A&P 102 FINAL EXAM: COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE IVY TECH COMMUNITY
COLLEGE LATEST
2025–2026
Unit 1: Endocrine System
Q1. Who regulates pituitary gland secretion?
A. Thalamus
B. Hypothalamus
C. Pineal Gland
D. Medulla Oblongata
Answer: B
Rationale: The hypothalamus is the master regulator of the endocrine system. It produces releasing and
inhibiting hormones that travel via the hypophyseal portal system to control the anterior pituitary
gland .
Q2. A patient has high blood glucose levels. Which hormone is likely deficient, and which hormone
might be elevated?
A. Deficient: Insulin; Elevated: Glucagon
B. Deficient: Glucagon; Elevated: Insulin
C. Deficient: Cortisol; Elevated: ADH
D. Deficient: Calcitonin; Elevated: PTH
Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin lowers blood glucose; a deficiency leads to hyperglycemia. Glucagon raises blood
glucose; if insulin is low, the body may over-secrete glucagon in an attempt to compensate .
Q3. Which of the following describes a steroid hormone mechanism of action?
A. Binding to surface receptors to activate second messengers (cAMP).
B. Diffusing through the cell membrane to bind with intracellular receptors and alter DNA transcription.
C. Opening ion channels directly upon binding.
D. Activating G-proteins to trigger a cascade.
Answer: B
Rationale: Steroid hormones (like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol) are lipid-soluble. They cross the
, plasma membrane, bind to internal receptors, and directly influence gene expression, which is a slower
but longer-lasting effect .
Q4. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and Oxytocin are produced in the hypothalamus but stored and
released from the:
A. Anterior pituitary
B. Thyroid gland
C. Posterior pituitary
D. Adrenal cortex
Answer: C
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores hormones synthesized in the hypothalamus. The anterior
pituitary produces its own hormones (like GH, TSH, FSH) .
Q5. Which hormone is released in response to low calcium levels in the blood?
A. Calcitonin
B. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
C. Thyroid Hormone (T3/T4)
D. Aldosterone
Answer: B
Rationale: PTH is released by the parathyroid glands to raise blood calcium levels by stimulating
osteoclasts (bone breakdown), increasing calcium absorption in the gut, and reducing calcium loss in
urine.
Unit 2: Blood & Cardiovascular System
Q6. Which layer of the heart is responsible for the powerful contractions that pump blood?
A. Endocardium
B. Epicardium
C. Myocardium
D. Pericardium
Answer: C
Rationale: The myocardium is the thick, muscular middle layer. The endocardium lines the chambers,
and the epicardium is the visceral layer of the serous pericardium .
Q7. Which blood type is known as the "universal recipient"?
A. O-
B. O+
C. AB+
D. AB-
Answer: C
STUDY GUIDE IVY TECH COMMUNITY
COLLEGE LATEST
2025–2026
Unit 1: Endocrine System
Q1. Who regulates pituitary gland secretion?
A. Thalamus
B. Hypothalamus
C. Pineal Gland
D. Medulla Oblongata
Answer: B
Rationale: The hypothalamus is the master regulator of the endocrine system. It produces releasing and
inhibiting hormones that travel via the hypophyseal portal system to control the anterior pituitary
gland .
Q2. A patient has high blood glucose levels. Which hormone is likely deficient, and which hormone
might be elevated?
A. Deficient: Insulin; Elevated: Glucagon
B. Deficient: Glucagon; Elevated: Insulin
C. Deficient: Cortisol; Elevated: ADH
D. Deficient: Calcitonin; Elevated: PTH
Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin lowers blood glucose; a deficiency leads to hyperglycemia. Glucagon raises blood
glucose; if insulin is low, the body may over-secrete glucagon in an attempt to compensate .
Q3. Which of the following describes a steroid hormone mechanism of action?
A. Binding to surface receptors to activate second messengers (cAMP).
B. Diffusing through the cell membrane to bind with intracellular receptors and alter DNA transcription.
C. Opening ion channels directly upon binding.
D. Activating G-proteins to trigger a cascade.
Answer: B
Rationale: Steroid hormones (like estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol) are lipid-soluble. They cross the
, plasma membrane, bind to internal receptors, and directly influence gene expression, which is a slower
but longer-lasting effect .
Q4. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and Oxytocin are produced in the hypothalamus but stored and
released from the:
A. Anterior pituitary
B. Thyroid gland
C. Posterior pituitary
D. Adrenal cortex
Answer: C
Rationale: The posterior pituitary stores hormones synthesized in the hypothalamus. The anterior
pituitary produces its own hormones (like GH, TSH, FSH) .
Q5. Which hormone is released in response to low calcium levels in the blood?
A. Calcitonin
B. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
C. Thyroid Hormone (T3/T4)
D. Aldosterone
Answer: B
Rationale: PTH is released by the parathyroid glands to raise blood calcium levels by stimulating
osteoclasts (bone breakdown), increasing calcium absorption in the gut, and reducing calcium loss in
urine.
Unit 2: Blood & Cardiovascular System
Q6. Which layer of the heart is responsible for the powerful contractions that pump blood?
A. Endocardium
B. Epicardium
C. Myocardium
D. Pericardium
Answer: C
Rationale: The myocardium is the thick, muscular middle layer. The endocardium lines the chambers,
and the epicardium is the visceral layer of the serous pericardium .
Q7. Which blood type is known as the "universal recipient"?
A. O-
B. O+
C. AB+
D. AB-
Answer: C
