Questions to accompany
Anatomy and Physiology
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUC TION
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Each question consists of a stem statement or question, and 5 options.
You must pick the one correct answer.
1. The sagittal plane divides the human 5. The largest hollow space in the human
body into: body is:
A. upper and lower portions A. the cranial cavity
B. left and right portions B. the pelvic cavity
C. superior and inferior portions C. the thoracic cavity
D. ventral and dorsal portions D. the abdominal cavity
E. thoracic and abdominal cavities E. the spinal cavity
2. The lungs are situated within which 6. Which part of the body begins the
body cavity? breakdown of foods and makes digestive
A. cranial juice that can kill most bacteria?
B. thoracic A. liver
C. abdominal B. heart
D. pelvic C. colon
E. spinal D. stomach
E. skin
3. Which plane divides the human body
into dorsal (back) and ventral (front) 7. The body system that provides an outer
or posterior and anterior planes? covering that protects the body from the
A. sagittal external environment is:
B. coronal A. respiratory
C. transverse B. urinary
D. horizontal C. cardiovascular
E. superior D. skin
E. reproductive
4. Which directional term means “towards the
middle” of the body? 8. Which body system provides the cells of the
A. lateral body with nutrients?
B. proximal A. respiratory
C. medial B. digestive
D. superior C. cardiovascular
E. inferior D. endocrine
E. urinary
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C H A P T E R 1 I N T R O D U C T I O N : Q U E S T I O NS AN D ANS W ER S, ANATO MY AN D PH YSI O LO GY
9. The fluid portion of blood is called: 11. The self-correcting process that helps to
A. interstitial fluid maintain stability and restore a homeostatic
B. tissue fluid set point is known as:
C. platelets A. negative feedback
D. intracellular fluid B. stimulus
E. plasma C. sensor
D. positive feedback
10. The varying conditions outside the human E. disease
body are sometimes referred to as:
A. internal environment 12. Which hormone helps to maintain glucose
B. external environment homeostasis by stimulating liver cells to take
C. homeostasis up and remove additional glucose?
D. disease A. insulin
E. set points B. glucagon
C. pancreas
D. response
E. starch
Critical thinking: ARQs (assertion reasoning questions)
These questions consist of two statements:
• an assertion, and
• a reason.
You must first determine whether each statement is TRUE or FALSE.
• If both statements are true, you must next determine whether the reason correctly explains the
assertion. The answer will be option 1 or option 2.
• If one statement is true and the other is false then the answer is option 3 or option 4, depending
on which of the statements is correct.
• If both statements are false, then the answer is option 5.
There is one option for each possible outcome.
Question 13
A = the Assertion R = the Reason
The concentration of glucose in blood varies Homeostasis of blood glucose levels is achieved
widely because of differences in the amount of through the activity of two pancreatic hormones,
carbohydrate eaten each day insulin and glucagon
Options
1) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3) A is true but R is false
4) A is false but R is true
5) Both A and R are false
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C H A P T E R 1 I N T R O D U C T I O N : Q U E S T I O NS AN D ANS W ER S, ANATO MY AN D PH YSI O LO GY
Question 14
A = the Assertion R = the Reason
The homeostatic control centre(s) in the human Any event that disturbs homeostasis is known as
body respond to stimulation by sensors and a stimulus and is detected by a sensor, which then
activate responses that involve effectors relays information to a homeostatic control centre
Options
1) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3) A is true but R is false
4) A is false but R is true
5) Both A and R are false
Question 15
A = the Assertion R = the Reason
The liver is the largest gland in the human body The liver produces bile for the digestion of fat
that has been ingested in the diet
Options
1) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3) A is true but R is false
4) A is false but R is true
5) Both A and R are false
Question 16
A = the Assertion R = the Reason
The systems of the body work independently A tissue is a tiny unit of living matter
Options
1) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3) A is true but R is false
4) A is false but R is true
5) Both A and R are false
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C H A P T E R 1 I N T R O D U C T I O N : Q U E S T I O NS AN D ANS W ER S, ANATO MY AN D PH YSI O LO GY
Question 17
A = the Assertion R = the Reason
Body temperature is an example of a parameter A cascade of biochemical events leads to clotting
that is maintained through homeostatic of blood and sealing of blood vessels
regulation
Options
1) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3) A is true but R is false
4) A is false but R is true
5) Both A and R are false
Putting it all together
Question 18
Human beings are mammals who are adapted to living on planet Earth. Explain how the external
environment differs from the internal environment of the body.
Question 19
Outline how the hormone oxytocin contributes to the birth of a baby. Why is this an example of positive
feedback?
Question 20
Refer to Fig. 1.4 in the book then create your own flow diagram or spider diagram that shows how the
various body systems work together to maintain steady (or fairly steady) and optimal conditions of the
internal environment that are necessary for survival and wellbeing.
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Answers to questions
Answers are supplied to most, but not all questions. Some may require you to carry out further
research using the book.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Each question consists of a stem statement or question, and 5 options. You must pick the one
correct answer.
1. The sagittal plane divides the human body 7. The body system that provides an outer
into: covering that protects the body from the
B. left and right portions external environment is:
D. skin
2. The lungs are situated within which body
cavity? 8. Which body system provides the cells of the
B. thoracic body with nutrients?
B. digestive
3. Which plane divides the human body into
dorsal (back) and ventral (front) or posterior 9. The fluid portion of blood is called:
and anterior planes? E. plasma
B. coronal
10. The varying conditions outside the human
4. Which directional term means “towards the body are sometimes referred to as:
middle” of the body? B. external environment
C. medial
11. The self-correcting process that helps to
5. The largest hollow space in the human maintain stability and restore a homeostatic
body is: set point is known as:
D. the abdominal cavity A. negative feedback
6. Which part of the body begins the 12. Which hormone helps to maintain glucose
breakdown of foods and makes digestive homeostasis by stimulating liver cells to
juice that can kill most bacteria? take up and remove additional glucose?
D. stomach A. insulin
Critical thinking: ARQs (assertion reasoning questions)
These questions consist of two statements:
• an assertion, and
• a reason.
You must first determine whether each statement is TRUE or FALSE.
• If both statements are true, you must next determine whether the reason correctly explains the
assertion.
The answer will be option 1 or option 2.
• If one statement is true and the other is false then the answer is option 3 or option 4, depending on
which of the statements is correct.
• If both statements are false, then the answer is option 5.
There is one option for each possible outcome.
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C H A P T E R 1 I N T R O D U C T I O N : Q U E S T I O NS AN D ANS W ER S, ANATO MY AN D PH YSI O LO GY
Question 13
A = the Assertion R = the Reason
The concentration of glucose in blood varies Homeostasis of blood glucose levels is achieved
widely because of differences in the amount of through the activity of two pancreatic hormones,
carbohydrate eaten each day insulin and glucagon
4. A is false but R is true
Explanation
Glucose is a carbohydrate and is a nutrient that is normally supplied through the diet; however, its level
in blood is maintained at a relatively stable level – within the physiological range – through homeostatic
mechanisms known as negative feedback regulation. Thus the Assertion (A) is FALSE.
The digestive system breaks down carbohydrates to simple sugars that can be absorbed into the
bloodstream in the intestine. The glucose may be used immediately or it can be stored in the liver as
glycogen or in adipose tissue as fat for future use. The process of homeostatic regulation depends on the
body’s needs and is under the control of two hormones, insulin and glucagon. Thus the Reason (R)
is TRUE.
Option 4 is the correct answer.
Question 14
A = the Assertion R = the Reason
The homeostatic control centre(s) in the human Any event that disturbs homeostasis is known as
body respond to stimulation by sensors and a stimulus and is detected by a sensor, which then
activate responses that involve effectors relays information to a homeostatic control centre
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
Explanation
Homeostasis is achieved through many regulatory mechanisms and all homeostatic control mechanisms
have at least three inter-dependent components for the variable(s) being regulated: a sensor that
monitors and responds to change(s), a control centre and an effector which is the target that is acted
upon. The Assertion (A) is TRUE.
In physiology, a stimulus is thought of as a detectable change in the internal or external environment
that triggers a response or a reaction. Sensory receptors – such as baroreceptors or the rods and cones
of the retina of the eye – are the sensors that can detect changes in physiological parameters. They
receive information about any change(s) that arise either inside or outside the human body so they are
the first component of homeostatic control systems and so the Reason (R) is TRUE. However, neither the
stimulus nor the sensor(s) directly activate the response.
Option 2 is the correct answer because R does not provide a complete explanation for A.
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C H A P T E R 1 I N T R O D U C T I O N : Q U E S T I O NS AN D ANS W ER S, ANATO MY AN D PH YSI O LO GY
Question 15
A = the Assertion R = the Reason
The liver is the largest gland in the human body The liver produces bile for the digestion of fat that
has been ingested in the diet
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
Explanation
The Assertion (A) is TRUE because the liver is the heaviest internal organ in the human body and is
classed as a gland. It is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and weighs 1.44–1.66 kg in
adults. The liver is a remarkable organ that carries out many crucial physiological functions including
regulation of glycogen, production of plasma proteins, decomposition of red blood cells and breakdown
of drugs and toxins. The liver is also able to completely regrow after physical damage, as long as
approximately 25% of the tissue remains.
The liver carries out very many physiological functions including the production of bile – a special
digestive juice that emulsifies fats. This process enables them to be digested and absorbed in the small
intestine. Thus the Reason (R) is TRUE.
However, the statements are not directly linked and so option 2 is the correct answer.
Question 16
A = the Assertion R = the Reason
The systems of the body work independently A tissue is a tiny unit of living matter
5. Both A and R are false
Explanation
The Assertion (A) is FALSE because every body system is composed of a group of organs each of which
contributes to homeostasis in its own specific way; they all contribute to maintaining life by working together.
The Reason (R) is FALSE because a tissue is defined as a group of cells that are specialised to perform a
particular function within the living body.
Option 5 is the correct answer.
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Question 17
A = the Assertion R = the Reason
Body temperature is an example of a parameter A cascade of biochemical events leads to clotting
that is maintained through homeostatic regulation of blood and sealing of blood vessels
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
Explanation
The Assertion (A) is TRUE.
The Reason (R) is TRUE.
However, temperature control – known as thermoregulation – and the clotting of blood (a process
known as haemostasis) are distinct physiological processes.
Thus option 2 is the best answer to choose.
Putting it all together
Question 18 Question 19
Human beings are mammals who are adapted to Outline how the hormone oxytocin contributes
living on planet Earth. Explain how the external to the birth of a baby. Why is this an example of
environment differs from the internal environment positive feedback?
of the body.
Labour is the process that leads to delivery of a
The term “external environment” refers to the baby.
ever-changing conditions outside the human
body, such as ambient temperature, time of day, Oxytocin is a hormone from the pituitary gland
altitude above sea level, food availability, clothing of the brain, the function of which is to make the
and family circumstances – all of which play a role muscle of the uterus contract.
in determining the health and wellbeing of the Input: the contractions press the unborn baby’s
individual. head against the cervix (neck of the womb), which
Physiologists and healthcare professionals use the in turn stimulates the release of more oxytocin
term “internal environment” to describe the fluid through positive feedback process that amplifies
contained within the body and found around cells the response.
of the human body. This fluid is called extracellular Output: the contractions dilate the cervix, enable
fluid or interstitial fluid, and its composition is the formation of the birth canal and then push the
maintained in a stable state through homeostasis. baby out into the world.
Substances are continually moved through the When the baby has been born, the input stimulus
extracellular fluid between plasma (of blood) to the pituitary gland is removed and secretion of
through the interstitial fluid to reach cells – which oxytocin reduces and eventually stops.
contain intracellular fluid. This transfer allows
fine adjustments to be achieved to maintain
homeostasis and enable cells to function normally.
