HESI A2 Anatomy & Physiology | 2026
Exam must know Q&A
100+ Verified Questions with Rationales
I
Topic 1: Basic Terminology, Cells, and Tissues (Questions 1-15)
1. Which of the following best describes the anatomical position?
A. Standing upright, facing the observer, arms at sides, palms facing posteriorly.
B. Lying face up, arms at sides, palms facing anteriorly.
C. Standing upright, facing the observer, arms at sides, palms facing anteriorly.
D. Standing upright, facing away from the observer, arms at sides, palms facing
anteriorly.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The anatomical position is a standardized reference point. It requires
the person to be standing upright, facing forward (the observer), with arms at the
sides and palms facing forward (anteriorly). This ensures directional terms like
anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral are unambiguous .
2. The process that moves a substance against its concentration gradient,
requiring energy, is called:
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
,C. Facilitated diffusion
D. Active transport
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Active transport requires cellular energy (ATP) to move molecules from
an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. Diffusion, osmosis,
and facilitated diffusion are all passive processes that do not require energy .
3. Which organelle is known as the "powerhouse" of the cell due to its role in
ATP production?
A. Nucleus
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mitochondria are the sites of cellular respiration, where nutrients are
converted into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main energy currency of the
cell .
4. Tissue examined under a microscope reveals cells on the internal surface of
the stomach, no extracellular matrix, tall thin cells, and no blood vessels. What
type of tissue is this?
A. Connective
B. Muscle
C. Nervous
D. Epithelial
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: These are key characteristics of epithelial tissue. It lines internal and
external surfaces, is avascular (no blood vessels), and rests on a basement
membrane. The tall, thin cells specifically describe simple columnar epithelium .
5. What is the primary function of ribosomes?
A. Lipid synthesis
B. Protein synthesis
C. DNA replication
D. ATP production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ribosomes, whether free-floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the
rough endoplasmic reticulum, are the sites where messenger RNA (mRNA) is
translated to build proteins .
6. Which type of tissue serves as the framework of the body, providing support
and structure for organs?
A. Epithelial tissue
B. Connective tissue
C. Muscle tissue
D. Nervous tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Connective tissue is characterized by having an extracellular matrix
that provides support and structure. This category includes bone, cartilage,
tendons, ligaments, and blood .
, 7. The dorsal cavity contains which of the following structures?
A. Heart and lungs
B. Digestive organs
C. Brain and spinal cord
D. Reproductive organs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsal (posterior) body cavity is subdivided into the cranial cavity
(housing the brain) and the vertebral/spinal cavity (housing the spinal cord). The
ventral cavity contains the thoracic and abdominopelvic organs .
8. The primary mechanism for maintaining a stable body temperature involves:
A. Shivering and hormone secretion
B. Vasoconstriction and vasodilation
C. Increased urine production
D. Changes in metabolic rate only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While several factors contribute, the primary immediate mechanism
for thermoregulation is the adjustment of blood flow to the skin. Vasodilation
releases heat, and vasoconstriction conserves heat .
9. Which type of epithelial tissue is specialized to stretch and is found in the
urinary bladder?
A. Simple squamous
B. Stratified squamous
C. Transitional
D. Pseudostratified columnar
Exam must know Q&A
100+ Verified Questions with Rationales
I
Topic 1: Basic Terminology, Cells, and Tissues (Questions 1-15)
1. Which of the following best describes the anatomical position?
A. Standing upright, facing the observer, arms at sides, palms facing posteriorly.
B. Lying face up, arms at sides, palms facing anteriorly.
C. Standing upright, facing the observer, arms at sides, palms facing anteriorly.
D. Standing upright, facing away from the observer, arms at sides, palms facing
anteriorly.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The anatomical position is a standardized reference point. It requires
the person to be standing upright, facing forward (the observer), with arms at the
sides and palms facing forward (anteriorly). This ensures directional terms like
anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral are unambiguous .
2. The process that moves a substance against its concentration gradient,
requiring energy, is called:
A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
,C. Facilitated diffusion
D. Active transport
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Active transport requires cellular energy (ATP) to move molecules from
an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration. Diffusion, osmosis,
and facilitated diffusion are all passive processes that do not require energy .
3. Which organelle is known as the "powerhouse" of the cell due to its role in
ATP production?
A. Nucleus
B. Ribosome
C. Mitochondrion
D. Golgi apparatus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mitochondria are the sites of cellular respiration, where nutrients are
converted into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main energy currency of the
cell .
4. Tissue examined under a microscope reveals cells on the internal surface of
the stomach, no extracellular matrix, tall thin cells, and no blood vessels. What
type of tissue is this?
A. Connective
B. Muscle
C. Nervous
D. Epithelial
,Correct Answer: D
Rationale: These are key characteristics of epithelial tissue. It lines internal and
external surfaces, is avascular (no blood vessels), and rests on a basement
membrane. The tall, thin cells specifically describe simple columnar epithelium .
5. What is the primary function of ribosomes?
A. Lipid synthesis
B. Protein synthesis
C. DNA replication
D. ATP production
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ribosomes, whether free-floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the
rough endoplasmic reticulum, are the sites where messenger RNA (mRNA) is
translated to build proteins .
6. Which type of tissue serves as the framework of the body, providing support
and structure for organs?
A. Epithelial tissue
B. Connective tissue
C. Muscle tissue
D. Nervous tissue
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Connective tissue is characterized by having an extracellular matrix
that provides support and structure. This category includes bone, cartilage,
tendons, ligaments, and blood .
, 7. The dorsal cavity contains which of the following structures?
A. Heart and lungs
B. Digestive organs
C. Brain and spinal cord
D. Reproductive organs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dorsal (posterior) body cavity is subdivided into the cranial cavity
(housing the brain) and the vertebral/spinal cavity (housing the spinal cord). The
ventral cavity contains the thoracic and abdominopelvic organs .
8. The primary mechanism for maintaining a stable body temperature involves:
A. Shivering and hormone secretion
B. Vasoconstriction and vasodilation
C. Increased urine production
D. Changes in metabolic rate only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: While several factors contribute, the primary immediate mechanism
for thermoregulation is the adjustment of blood flow to the skin. Vasodilation
releases heat, and vasoconstriction conserves heat .
9. Which type of epithelial tissue is specialized to stretch and is found in the
urinary bladder?
A. Simple squamous
B. Stratified squamous
C. Transitional
D. Pseudostratified columnar
