NCMA Anatomy and Physiology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?
- Fight infection
- Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide (Correct answer)
- Aid in blood clotting
- Produce antibodies
Correct answer: Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which binds oxygen in the lungs and transports it to body tissues, while also carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
Question 2: Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for balance, posture, and coordination of voluntary movements?
- Cerebrum
- Medulla oblongata
- Cerebellum (Correct answer)
- Hypothalamus
Correct answer: Cerebellum
The cerebellum, located at the posterior base of the brain, coordinates voluntary movements, maintains balance, and regulates muscle tone.
Question 3: Which of the following is a primary function of the liver?
- Produces insulin
- Detoxifies blood and metabolizes drugs (Correct answer)
- Produces red blood cells in adults
- Regulates heart rate
Correct answer: Detoxifies blood and metabolizes drugs
The liver detoxifies the blood by filtering and metabolizing drugs, alcohol, and other toxins, and also produces bile for fat digestion.
Question 4: Which body system is responsible for transporting lymph fluid and plays a central role in immune defense?
- Cardiovascular system
- Endocrine system
- Lymphatic system (Correct answer)
- Digestive system
Correct answer: Lymphatic system
The lymphatic system collects and filters lymph fluid, houses immune cells, and returns fluid to the bloodstream while defending against pathogens.
Question 5: What type of muscle tissue lines the walls of the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels?
- Skeletal muscle
- Cardiac muscle
- Smooth muscle (Correct answer)
- Striated voluntary muscle
Correct answer: Smooth muscle
Smooth muscle is involuntary, non-striated muscle found in the walls of hollow visceral organs such as the intestines, stomach, and blood vessels.
Question 6: Which hormone, produced by the thyroid gland, primarily regulates metabolic rate?
- Cortisol
- Thyroxine (T4) (Correct answer)
- Epinephrine
- Glucagon
Correct answer: Thyroxine (T4)
Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are produced by the thyroid gland and regulate metabolism, energy production, and growth.
Question 7: The nephron is best defined as:
- The outer layer of the kidney
- The basic structural and functional unit of the kidney (Correct answer)
- A duct that carries urine to the bladder
- The blood vessel supplying the kidney
Correct answer: The basic structural and functional unit of the kidney
The nephron is the microscopic functional unit of the kidney that filters blood, reabsorbs nutrients, and produces urine.
NCMA Anatomy and Physiology 2
What is the primary function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?