HESI A2
HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology 2023 Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which hormone is involved in the fight or flight response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Adrenaline. Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is the hormone involved in the fight or flight response. It is released by the adrenal glands, preparing the body for action by increasing heart rate, dilating airways, and mobilizing energy stores. Choice A, Cortisol, is a hormone released in response to stress but is not directly involved in the fight or flight response. Choice C, Thyroxine, is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism and growth, not specifically associated with the fight or flight response. Choice D, Melatonin, is a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles and is not involved in the fight or flight response.
Question 2 of 9
Which part of the brain is responsible for memory and learning?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Temporal lobe. The temporal lobe of the brain plays a crucial role in processing auditory information, memory formation, and learning. It contains the hippocampus, a structure vital for the formation of new memories and the conversion of short-term memories into long-term ones. Damage to the temporal lobe can lead to memory impairments and difficulties in learning new information. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the frontal lobe is primarily involved in decision making, problem-solving, and emotional control; the parietal lobe is responsible for sensory processing and spatial orientation; and the occipital lobe is mainly dedicated to visual processing and interpretation.
Question 3 of 9
Which type of joint allows for movement in multiple directions?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is a ball and socket joint like the shoulder or hip joint, as it allows for movement in multiple directions, including rotation. This type of joint offers a high degree of mobility due to its structure, where the rounded end of one bone fits into the cup-like socket of another bone. A hinge joint (Choice A) allows movement primarily in one plane, like the elbow or knee. A pivot joint (Choice C) allows for rotation around an axis, seen in the neck joint. A saddle joint (Choice D) enables movements in multiple directions but to a lesser extent compared to a ball and socket joint, found in the thumb joint.
Question 4 of 9
What is the most visible part of the ear called?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The pinna, also known as the auricle, is the most visible part of the ear. It is responsible for capturing sound waves and directing them into the ear canal, where the process of hearing begins. The other structures mentioned, such as the cochlea, ear canal, and organ of Corti, play crucial roles in the auditory system but are not the most visible parts of the ear. The cochlea is a spiral-shaped cavity responsible for converting sound vibrations into neural signals. The ear canal is a tube that connects the outer ear to the eardrum. The organ of Corti is the actual sensory organ of hearing located in the cochlea.
Question 5 of 9
Where is the genetic material located within a cell?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The genetic material, which is composed of DNA, is primarily located in the nucleus of a cell. The nucleus serves as the control center of the cell, housing the genetic information that directs the cell's functions and characteristics. Choice B (Mitochondria), C (Ribosome), and D (Golgi apparatus) are incorrect because while these cellular components play essential roles in the cell, they do not house the genetic material. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for energy production; ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, and the Golgi apparatus is responsible for processing and packaging proteins for transport.
Question 6 of 9
What type of joint is found in the elbow?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is a hinge joint. The elbow joint is a hinge joint that allows for flexion and extension movements, much like the movement of a door hinge. This type of joint permits movement in one plane, similar to the action of opening and closing a door. The other choices are incorrect: A) Ball and socket joints allow for a wide range of motion in multiple directions, such as the hip and shoulder joints. C) Pivot joints allow rotation around a single axis, like the joint at the top of the neck that allows the head to turn from side to side. D) Saddle joints are found in the thumb and have a biaxial range of motion allowing flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and circumduction.
Question 7 of 9
Which gland is responsible for regulating metabolism and calcium levels?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is the thyroid gland (Choice C). The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism by producing hormones like thyroxine, which control the body's metabolic rate. It also helps in controlling calcium levels in the blood through the release of calcitonin. The pituitary gland (Choice A) is known as the 'master gland' as it controls other glands but is not primarily responsible for regulating metabolism and calcium levels. The adrenal gland (Choice B) produces hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which are involved in the stress response and metabolism, but they do not specifically regulate calcium levels. The pineal gland (Choice D) mainly produces melatonin, a hormone that helps in regulating sleep-wake cycles and has no direct role in metabolism or calcium level regulation.
Question 8 of 9
Which part of the brain is responsible for controlling balance and coordination?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The cerebellum is the correct answer. It is responsible for controlling balance, coordination, and fine motor movements. The cerebrum is mainly associated with higher brain functions such as thinking and decision-making, not specifically balance and coordination. The brainstem is responsible for basic life functions like breathing and heartbeat, while the medulla oblongata is involved in regulating autonomic functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Therefore, the cerebellum stands out as the key brain region for maintaining physical control and movement.
Question 9 of 9
Which structure in the kidney filters blood?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is the Glomerulus. The glomerulus is a network of tiny blood vessels located within the Bowman's capsule. It acts as the initial filtering component in the nephron, filtering blood and allowing waste products and excess substances to pass through to form urine. Choice A, Nephron, is incorrect as the nephron is the structural and functional unit of the kidney composed of several parts, including the glomerulus. Choice C, Bowman's capsule, is where the glomerulus is located, but it is not the structure responsible for filtering blood. Choice D, Loop of Henle, plays a role in reabsorption of water and electrolytes but is not the primary structure for blood filtration in the kidney.