Question 1

The term _________________ refers to the contraction of smooth muscle in the digestive system that moves food along the GI tract.

Accepted Answer

Peristalsis is the contraction of smooth muscle that lines the esophageal walls. The smooth muscle has a circular layer as well as a longitudinal layer of muscle that allows a "wringing" action of the smooth muscle to push food down the esophagus.
Vasoconstriction refers to the constriction of blood vessels and is not directly related to digestive function.
Segmentation is the muscular contraction of the smooth muscle layers of the  stomach that moves food around to ensure its interaction with digestive juices.
Retroperistalsis is the countermovement to peristalsis where the smooth muscle contracts pushing esophageal contents back towards the mouth. This usually occurs just prior to vomiting.

Question 2

Which of the following is not typically a result of an embolus?

Accepted Answer

An embolus is a blood clot that often forms in the lower extremities and travels to another location.This can be lodged in the heart causing a myocardial infarction; in the brain, a TIA (transient ischemic attack), sometimes called a mini-stroke can occur; and in the lungs, a pulmonary embolism can prevent blood flow and breathing.
Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in the arteries and is not caused by an embolus. However, plaque from atherosclerosis could potentially cause an embolism.

Question 3

Which of the following describes what would happen during a period of hyperventilation?

Accepted Answer

Hyperventilation is the increase in breathing rate beyond the normal rate. When this happens, more carbon dioxide than needed is exhaled lowering the carbon dioxide levels in the blood. As a compensatory mechanism to increase carbon dioxide levels, hydrogen ions are used, creating more bicarbonate as a byproduct and increasing the pH.

Question 4

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers, for example 110/70. The top number (110) represents ___________ blood pressure which is ____________________________.

Accepted Answer

One cardiac cycle consists of one period of diastole, and one period of systole. During diastole, the heart relaxes allowing the chambers to fill with blood. During systole, a large portion of that blood is pumped out of the ventricle. During periods of rest, diastole is usually longer than systole to allow more time for filling.
In a blood pressure recording the top number represents systole, while the bottom number represents diastole.

Question 5

The _________________ carries oxygen depleted blood away from the heart, while the ________________ carries oxygen-rich blood back towards the heart.

Accepted Answer

The pulmonary artery carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs, where it can pick up oxygen. Therefore, oxygen-depleted blood is carried in the pulmonary artery. This is contrary to most arteries, which typically carry oxygen-rich blood. Once the blood is oxygenated in the lungs, it returns to the heart at the left atrium through the pulmonary vein.
Once blood has been oxygenated and returns to the left side of the heart, it can be ejected by the left ventricle throughout the body via the aorta.
The vena cava returns oxygen depleted blood to the right atrium. 
You may use the diagram below as a visual reference for the structure of the heart.
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Question 6

Which of the following lists the blood vessels in the order of blood flow from the left ventricle back to the heart at the right atrium?

Accepted Answer

When blood is pumped out from the heart, the left ventricle ejects blood to the body through the aorta (the body's largest artery), and then through the branching of arteries.  As blood travels throughout the body, it travels through various arteries. The arteries get smaller, becoming arterioles, as they get closer to the tissues. At the tissues, oxygen and nutrients are exchanged through capillary beds, Capillaries act as transition vessels between the arteries and veins. Once the oxygen and nutrients are unloaded to the tissue, the remaining blood enters the venous circulation and travels back to the heart. Smaller veins closer to the capillary beds are called venules, becoming larger veins as they get closer to the heart. The largest vein, the vena cava, dumps blood directly back into the heart at the right atrium.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is true about protein digestion?

Accepted Answer

The absorption of protein, as well as all other nutrients, occurs primarily in the small intestine.
The large intestine facilitates the absorption of water and some electrolytes, but typically protein has already been absorbed by the time it reaches the large intestine.
Chemical digestion of protein does not begin until protein reaches the stomach where protease enzymes are available.
Mechanical digestion of proteins occurs in the mouth through chewing, while the majority of chemical digestion of proteins occurs in the stomach.

Question 8

The condition ________________ can often lead to ________________ due to buildup and blockage of coronary arteries, preventing blood flow to the myocardium.

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque inside the arteries. If the plaque buildup is severe, a blockage can result, preventing blood flow to the associated heart tissue. This is a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. This can also occur if a plaque ruptures, travels through the vessels, and becomes lodged in a coronary artery.
Arteriosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels and though blood flow can be restricted, this is not the cause of buildup or blockage.
A stroke can occur if a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked by an embolism (embolism is the word we use for any material that blocks a blood vessel).

Question 9

Which of the following is not part of the small intestine?

Accepted Answer

The small intestine is composed of three main parts: the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum.
The colon makes up the majority of the large intestine.
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Question 10

Which of the following arteries has the primary responsibility of supplying blood to the reproductive system?

Accepted Answer

The gonadal artery is a branch off of the abdominal aorta that supplies the reproductive organs with blood. There are actually two gonadal arteries (a right and a left branch).
The term "inguinal" refers to the groin area of the body, however there is no inguinal artery.
The femoral artery is a major artery supplying the lower extremities however it does not supply the reproductive organs with blood.
The common iliac artery is found at the splitting of the inferior aorta, and supplies blood to the lower extremities.
You may use the diagram below as a visual reference for the different branches of the aorta.
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Question 11

In order for the heart to contract, an action potential must be generated at the sinoatrial node. If this signal fails to reach the Purkinje fibers, what will be the result?

Accepted Answer

Just like skeletal and smooth muscle, cardiac muscle must have an electrical signal, or action potential, in order to contract. This means that the heart can contract on its own without the brain telling it to contract. This is possible due to the sinoatrial (SA) node, which can spontaneously initiate an action potential. This action potential is initiated in the right atrium where the SA node is located and disperses throughout the heart allowing muscle contraction to occur.
Purkinje fibers are networks of fibers that are involved in relaying the electrical signal to the ventricles. If an electrical discharge does not reach the Purkinje fibers, they will take over as pacemaker cells to allow the continued contraction of the ventricles. However, the Purkinje fibers are only able to fire between 20-40 beats per minute, while the SA node is capable of firing 60-100 beats per minute.
Note: If the Purkinje fibers were not able to fire, then the ventricles would not contract at all.

Question 12

Which of the following correctly describes the flow of blood through the heart's primary chambers?

Accepted Answer

The heart is composed of four primary chambers: two atria and two ventricles. The right side of the heart, which includes the right atrium and the right ventricle receive blood from the body and send it to the lungs to pick up oxygen. The oxygenated blood returns to the heart at the left side, specifically the left atrium, and then the left ventricle. The left ventricle then ejects the now oxygenated blood to the body. The atria act as collection chambers, while the ventricles are the primary pumps of the heart. 
You may use the diagram below as a visual reference for how blood moves through the heart.
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Question 13

Using the provided image, choose the anatomical structure designated by letter J.

Accepted Answer

Use the diagram of the heart below as a visual reference for all of its structures.
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Question 14

Which of the following is not true about the lymphatic system?

Accepted Answer

The lymphatic system is part of both the vascular and immune systems, containing a network of vessels that carries lymph. Lymph is a fluid containing lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) that drains from other tissues during a filtration process. Lymphatic tissues including lymph nodes, the spleen, and the tonsils are lymphatic tissues that filter lymph and trap foreign particles as they travel through the lymphatic system. The thymus is  also an important lymphatic organ as it produces lymphocytes.
Although the lymphatic system is closely related to the circulatory system it does not transport red blood cells.

Question 15

Which of the following lists the heart's primary valves in the order in which blood passes through them?

Accepted Answer

When the blood returns to the heart from the body, it is collected by the vena cava, which then delivers blood directly to the right atrium. Blood passes through the tricuspid valve as it moves from the right atrium to the right ventricle, and is then ejected into the lungs, passing through the pulmonary semilunar valve. Once the blood has been oxygenated, it returns to the heart at the left atrium. When the blood moves from the left atrium to the left ventricle, it passes through the bicuspid valve. The left ventricle will eject blood through the aortic semilunar valve, then send it through the systemic circuit.
You may use the diagram below as a visual reference for how blood moves through the heart.
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Question 16

Of the following organs, which has both endocrine and digestive functions?

Accepted Answer

The pancreas has both endocrine and digestive functions because it secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon, as well as various digestive proteases, amylases and lipases.
The duodenum is a part of the small intestine and does not secrete any hormones or have any endocrine function.
The colon is a part of the large intestine and does not secrete any hormones or have any endocrine function.
The gallbladder is connected to the liver and does not secrete any hormones or have any endocrine function.

Question 17

Which of the following statements regarding digestion is false?

Accepted Answer

pancreas and stimulates mechanical digestion.
Glucagon is a hormone that is released from the pancreas and helps regulate blood sugar by breaking down stored carbohydrate and releasing glucose into the bloodstream when blood glucose levels are low. Glucagon does not stimulate mechanical digestion.
It is true that the pancreas secretes insulin, which is a hormone used to regulate blood sugar by promoting the uptake of sugar into cells.
Villi and microvilli are folds or convolutions in the intestinal membrane that help to increase surface area so more absorption can occur.
When an adequate amount of fiber, or any significant bolus of food, is present in the esophagus, peristalsis will occur to move the food towards the stomach.

Question 18

In order for blood to be delivered to the body (i.e. the systemic circuit), enough pressure must be developed by the ___________ to push open the ________________.

Accepted Answer

Valves are located between the atria and ventricles in order to control blood flow and prevent back-flow. They also exist between the ventricles and the arteries that lead to the lungs and body. Valves prevent back-flow by opening when it is time for blood to move from one chamber of the heart to the next, and closing after the blood has moved into the next chamber or artery. Valves are necessary for closing off the chambers so that adequate pressure can build up within the chambers. This pressure is necessary to ensure blood can reach its destinations. Valves must be closed on order for pressure to build up. Since the left ventricle is the main pump for systemic circulation, the pressure buildup from the blood in the closed chamber and the myocardium contraction must work together to create adequate pressure to push open the semilunar valve at the entrance to the aorta.
This same process occurs in the right side of the heart with the right ventricle and the pulmonary semilunar valve, however the right side supplies blood only to the lungs, not the systemic circuit.

Question 19

______________ is a condition in which red blood cells are poorly functioning and have reduced ability to carry oxygen.

Accepted Answer

Anemia is a general term for different conditions that can affect a red blood cell's ability to carry oxygen. A common type of anemia can be caused from low iron, resulting in a lack of hemoglobin, which would directly limit the oxygen-carrying capacity.
Hypokalemia is a condition in which blood potassium levels are low; this does not influence the oxygen carrying capacity.
Hypertension is the condition of having high blood pressure.
Leukemia is a type of cancer which usually involves the white blood cells and bone marrow.

Question 20

Which of the following correctly pairs structure and function?

Accepted Answer

The stomach is responsible for chemical digestion. As food contents enter the stomach, it mixes with digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid to break down food. The muscular contractions, or segmentation, that the stomach muscles produce helps to move the food around and ensure it thoroughly mixes with the chemicals.
While mechanical digestion (i.e. chewing) and chemical breakdown begins in the mouth, nutrient absorption does not occur until the food particles are small enough for absorption and this happens in the small intestine.
The duodenum is a segment of the small intestine (where most nutrient absorption takes place). However, reabsorption of water happens in the large intestine, not the small intestine.
The colon is a segment of the large intestine which is primarily responsible for reabsorption of water and some electrolytes. The absorption of glucose occurs mainly in the small intestine.
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Exam 4: ATI-TEAS-Science

The term _________________ refers to the contraction of smooth muscle in the digestive system that moves food along the GI tract.

Which of the following is not typically a result of an embolus?

Which of the following describes what would happen during a period of hyperventilation?

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers, for example 110/70. The top number (110) represents _ blood pressure which is __________________.

The _ carries oxygen depleted blood away from the heart, while the carries oxygen-rich blood back towards the heart.

Which of the following lists the blood vessels in the order of blood flow from the left ventricle back to the heart at the right atrium?

Which of the following statements is true about protein digestion?

The condition can often lead to due to buildup and blockage of coronary arteries, preventing blood flow to the myocardium.

Which of the following is not part of the small intestine?

Which of the following arteries has the primary responsibility of supplying blood to the reproductive system?

In order for the heart to contract, an action potential must be generated at the sinoatrial node. If this signal fails to reach the Purkinje fibers, what will be the result?

Which of the following correctly describes the flow of blood through the heart's primary chambers?

Using the provided image, choose the anatomical structure designated by letter J.

Which of the following is not true about the lymphatic system?

Which of the following lists the heart's primary valves in the order in which blood passes through them?

Of the following organs, which has both endocrine and digestive functions?

Which of the following statements regarding digestion is false?

In order for blood to be delivered to the body (i.e. the systemic circuit) , enough pressure must be developed by the _ to push open the ______.

______________ is a condition in which red blood cells are poorly functioning and have reduced ability to carry oxygen.

Which of the following correctly pairs structure and function?

Exam 4: ATI-TEAS-Science

The term _________________ refers to the contraction of smooth muscle in the digestive system that moves food along the GI tract.

Which of the following is not typically a result of an embolus?

Which of the following describes what would happen during a period of hyperventilation?

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers, for example 110/70. The top number (110) represents ___________ blood pressure which is ____________________________.

The _________________ carries oxygen depleted blood away from the heart, while the ________________ carries oxygen-rich blood back towards the heart.

Which of the following lists the blood vessels in the order of blood flow from the left ventricle back to the heart at the right atrium?

Which of the following statements is true about protein digestion?

The condition ________________ can often lead to ________________ due to buildup and blockage of coronary arteries, preventing blood flow to the myocardium.

Which of the following is not part of the small intestine?

Which of the following arteries has the primary responsibility of supplying blood to the reproductive system?

In order for the heart to contract, an action potential must be generated at the sinoatrial node. If this signal fails to reach the Purkinje fibers, what will be the result?

Which of the following correctly describes the flow of blood through the heart's primary chambers?

Using the provided image, choose the anatomical structure designated by letter J.

Which of the following is not true about the lymphatic system?

Which of the following lists the heart's primary valves in the order in which blood passes through them?

Of the following organs, which has both endocrine and digestive functions?

Which of the following statements regarding digestion is false?

In order for blood to be delivered to the body (i.e. the systemic circuit) , enough pressure must be developed by the ___________ to push open the ________________.

______________ is a condition in which red blood cells are poorly functioning and have reduced ability to carry oxygen.

Which of the following correctly pairs structure and function?

Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers, for example 110/70. The top number (110) represents _ blood pressure which is __________________.

The _ carries oxygen depleted blood away from the heart, while the carries oxygen-rich blood back towards the heart.

The condition can often lead to due to buildup and blockage of coronary arteries, preventing blood flow to the myocardium.

In order for blood to be delivered to the body (i.e. the systemic circuit) , enough pressure must be developed by the _ to push open the ______.