cornea is the transparent outermost layer of the eye that helps in focusing light, but the main responsibility lies with the lens. The retina is the layer at the back of the eye that receives the focused light and initiates the process of vision. The pupil is the opening in the center of the iris that controls the amount of light entering the eye and is not directly involved in focusing light on the retina.

Question 9 of 9

What is the role of platelets in the blood?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, play a crucial role in blood clotting. When there is an injury, platelets adhere to the site and release substances that form a clot, preventing excessive bleeding. This function is vital for maintaining hemostasis and preventing blood loss. Choice A is incorrect because red blood cells, not platelets, are responsible for transporting oxygen. Choice B is incorrect as white blood cells are primarily responsible for fighting infections. Choice D is incorrect as nutrients are mainly transported by plasma and red blood cells, not platelets.

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