PSB-PN Anatomy & Physiology — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organ is considered the largest organ of the human body?
- Liver
- Skin (Correct answer)
- Brain
- Heart
Correct answer: Skin
The skin is the largest organ, covering the entire external surface of the body and accounting for about 16% of total body weight.
Question 2: What is the normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult?
- 40–60 beats per minute
- 60–100 beats per minute (Correct answer)
- 100–120 beats per minute
- 120–150 beats per minute
Correct answer: 60–100 beats per minute
A normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 beats per minute; rates outside this range may indicate bradycardia or tachycardia.
Question 3: Which blood type is known as the universal donor for red blood cell transfusions?
- A positive
- B negative
- O negative (Correct answer)
- AB positive
Correct answer: O negative
Type O negative blood lacks A, B, and Rh antigens, making it compatible with all blood types and safe for emergency transfusions.
Question 4: The epiglottis serves which primary function during swallowing?
- Produces saliva to begin digestion
- Covers the trachea to prevent aspiration (Correct answer)
- Moves food into the esophagus by peristalsis
- Filters air entering the nasal passage
Correct answer: Covers the trachea to prevent aspiration
The epiglottis is a cartilaginous flap that folds over the trachea during swallowing to prevent food and liquid from entering the airway.
Question 5: How many chambers does the human heart have?
- Two
- Three
- Four (Correct answer)
- Six
Correct answer: Four
The heart has four chambers: the right atrium and right ventricle (pulmonary circuit) and the left atrium and left ventricle (systemic circuit).
Question 6: Which process describes how cells produce identical daughter cells for growth and tissue repair?
- Meiosis
- Mitosis (Correct answer)
- Osmosis
- Diffusion
Correct answer: Mitosis
Mitosis produces two genetically identical daughter cells and is the basis of growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in somatic cells.
Question 7: What is the normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest?
- 8–10 breaths per minute
- 12–20 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- 24–30 breaths per minute
- 30–40 breaths per minute
Correct answer: 12–20 breaths per minute
A normal adult respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute; rates above 20 may indicate tachypnea, while below 12 may indicate bradypnea.
Question 8: Which organ's primary role is to filter blood, remove waste, and produce urine?
- Liver
- Spleen
- Kidney (Correct answer)
- Pancreas
Correct answer: Kidney
The kidneys filter approximately 180 liters of blood per day, regulating fluid balance, electrolytes, and acid-base status while excreting waste as urine.
Question 9: The femur bone is located in which region of the body?
- Upper arm
- Forearm
- Upper leg (thigh) (Correct answer)
- Lower leg
Correct answer: Upper leg (thigh)
The femur is the thigh bone, connecting the hip at the acetabulum to the knee joint, and is the longest and strongest bone in the body.
Question 10: Which vitamin is synthesized in the skin primarily through exposure to sunlight?
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Vitamin D
UVB radiation from sunlight converts 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin to Vitamin D3, which is essential for calcium absorption and bone health.
Question 11: What is the accepted normal blood pressure reading for a healthy adult?
- 90/60 mmHg
- 120/80 mmHg (Correct answer)
- 140/90 mmHg
- 160/100 mmHg
Correct answer: 120/80 mmHg
120/80 mmHg is the standard reference for normal blood pressure; readings at or above 130/80 mmHg are now classified as hypertension Stage 1 per current guidelines.
Question 12: Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for coordinating balance and fine motor movements?
- Cerebrum
- Cerebellum (Correct answer)
- Medulla oblongata
- Thalamus
Correct answer: Cerebellum
The cerebellum, located at the posterior of the brain, integrates sensory input to fine-tune voluntary movements and maintain posture and balance.
Question 13: Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are produced in which location in healthy adults?
- Spleen
- Liver
- Lymph nodes
- Red bone marrow (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Red bone marrow
In adults, red blood cells are manufactured through erythropoiesis in red bone marrow, primarily found in flat bones such as the sternum, vertebrae, and iliac crest.
Question 14: What is the normal oral body temperature for an adult in degrees Fahrenheit?
- 96.8°F
- 98.6°F (Correct answer)
- 100.4°F
- 102.2°F
Correct answer: 98.6°F
98.6°F (37°C) is the widely accepted normal oral body temperature for adults; a reading at or above 100.4°F (38°C) typically indicates a fever.
Question 15: Which body system is primarily responsible for defending the body against pathogens and foreign substances?
- Endocrine system
- Immune system (Correct answer)
- Digestive system
- Nervous system
Correct answer: Immune system
The immune system, through white blood cells, antibodies, and lymphatic tissues, identifies and destroys pathogens, foreign cells, and abnormal cells.
Question 16: The trachea is a component of which body system?
- Digestive system
- Circulatory system
- Respiratory system (Correct answer)
- Nervous system
Correct answer: Respiratory system
The trachea (windpipe) is a cartilaginous tube in the respiratory system that conducts air from the larynx to the bronchi and into the lungs.
Question 17: Insulin, which regulates blood glucose levels, is secreted by which organ?
- Liver
- Adrenal gland
- Thyroid gland
- Pancreas (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Pancreas
Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans within the pancreas and facilitates cellular uptake of glucose to lower blood sugar.
Question 18: How many bones does the average adult human skeleton contain?
- 186
- 206 (Correct answer)
- 226
- 246
Correct answer: 206
The adult human skeleton consists of 206 bones; infants begin with about 270–300 bones, many of which fuse together during childhood and adolescence.
Question 19: Which type of muscle tissue is found exclusively in the heart?
- Skeletal muscle
- Smooth muscle
- Cardiac muscle (Correct answer)
- Voluntary striated muscle
Correct answer: Cardiac muscle
Cardiac muscle is involuntary, striated muscle found only in the myocardium; it contracts rhythmically and continuously without fatigue under normal conditions.
Question 20: What is the normal pH range of human arterial blood?
- 6.80–7.00
- 7.00–7.20
- 7.35–7.45 (Correct answer)
- 7.50–7.80
Correct answer: 7.35–7.45
Normal arterial blood pH is 7.35–7.45; values below 7.35 indicate acidosis and values above 7.45 indicate alkalosis, both of which are life-threatening if severe.
Question 21: Oxygen is transported through the bloodstream primarily by which component?
- White blood cells
- Platelets
- Blood plasma
- Hemoglobin in red blood cells (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Hemoglobin in red blood cells
Hemoglobin, the iron-containing protein inside red blood cells, binds oxygen in the lungs and releases it to tissues throughout the body.
