HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology Practice Questions
Practice questions can help you determine whether you can apply anatomy and physiology concepts—not merely recognize them in your notes. Answer the 10 questions below before reviewing the explanations.
HESI A2 Anatomy and Physiology Practice Test
- Which pigment helps protect epidermal cells from ultraviolet radiation?
- Sebum
- Keratin
- Melanin
- Collagen
- Which structure carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?
- Pulmonary artery
- Pulmonary vein
- Superior vena cava
- Aorta
- Which organ system uses hormones to regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction, and other body functions?
- Integumentary system
- Lymphatic system
- Endocrine system
- Respiratory system
- Which membrane surrounds the heart?
- Pleura
- Peritoneum
- Pericardium
- Endocardium
- Which part of the eye contains the photoreceptors that convert light into electrical signals?
- Lens
- Iris
- Retina
- Conjunctiva
- What is the primary effect of antidiuretic hormone?
- Increasing water reabsorption by the kidneys
- Lowering blood calcium
- Increasing blood glucose
- Stimulating thyroid hormone release
- Which component of whole blood is not a formed element?
- Erythrocytes
- Leukocytes
- Platelets
- Plasma
- Which division of the nervous system supports the “fight-or-flight” response?
- Somatic nervous system
- Sympathetic nervous system
- Parasympathetic nervous system
- Central nervous system
- Which type of muscle tissue is found in the walls of hollow organs such as the intestines?
- Skeletal muscle
- Cardiac muscle
- Smooth muscle
- Voluntary muscle
- Which process produces haploid gametes?
- Mitosis
- Meiosis
- Transcription
- Translation
How to use your results
* See results below
Do more than count correct answers. Group missed questions by body system and identify the knowledge gap behind each error.
- Did you confuse two structures?
- Did you know the structure but not its function?
- Did you overlook a word such as not, primary, or most?
- Could you explain the correct answer without looking at your notes?
Review weak topics and answer new questions later. Spacing this practice over time helps retention more than repeating the same questions immediately.
Practice for the HESI Admission Assessment with Pocket Prep. Build customized quizzes and learn from detailed explanations for every answer option.
Answers and explanations
- C. Melanin. Melanin absorbs and disperses ultraviolet radiation, helping protect epidermal cells. Sebum lubricates the skin, keratin contributes strength and water resistance, and collagen provides structural support in connective tissue.
- B. Pulmonary vein. Pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
- C. Endocrine system. Endocrine glands release hormones that regulate processes such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, and fluid balance.
- C. Pericardium. The pericardium is the membrane surrounding the heart. The pleura surrounds the lungs, and the peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity and covers many abdominal organs.
- C. Retina. Rods and cones in the retina respond to light and convert it into electrical signals. The lens focuses light, while the iris regulates how much light enters through the pupil.
- A. Increasing water reabsorption by the kidneys. Antidiuretic hormone helps conserve body water by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys.
- D. Plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. Erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets are formed elements suspended within it.
- B. Sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic division prepares the body for action. The parasympathetic division supports rest and digestion.
- C. Smooth muscle. Smooth muscle is involuntary tissue found in structures such as the intestines, bladder, uterus, and blood vessels.
- B. Meiosis. Meiosis halves the chromosome number and produces haploid gametes. Mitosis produces genetically similar somatic daughter cells.
