BIOS252 Anatomy & Physiology II Study Guide 2026 |
Complete BIOS 252 Exam Prep, Human Body Systems
Notes, Practice Questions & Answers, Quizzes, Case Studies,
and Proven Strategies to Pass A&P II with Confidence
Question 1: Which hormone is primarily responsible for lowering blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas and facilitates the uptake of
glucose into cells, thereby reducing blood glucose concentration.
Question 2: What is the primary function of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4)?
A. Regulate calcium levels
B. Increase metabolic rate
C. Stimulate milk production
D. Control water balance
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Increase metabolic rate
Rationale: Thyroxine increases the basal metabolic rate, affecting growth, development, and
energy expenditure in most body tissues.
Question 3: Which gland is known as the "master gland" of the endocrine system?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Adrenal gland
C. Pituitary gland
D. Pineal gland
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland secretes hormones that regulate the functions of many other
endocrine glands throughout the body.
Question 4: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) acts primarily on which target organs?
A. Liver and spleen
B. Bones and kidneys
C. Heart and lungs
D. Stomach and intestines
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bones and kidneys
Rationale: PTH increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption and increasing
calcium reabsorption in the kidneys.
Question 5: Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary and stimulates uterine
contractions?
A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Oxytocin
,Rationale: Oxytocin is synthesized in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary
to stimulate uterine contractions during labor.
Question 6: What is the primary effect of aldosterone on the kidneys?
A. Excrete sodium and retain potassium
B. Retain sodium and excrete potassium
C. Excrete both sodium and potassium
D. Retain both sodium and potassium
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Retain sodium and excrete potassium
Rationale: Aldosterone acts on the distal tubules and collecting ducts to increase sodium
reabsorption and potassium excretion.
Question 7: Which cell type in the pancreas produces glucagon?
A. Beta cells
B. Alpha cells
C. Delta cells
D. Acinar cells
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Alpha cells
Rationale: Alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans secrete glucagon, which raises blood glucose
levels by promoting glycogenolysis.
Question 8: The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary via:
A. Direct neural stimulation
B. Releasing and inhibiting hormones
C. Blood pressure changes
D. Electrical impulses only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Releasing and inhibiting hormones
Rationale: The hypothalamus secretes regulatory hormones into the hypophyseal portal system
to control anterior pituitary secretion.
Question 9: Which hormone is involved in the body's response to stress and increases blood
sugar?
A. Insulin
B. Cortisol
C. Calcitonin
D. Melatonin
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Cortisol
Rationale: Cortisol is a glucocorticoid released by the adrenal cortex that increases blood
glucose and suppresses the immune system during stress.
Question 10: What condition results from excessive secretion of growth hormone in adults?
A. Dwarfism
B. Gigantism
C. Acromegaly
D. Cretinism
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Acromegaly
, Rationale: Acromegaly occurs when excess growth hormone is produced after epiphyseal plates
have closed, causing bone thickening.
Question 11: Which blood component is primarily responsible for oxygen transport?
A. Leukocytes
B. Platelets
C. Erythrocytes
D. Plasma
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Erythrocytes
Rationale: Erythrocytes (red blood cells) contain hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen for
transport throughout the body.
Question 12: What is the normal pH range of human arterial blood?
A. 6.8 – 7.2
B. 7.35 – 7.45
C. 7.5 – 7.8
D. 6.5 – 6.9
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 7.35 – 7.45
Rationale: Human blood is slightly alkaline, and homeostatic mechanisms maintain pH within
the narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45.
Question 13: Which protein is essential for blood clotting?
A. Albumin
B. Fibrinogen
C. Globulin
D. Hemoglobin
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Fibrinogen
Rationale: Fibrinogen is converted into fibrin during the coagulation cascade to form a blood
clot.
Question 14: What is the primary function of platelets?
A. Oxygen transport
B. Immune defense
C. Hemostasis
D. Hormone transport
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Hemostasis
Rationale: Platelets aggregate at sites of vessel injury to form a plug and initiate the coagulation
process.
Question 15: Which blood type is considered the universal donor for red blood cells?
A. Type A
B. Type B
C. Type AB
D. Type O negative
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Type O negative
Rationale: Type O negative blood lacks A, B, and Rh antigens, minimizing the risk of immune
reaction in recipients.
Complete BIOS 252 Exam Prep, Human Body Systems
Notes, Practice Questions & Answers, Quizzes, Case Studies,
and Proven Strategies to Pass A&P II with Confidence
Question 1: Which hormone is primarily responsible for lowering blood glucose levels?
A. Glucagon
B. Cortisol
C. Insulin
D. Epinephrine
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Insulin
Rationale: Insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas and facilitates the uptake of
glucose into cells, thereby reducing blood glucose concentration.
Question 2: What is the primary function of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4)?
A. Regulate calcium levels
B. Increase metabolic rate
C. Stimulate milk production
D. Control water balance
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Increase metabolic rate
Rationale: Thyroxine increases the basal metabolic rate, affecting growth, development, and
energy expenditure in most body tissues.
Question 3: Which gland is known as the "master gland" of the endocrine system?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Adrenal gland
C. Pituitary gland
D. Pineal gland
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Pituitary gland
Rationale: The pituitary gland secretes hormones that regulate the functions of many other
endocrine glands throughout the body.
Question 4: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) acts primarily on which target organs?
A. Liver and spleen
B. Bones and kidneys
C. Heart and lungs
D. Stomach and intestines
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Bones and kidneys
Rationale: PTH increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption and increasing
calcium reabsorption in the kidneys.
Question 5: Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary and stimulates uterine
contractions?
A. Oxytocin
B. Prolactin
C. Estrogen
D. Progesterone
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Oxytocin
,Rationale: Oxytocin is synthesized in the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary
to stimulate uterine contractions during labor.
Question 6: What is the primary effect of aldosterone on the kidneys?
A. Excrete sodium and retain potassium
B. Retain sodium and excrete potassium
C. Excrete both sodium and potassium
D. Retain both sodium and potassium
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Retain sodium and excrete potassium
Rationale: Aldosterone acts on the distal tubules and collecting ducts to increase sodium
reabsorption and potassium excretion.
Question 7: Which cell type in the pancreas produces glucagon?
A. Beta cells
B. Alpha cells
C. Delta cells
D. Acinar cells
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Alpha cells
Rationale: Alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans secrete glucagon, which raises blood glucose
levels by promoting glycogenolysis.
Question 8: The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary via:
A. Direct neural stimulation
B. Releasing and inhibiting hormones
C. Blood pressure changes
D. Electrical impulses only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Releasing and inhibiting hormones
Rationale: The hypothalamus secretes regulatory hormones into the hypophyseal portal system
to control anterior pituitary secretion.
Question 9: Which hormone is involved in the body's response to stress and increases blood
sugar?
A. Insulin
B. Cortisol
C. Calcitonin
D. Melatonin
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Cortisol
Rationale: Cortisol is a glucocorticoid released by the adrenal cortex that increases blood
glucose and suppresses the immune system during stress.
Question 10: What condition results from excessive secretion of growth hormone in adults?
A. Dwarfism
B. Gigantism
C. Acromegaly
D. Cretinism
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Acromegaly
, Rationale: Acromegaly occurs when excess growth hormone is produced after epiphyseal plates
have closed, causing bone thickening.
Question 11: Which blood component is primarily responsible for oxygen transport?
A. Leukocytes
B. Platelets
C. Erythrocytes
D. Plasma
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Erythrocytes
Rationale: Erythrocytes (red blood cells) contain hemoglobin, which binds to oxygen for
transport throughout the body.
Question 12: What is the normal pH range of human arterial blood?
A. 6.8 – 7.2
B. 7.35 – 7.45
C. 7.5 – 7.8
D. 6.5 – 6.9
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 7.35 – 7.45
Rationale: Human blood is slightly alkaline, and homeostatic mechanisms maintain pH within
the narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45.
Question 13: Which protein is essential for blood clotting?
A. Albumin
B. Fibrinogen
C. Globulin
D. Hemoglobin
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Fibrinogen
Rationale: Fibrinogen is converted into fibrin during the coagulation cascade to form a blood
clot.
Question 14: What is the primary function of platelets?
A. Oxygen transport
B. Immune defense
C. Hemostasis
D. Hormone transport
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Hemostasis
Rationale: Platelets aggregate at sites of vessel injury to form a plug and initiate the coagulation
process.
Question 15: Which blood type is considered the universal donor for red blood cells?
A. Type A
B. Type B
C. Type AB
D. Type O negative
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Type O negative
Rationale: Type O negative blood lacks A, B, and Rh antigens, minimizing the risk of immune
reaction in recipients.
