HESI A2
Anatomy HESI A2 Practice Test Questions
Question 1 of 9
Which part of the brain is involved in processing visual information?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Occipital lobe. The occipital lobe, situated at the back of the brain, is specifically responsible for processing visual information received from the eyes. It plays a crucial role in interpreting and making sense of visual stimuli, allowing individuals to perceive and comprehend the world around them. The Temporal lobe (Choice A) is involved in processing auditory information and memory, not visual processing. The Parietal lobe (Choice C) is responsible for processing sensory information from various parts of the body, but not specifically visual information. The Frontal lobe (Choice D) is involved in functions such as decision-making, problem-solving, and voluntary movement, but not processing visual stimuli.
Question 2 of 9
Which vitamin is essential for vision and skin health?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin A is the correct answer. It is crucial for maintaining healthy vision and skin. Vitamin A plays a vital role in supporting normal vision, skin health, and immune function. Specifically, it is important for the health of the retina and is essential for the formation of rhodopsin, a protein in the retina necessary for low-light and color vision. Vitamin C (Choice B) is important for collagen synthesis and immune function, but it is not primarily associated with vision health. Vitamin D (Choice C) is crucial for bone health and immune function, while Vitamin E (Choice D) acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage, but neither are primarily linked to vision and skin health like Vitamin A.
Question 3 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 4 of 9
What is the role of the mitochondria in the cell?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Energy production. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell because they generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through the process of cellular respiration. ATP is a molecule that stores and releases energy, providing the cell with the necessary energy for various activities and functions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Protein synthesis primarily occurs in the ribosomes, breaking down waste is mainly carried out by lysosomes, and cell division is orchestrated by the nucleus and other organelles like the centrioles.
Question 5 of 9
What is the primary role of the liver in the body?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Detoxifying harmful substances. While the liver does produce bile for digestion and stores nutrients like glycogen, its primary function is to filter and detoxify blood coming from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of the body. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Producing insulin is mainly done by the pancreas, digesting food is primarily the role of the stomach and intestines, and storing energy is a function of various organs like muscles and fat cells.
Question 6 of 9
Which of the following is not a principal organ of the nervous system?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The thymus is not a principal organ of the nervous system; it is part of the immune system. The brain, spinal cord, and ganglia are principal organs of the nervous system. The brain is responsible for processing information, the spinal cord helps transmit signals between the brain and the rest of the body, and ganglia are clusters of nerve cells that support the nervous system's functions. Therefore, the thymus is the correct answer as it is not directly involved in nervous system functions.
Question 7 of 9
Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating breathing and heart rate?
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.
Question 8 of 9
What is the primary function of platelets in the blood?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: To clot blood. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, have a primary function in blood clotting. They help in the process of coagulation, forming clots to prevent excessive bleeding when injuries occur. Platelets play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system by sealing off damaged blood vessels and promoting wound healing. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because platelets do not carry oxygen, fight infections, or transport nutrients in the blood.
Question 9 of 9
Which organ is responsible for the production of hormones during stress?
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.