Anatomy and Physiology Basics Flashcards

Which organ is primarily responsible for filtering blood and producing urine in the human body?

Answer: Kidney

The kidneys filter blood to remove waste products and excess fluids, producing urine as a byproduct of this filtration process.

What is the primary function of hemoglobin in red blood cells?

Answer: Transporting oxygen

Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen in the lungs and transports it to tissues throughout the body.

The sinoatrial (SA) node is located in which chamber of the heart?

Answer: Right atrium

The SA node, often called the heart's natural pacemaker, is located in the upper wall of the right atrium near the superior vena cava opening.

Which type of muscle tissue is found exclusively in the walls of the heart?

Answer: Cardiac muscle

Cardiac muscle (myocardium) is a unique type of striated muscle found only in the heart, capable of involuntary rhythmic contractions.

What is the normal range for adult resting respiratory rate in breaths per minute?

Answer: 12-20

The normal adult resting respiratory rate is 12-20 breaths per minute, which is a vital sign commonly monitored by patient monitoring equipment.

Which part of the nervous system controls involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion?

Answer: Autonomic nervous system

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls involuntary body functions including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and respiratory rate.

What is the primary function of the alveoli in the lungs?

Answer: Gas exchange between air and blood

Alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between inhaled air and pulmonary capillary blood occurs.

Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?

Answer: Pulmonary artery

The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange.

The pancreas serves both endocrine and exocrine functions. Which hormone does it produce to lower blood glucose?

Answer: Insulin

Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas and acts to lower blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake of glucose.

What is the normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult?

Answer: 60-100 bpm

A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute, a fundamental parameter monitored by cardiac equipment.

Which structure in the brain is responsible for regulating body temperature, hunger, and thirst?

Answer: Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a small region at the base of the brain that regulates many homeostatic functions including body temperature, hunger, thirst, and circadian rhythms.

Which type of joint allows the greatest range of motion in the human body?

Answer: Ball-and-socket joint

Ball-and-socket joints, such as the hip and shoulder, allow movement in all directions including rotation, providing the greatest range of motion.

Which layer of the skin contains melanocytes responsible for skin pigmentation?

Answer: Stratum basale

Melanocytes are located in the stratum basale (deepest layer of the epidermis) and produce melanin pigment.

A biomedical technician is calibrating a pulse oximeter. Which physiological principle does this device rely on?

Answer: Differential light absorption of oxygenated vs. deoxygenated hemoglobin

Pulse oximeters use the fact that oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin absorb red and infrared light at different ratios to calculate SpO2.

The Frank-Starling law of the heart states that cardiac output increases when:

Answer: Ventricular filling volume (preload) increases

The Frank-Starling mechanism describes how increased end-diastolic volume stretches myocardial fibers, resulting in a stronger contraction and greater stroke volume.

Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for carrying parasympathetic fibers to the heart and abdominal organs?

Answer: Vagus nerve (CN X)

The vagus nerve (CN X) provides the major parasympathetic innervation to the heart, lungs, and most abdominal organs.

In the context of EEG monitoring, which brain wave frequency is associated with deep, dreamless sleep?

Answer: Delta waves (0.5–4 Hz)

Delta waves have the lowest frequency and highest amplitude and predominate during deep (stage 3–4) non-REM sleep.

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is clinically important because it measures:

Answer: How effectively the kidneys filter blood plasma per unit time

GFR reflects the volume of plasma filtered by the glomeruli per minute and is the gold standard indicator of kidney function.

Which type of muscle tissue is characterized by involuntary control, striated appearance, and intercalated discs?

Answer: Cardiac muscle

Cardiac muscle is involuntary, striated, and connected by intercalated discs that allow synchronized contraction via gap junctions.