CLEP Biology Vertebrate Organ Systems 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What happens to blood pressure when the kidneys release renin?
- Blood pressure decreases immediately
- Blood pressure increases through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (Correct answer)
- Blood pressure is unaffected
- Blood pressure fluctuates randomly
Correct answer: Blood pressure increases through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
Renin triggers the RAAS cascade, ultimately producing angiotensin II which causes vasoconstriction and aldosterone release, raising blood pressure.
Question 2: Which vertebrate organ is responsible for producing bile?
- Gallbladder
- Pancreas
- Liver (Correct answer)
- Small intestine
Correct answer: Liver
The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to emulsify fats.
Question 3: What is the function of the corpus luteum after ovulation?
- Producing follicle-stimulating hormone
- Secreting progesterone to maintain the uterine lining (Correct answer)
- Storing mature eggs
- Triggering ovulation in the next cycle
Correct answer: Secreting progesterone to maintain the uterine lining
After ovulation, the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone to prepare the uterus for implantation.
Question 4: In the vertebrate respiratory system, what is the function of surfactant?
- Filtering airborne particles
- Transporting oxygen in the blood
- Reducing surface tension in alveoli to prevent collapse (Correct answer)
- Stimulating breathing rhythm
Correct answer: Reducing surface tension in alveoli to prevent collapse
Surfactant, produced by type II alveolar cells, reduces surface tension within alveoli, preventing them from collapsing during exhalation.
Question 5: Which division of the autonomic nervous system slows heart rate and stimulates digestion?
- Somatic nervous system
- Sympathetic division
- Parasympathetic division (Correct answer)
- Sensory division
Correct answer: Parasympathetic division
The parasympathetic division promotes rest-and-digest responses, including slowing the heart and stimulating GI activity.
Question 6: What is the role of osteoclasts in bone tissue?
- Building new bone matrix
- Producing collagen fibers
- Breaking down and resorbing bone tissue (Correct answer)
- Supplying minerals to bone
Correct answer: Breaking down and resorbing bone tissue
Osteoclasts are large multinucleated cells that resorb bone by secreting acids and enzymes to break down bone matrix.
Question 7: Which part of the nephron is primarily responsible for the concentration of urine?
- Glomerulus
- Proximal convoluted tubule
- Loop of Henle (Correct answer)
- Bowman's capsule
Correct answer: Loop of Henle
The loop of Henle creates an osmotic gradient in the kidney medulla that allows the collecting duct to concentrate urine.
CLEP Biology Vertebrate Organ Systems 4
What happens to blood pressure when the kidneys release renin?