INTERACTIVE MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

Human Physiology
The answers are provided. Explanations of why the alternatives are unsatisfactory are also offered
D.G. Mackean

These multiple choice questions are similar to the ones set by the GCSE and IGCSE Examination Boards except that, in some cases, there may be more than one acceptable answer. For this reason, even if you select a correct answer at your first attempt, it is worth looking at all the alternatives (a) to see if there is a better answer and (b) to see why some of the alternatives are unacceptable

Question 1

Question 1
Iron is an important component of a balanced diet because it is needed mainly by (a) the blood

(b) the bones

(c) the brain (d) the nerves Question 2

Yes
Iron is an important component of haemoglobin, the red pigment which combines with oxygen in the red blood cells

No
Iron is not specifically needed by the bones

No
Iron is not specifically needed by the nerves

No
Iron is not specifically needed by the brain

Question 2
Shortage of vitamin D in the diet of children can lead to (a) poor night vision (b) anaemia (c) deformed bones (d) bleeding gums Question 3

No
It is shortage of vitamin A (retinol) which is a cause of poor night vision, as well as reduced resistance to disease

No
A shortage of iron can be one cause of anaemia

Yes
A shortage of vitamin D (calciferol) causes defective incorporation of calcium into the bones, which therefore remain soft and are easily deformed. This condition is known as rickets

No
A shortage of vitamin C (calciferol) can be one cause of bleeding gums

Question 3
The final digestion products of proteins are
(a) sugars

(b) glycerols
(c) fatty acids (d) amino acids Question 4

No
Sugars (e.g. glucose and fructose) are the final digestion products of carbohydrates, such as starch

No
Glycerol is one of the products of fat digestion

No
Fatty acids are one of the products of digestion of fats

Yes
The final digestion products of proteins are amino acids

Question 4
In the small intestine, the villi
(a) speed up digestion

(b) propel food through the intestine

(c) increase the absorptive surface

(d) secrete digestive enzymes

Question 5

No
The villi speed up absorption

No
Food is propelled through the alimentary canal by a muscular process called peristalsis

Yes
The numerous, finger-like processes called villi, greatly increase the absorptive surface of the small intestine

Section of small intestine opened to show villi

No
The villi contain enzymes but they do not secrete them into the intestine

Question 5
When the ventricles contract, blood is forced into (a) the aorta

(b) the vena cava

(c) the pulmonary artery and the aorta (d) the pulmonary artery Question 6

Yes but
Contraction of the left ventricle forces blood into the aorta, but the right ventricle is contracting at the same time

No
The vena cava brings blood to the right ventricle

Yes
Contraction of the left ventricle forces blood into the aorta. Contraction of the right ventricle forces blood into the pulmonary artery

Yes but
Contraction of the right ventricle forces blood into the pulmonary artery but remember that the left ventricle is also contracting.

Question 6
In the lungs, gaseous exchange takes place in (a) the alveoli

(b) the bronchioles

(c) the bronchi

(d) the trachea

Question 7

Yes

The alveoli are tiny air pockets at the ends of the bronchioles. Oxygen from the air diffuses into the blood capillaries in their walls and carbon dioxide diffuses out
trachea bronchiole alveoli

bronchi

lung

No
The bronchioles are the fine tubes which carry air to the alveoli but significant gaseous exchange does not take place here

No
The bronchi are the wide tubes which branch repeatedly to form the bronchioles. No significant gaseous exchange takes place here.

No
The trachea is the wide tube leading from the back of the mouth and dividing into bronchi. No significant gaseous exchange takes place here

Question 7
Which of the following are excretory organs?
(a) The lungs

(b) The skin

(c) The kidneys (d) The large intestine Question 8

Yes
The lungs excrete carbon dioxide which is a waste product of cellular respiration. They also expel water vapour some of which could be a waste product of respiration, but this is incidental to their main function and an inevitable consequence of the moist lining of the alveoli

No
Sweat, from the sweat glands in the skin, contains salt (sodium chloride) but this is incidental to the main function of sweat production (cooling the body). The sweat glands do not produce sweat in response to an increase in sodium chloride in the blood and are not, therefore, organs of excretion.
In fact, loss of salt which results from prolonged sweating can be harmful.

Yes
The kidneys excrete, urea, uric acid, excess salts and the breakdown products of hormones or drugs. These substances are all waste products of the bodys metabolism. The kidneys also excrete excess water, some of which has been produced in the process of respiration.

No
The contents of the large intestine are largely made up of undigested vegetable matter (fibre), bacteria and water.
These have not been incorporated into the body or taken part in chemical changes in the body so they are not excretory products. The process of expelling faeces is egestion, not excretion The break down products of bile pigments, which colour the faeces, are excretory products but are excreted by the liver

Question 8
oestrogen

follicle-stimulating hormone

progesterone

Days

The graphs represent the relative concentrations of 3 female hormones in the blood over a 28 day period. In which period is fertilisation (conception) most likely to occur?

(a) Days 1 - 5 (b) Days 10 -12

(c) Days 13-16

(d) Days 20 - 24 Question 9

No
This is the period when menstruation is taking place

No
Although the concentration of oestrogen is high, there is unlikely to be an ovum present in the oviduct at this stage

Yes
Follicle-stimulating hormone is one of the hormones that triggers the release of an ovum from the ovary (ovulation).
Assuming the ovum can survive for a day, and sperms can survive for 2 days this is the fertile period when conception is most likely

No
The ovum is unlikely to survive into this period. The increase in progesterone causes the lining of the uterus to thicken in preparation for the ovum, if it has been fertilised

Question 9
Which of the following are the likely effects of release of adrenaline from the adrenal gland into the bloodstream? (a) The rate and depth of breathing increases

(b) The liver converts glucose in the blood to glycogen

(c) The skeletal muscles relax

(d) The heart rate increases

Question 10

Yes
Adrenaline is the fight or flight hormone and prepares the body for action. An increase in the rate and depth of breathing gets more oxygen into the blood. This means that more prolonged activity can occur.

No
Adrenaline causes the liver to convert its glycogen store to glucose which is released into the bloodstream where it becomes available for rapid muscular contraction.

No
Adrenaline causes the muscles to tense up in preparation for flight or fight

Yes
An increased heart rate helps to supply extra oxygen and glucose to the muscles for their heightened activity during flight or fight

Question 10
Which of the following are reflex actions? (a) You jump in response to a sudden and unexpected loud noise (b) You automatically move the handlebars of your bicycle to steer or to keep your balance (c) You walk without thinking about it

(d) You blink when a particle of sand blows into your eye
Question 11

Yes
You have no control over whether you jump or not. This is a reflex action

No
Although this happens without your having to think about it, it is a learned reaction and not a reflex. An acquired skill is not a reflex

No
Although this happens without your having to think about it, it is a learned reaction and not a reflex. An acquired skill is not a reflex

Yes
You have no control over whether you blink or not

Question 11
The drawing represents the skeleton and muscles of the leg. When the leg straightens to thrust the body forwards, which of the following is the correct sequence? (a) A contracts, B relaxes, C relaxes, D contracts (b) B contracts, A relaxes, D contracts, C relaxes
D A

(c) A contracts, B relaxes, C contracts, D relaxes

(d) A contracts, B contracts, C relaxes, D relaxes Question 12

No
If D contracts, it flexes the foot at the ankle. The foot must be extended if it is to push the body forwards

No
If B contracts, it will flex (bend) the leg at the knee. This will not help to push the body forward
If D contracts, it flexes the foot at the ankle. The foot must be extended if it is to push the body forwards

Yes
A contracts and extends (straightens) the leg at the knee C contracts and extends (straightens) the foot at the ankle These two movements make the leg push against the ground and thrust the body upwards and forwards
B

relaxes

C contracts

A contracts D relaxes

B and D must be relaxed to allow their antagonistic muscles to contract

No
A and B are antagonistic muscles. If they both try to contract there will be no movement. However, the tension in both must be retained in order to hold the body upright in a standing position

If C and D both relax, there will be nothing to support the ankle and you will fall flat on your face

Question 12
Which of the following is the best definition of homeostasis in mammals? (a) Keeping the body temperature constant

(b) Maintaining a constant internal environment

(c) Getting rid of the waste products of metabolism as fast as they accumulate (d) Maintaining a constant body mass

No
Keeping the body temperature within limits is only one aspect of homeostasis

Yes
This is the best definition (provided you know what it means)

The internal environment refers mainly to the blood, lymph and tissue fluid. Homeostasis involves all the processes which keep the temperature and composition of these fluids within narrow limits The lungs control the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The kidneys eliminate excretory products and maintain the concentration.
The skin helps to regulate the temperature The liver controls the concentration of glucose And the brain, nervous system and endocrine system control them all

No
This is just one aspect of homeostasis. The kidneys get rid of the waste products of metabolism as fast as they accumulate and control the amount of water retained in the body

No
Even in a mature animal, the body mass will fluctuate with the seasons, the activity and the availability of food.
With an immature animal the body mass will increase

End of questions
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