_________________________________________________________________________ BIOLOGY SUBJECT TEST 3

Biology Subject Test 3

1. Which enzyme changes disaccharides to 5. Which of the following statements about blood is
monosaccharides? false?
A Lactase A. Mature red blood cells are not nucleated.
B. Kinase B. Blood platelets are involved in the clotting
C. Zymogen process.
D. Lipase C. The adult spleen is a site of red blood cell
E. Phosphorylase development.
D. White blood cells are capable of phagocytosing
foreign matter.
2. A heart beat is initiated by the pacemaker, which is E. New red blood cells are constantly developing in
the bone marrow.
A. also known as the atrioventricular (AV) node.
B. also known as the sinoatrial node.
C. located in the wall of the right ventricle. 6. In the nervous system
D. functionally dependent upon nervous stimulation.
E. located in the brain. A. myelination of nerves permits faster rates of
impulse conductance.
B. an excitatory neurotransmitter causes
3. In the digestive system, all of the following are true hyperpolarization of the post-synaptic membrane.
except C. the autonomic nervous system mediates
voluntary functions.
A. digestive enzymes from the pancreas are released D. during an action potential, first K+ rushes in.
via a duct into the duodenum. E. during an action potential, first K+ rushes out of
B. peristalsis is a wave of smooth muscle the cell and then Na+ rushes in.
contraction that proceeds along the digestive
tract.
C. in the small intestine, villi absorb nutrients into 7. Which of the following is a normal pathway of blood
both the lymphatic and circulatory systems. flow?
D. the low pH of the stomach is essential for the
function of carbohydrate digestive enzymes. A. Right ventricle to aorta
E. the release of bile from the gall bladder is B. Pulmonary veins to left atrium
triggered by the hormone cholecystokinin. C. Inferior vena cava to left atrium
D. Pulmonary veins to left ventricle
E. Left ventricle to pulmonary artery
4. In the kidney
A. nephrons are located only in the cortex of the 8. Which of the following associations of brain structure
organ.
and function is false?
B. ammonia is converted to urea.
C. both glucose and water are actively reabsorbed A. Hypothalamus : appetite
from the glomerular filtrate. B. Cerebellum : motor coordination
D. antidiuretic hormone causes the reabsorption of C. Cerebral cortex : higher intellectual function
water from the collecting tubule. D. Reticular activating system : sensory processing
E. filtration of the blood begins at the glomerulus E. Medulla : basic emotional drives
and ends at the loop of Henle.

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9. Which pairing of digestive enzyme and type of
substrate is incorrect?
A. Ptyalin (salivary amylase) : proteins
B. Chymotrypsin : proteins
C. Carboxypeptidase : proteins
D. Pancreatic amylase : carbohydrates
E. Pancreatic lipase : fats
10. Which of the following statements about muscles is
false?
A. During isometric contraction the length of the
muscle is constant.
B. During isotonic contraction the length of the
muscle shortens.
C. In a resting muscle there is complete relaxation.
D. Tonus is the state of partial contraction that
occurs in the resting muscle.
E. Tetanus is a condition of sustained contraction
due to an overlap of twitch impulses.
11. Which statement about the respiratory system is NOT
true?
A. Ciliated nasal membranes warm, moisten, and
filter inspired air.
B. Contraction of the diaphragm enlarges the
thoracic cavity.
C. When the thoracic cavity enlarges, the pressure
of air within the lungs falls.
D. When the pressure of air within the lungs is less
than the atmospheric pressure, air will flow out
of the lungs.
E. The respiratory process consists of inspiratory
and expiratory acts following one another.
12. All of the following statements about hormones are
true EXCEPT
A. they are transported by the circulatory system.
B. they bind to receptors on target cells.
C. they must be present in large quantities to have
an effect.
D. they are secreted by endocrine glands.
E. they can affect organs of the body that are far
removed from their site of synthesis.
2 KAPLAN
13. Which statement about the menstrual cycle is false?
A. FSH causes the development of the primary
follicle.
B. LH causes the graafian follicle to undergo
ovulation.
C. The corpus luteum develops from the remains of
the post-ovulatory graafian follicle.
D. As a follicle develops, it produces estrogen.
E. FSH and LH are both posterior pituitary
secretions.
14. Which statement about pancreatic endocrine function
is FALSE?
A. Glucagon and insulin are both produced by islets
of Langerhans cells.
B. Glucagon and insulin are mutually antagonistic
in their behavior.
C. Glucagon and insulin both cause glucose to be
removed from the bloodstream and stored as
glycogen.
D. Glucagon causes an elevation in the level of
serum glucose.
E. Insulin causes a decrease in the level of serum
glucose.
15. Which of the following is an incorrect pairing of an
endocrine gland and hormone secretion?
A. Posterior pituitary : LH
B. Adrenal cortex : aldosterone
C. Anterior pituitary : TSH
D. Adrenal medulla : epinephrine
E. Hypothalamus : FSH-releasing factor
16. What is the correct order that the body uses energy
sources?
A. glucose → fats → proteins → other carbohydrates
B. glucose → other carbohydrates → proteins → fats
C. glucose → other carbohydrates → fats → proteins
D. fats → glucose → other carbohydrates → proteins
E. fats → proteins → glucose → other carbohydrates
_________________________________________________________________________ BIOLOGY SUBJECT TEST 3

17. Which statement about human gamete production is 21. To ensure survival of their species, animals that do
false? not care for their young must
A. In the testes, sperm develop in the seminiferous A. have the ability to live in water and on land.
tubules. B. lay eggs.
B. In the ovaries, eggs develop in the ovarian C. produce many offspring.
follicles. D. have protective coloring.
C. FSH stimulates gamete production in both sexes. E. have internal fertilization.
D. Gametes arise via meiosis.
E. The result of meiosis in females is the production
of four egg cells. 22. Cerebellum damage will most likely
A. impair memory.
18. Which of the following statements about evolution is B. impair coordination and equilibrium.
correct? C. impair sense perception.
D. impair pituitary function.
A. Lamarck's theory of use and disuse adequately E. impair breathing function.
describes why giraffes have long necks.
B. Darwin's theory of natural selection relies solely
on genetic mutation. 23. Basal metabolism disorders are most likely caused
C. Darwin's theory explains the evolution of man most directly by
from present day apes.
D. Darwin's theory of natural selection relies solely A. impairment of the pituitary.
on environmental conditions. B. impairment of the gonads.
E. Natural selection is the process in which random C. impairment of the thyroid.
mutations are selected for survival by the D. impairment of the thymus.
environment. E. impairment of the parathyroid.

19. Where are amino acids absorbed? 24. In the adult man, red blood cells are

A. small intestine A. non-nucleated and cannot repair themselves.

B. large intestine B. replaced in the liver.
C. gall bladder C. outnumbered by white blood cells in the
D. stomach circulation.
E. rectum D. made in the spleen.
E. sites of rapid protein synthesis.

20. The hormone progesterone

25. Which of the following is NOT reabsorbed from the
A. stimulates follicle growth. glomerular filtrate?
B. shuts off FSH production.
C. prepares the uterus for implantation of the A. glucose
zygotes. B. Na+
D. is solely responsible for the maintenance of C. Cl-
secondary sex characteristics. D. K+
E. is produced by the anterior pituitary. E. amino acids

26. Estrogen

A. maintains female secondary sex characteristics.

B. promotes development of the follicle.
C. induces the ruptured follicle to develop into the
corpus luteum.
D. lowers blood glucose.
E. stimulates testosterone synthesis in males.

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27. You've just been stopped for going 90mph in a 55mph 32. Examples of environmental factors affecting the way
zone and this tickets means your license will be a gene is expressed include all of the following except
suspended. As the police officer approaches your car,
which of the following is NOT occurring? A. Drosophila with a given set of genes have
crooked wings at low temperatures and straight
A. Increased blood pressure. wings at high temperatures.
B. Increased heart rate. B. the change in hair color of the Himalayan hare
C. Dilated bronchioles. after cooling the naturally warm portions.
D. Release of acetylcholine into the blood. C. the production of heat shock proteins in a cell
E. Increased pupil diameter. after an increase in temperature.
D. a decrease in temperature causing shivering.
E. All of the above
28. The oxygen content is greatest in the fluid in which of
the following structures?
33. Which of the following is not a disorder of the eye?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Thoracic duct A. Myopia
C Right atrium B. Hypermetropia
D. Left ventricle C. Glaucoma
E. Inferior vena cava D. Cataracts
E. All of the above are disorders of the eye

29. What is the correct sequence of passages that air

travels through during exhalation?
A. alveoli → bronchi → bronchioles → trachea
→ pharynx
B. alveoli → bronchi → lungs → trachea → pharynx
C. alveoli → trachea → bronchi → larynx
→ pharynx
D. alveoli → bronchi → trachea → larynx
→ pharynx
E. alveoli → bronchi → trachea → pharynx
→ larynx
34. Which statement concerning the pituitary gland is
false?
A. The anterior pituitary secretes hormones involved
in the menstrual cycle.
B. The posterior pituitary directs the action of the
thyroid gland.
C. The hypothalamus secretes factors that cause the
release of anterior pituitary hormones.
D. Growth hormone is an anterior pituitary secretion.
E. The posterior pituitary can affect blood pressure.

35. Which of the following is not a lipid derivative?

30. The rate of breathing is controlled by involuntary
centers in the A. Waxes
B. Steroids
A. cerebrum. C. Carotenoids
B. cerebellum. D. Albumins
C. medulla oblongata. E. Lecithin
D. spinal cord.
E. hypothalamus.
36. Which of the following statements about viruses is
NOT true?
31. Bones are connected to each other by connective
tissue known as A. The genetic material may be DNA or RNA.
B. The virus may replicate in a bacterial host.
A. sockets. C. The virus may replicate in a eukaryotic host.
B. tendons. D. The virus may replicate autonomously in the
C. ligaments. absence of a host.
D. synovia. E. The protein coat of the virus does not enter a host
E. muscles. bacterial cell.

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37. In the kidney, blood filtered through the glomerulus

does not normally contain
A. glucose.
B. amino acids.
C. blood cells.
D. sodium ions.
E. potassium ions.

38. According to Starling's hypothesis of capillary

physiology, which of the following is true?
A. The hydrostatic pressure is lower at the arteriolar
end.
B. The osmotic pressure tends to keep fluid out of
the vessel.
C. Filtration occurs where the hydrostatic pressure
is less than the osmotic pressure.
D. The ultrafiltrate is returned to the bloodstream by
the lymphatic system.
E. None of the above

39. Renin is a polypeptide produced

A. in response to decreased blood pressure.
B. in response to increased blood volume.
C. in response to a concentrated urine.
D. which acts on the pituitary gland.
E. in the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney.

40. Which statement about acetylcholine (ACh) is NOT

true?
A. ACh is released at the neuromuscular junction.
B. ACh binds to specific receptors on the post-
synaptic membrane.
C. In a synaptic cleft there are enzymes that degrade
ACh
D. ACh diffuses through the pre-synaptic membrane
after its synthesis.
E. A synapse that is subjected to many action
potentials may be depleted of ACh granules.

STOP! END OF TEST.

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BIOLOGY SUBJECT TEST 3

ANSWER KEY

1. A 9. A 17. E 25. D 33. E

2. B 10. C 18. E 26. A 34. B

3. D 11. D 19. A 27. D 35. D

4. D 12. C 20. C 28. D 36. D

5. C 13. E 21. C 29. D 37. C

6. A 14. C 22. B 30. C 38. D

7. B 15. A 23. C 31. C 39. A

8. E 16. C 24. A 32. D 40. D

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EXPLANATIONS

1. A
Lactase breaks lactose into glucose and galactose. Answer choice B is incorrect because kinase is an
enzyme that phosphorylates its substrate. Answer choice C is incorrect because zymogen is an enzyme that is
secreted in an inactive form. The zymogen is cleaved under certain physiological conditions to the active form
of the enzyme. Important examples of zymogens include pepsinogen, trypsinogen, and chymotrypsinogen,
which are cleaved in the digestive tract to yield the active enzymes pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin. Answer
choice D is incorrect because lipase breaks down lipids into free fatty acids. Answer choice E is incorrect
because phosphorylase removes a phosphate from its substrate.

2. B
The heartbeat is initiated by the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the wall of the right atrium and travels
through the atria. It is regulated but not controlled by the accelerator nerve (sympathetic) and the vagus nerve
(parasympathetic). It is then picked up by the AV node which signals the bundle of His (AV bundle) which
transports the contraction through the ventricles via the Purkinje fibers. Answer choice A is incorrect because
while the AV node does have contractile ability and controls the contraction of the ventricles, it does not control
the contraction of the entire heart and is not as regular as the signal from the SA node. Answer choices C and D
are not correct because the SA node is located in the wall of the right atrium and is not functionally dependent
upon nervous stimulation as this tissue initiates the heartbeat although it can be modified by the nervous
system.

3. D
The low pH of the stomach is essential for the function of the enzymes that break down proteins into their
amino acids. Answer choice A is true: amylases, lipases, and bicarbonate are released through the pancreatic
duct. Answer choice B is true: peristalsis propels food and waste through the system. Answer choice C is true
because glucose and amino acids are picked up by the blood while fats are picked up by lacteals, which are
special vessels that connect with the lymphatic system. Answer choice E is true because cholecystokinin is a
hormone released by the wall of the small intestine due to the presence of acidic chyme from the stomach. It
stimulates the gall bladder to release bile and the pancreas to release digestive enzymes. Both secretions are
released into the duodenum.

4. D
ADH is released by the posterior pituitary gland and causes the collecting tubule to be more permeable to
water. Therefore, more water is absorbed and urine becomes more concentrated. Answer choice A is incorrect
because in the nephrons, the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule, and the proximal and distal convoluted tubule are
in the cortex while the loop of Henle and the collecting tubule are in the medulla. Answer choice B is incorrect
because ammonia is transformed into urea in the liver and excreted by the kidney. Answer choice C is incorrect
because salts, glucose, and amino acids are reabsorbed by active transport while water is reabsorbed by
diffusion. Answer choice E is incorrect because filtration only occurs at the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule.

5. C
In the adult, all hematopoiesis occurs in the bone marrow. In the fetus, hematopoiesis occurs in the fetal
liver. The spleen acts as a reservoir for red blood cells and filters the blood. Answer choice A is true because
mature red blood cells are not nucleated in order to create more space for hemoglobin. Answer choice B is
incorrect because blood platelets are crucial for the clotting of blood, and answer choice D is incorrect because
certain white blood cells such as macrophages and neutrophils engulf foreign matter, and answer choice E is

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incorrect because new blood cells are continually being produced in the bone marrow to replace the cells after
their life span of 120 days has ended.

6. A
Myelin is a fatty compound that surrounds the axons and has been compared to insulation on a wire. It
speeds conduction along the nerve cell, and is produced by Schwann cells. Answer choice B is incorrect
because depolarization actually occurs after release of an excitatory neurotransmitter. Hyperpolarization
actually makes it more difficult for an action potential to occur. Answer choice C is incorrect because the
autonomic nervous system is made up of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and regulates
involuntary actions with opposing results. Answer choices D and E are incorrect because sodium channels
open first and Na+ rushes in, then K+ channels open and release potassium out of the cell.

7. B
Blood traveling from the left ventricle will flow into the aorta, then go to all areas of the body except the
lungs. For example, blood in the brachiocephalic artery will travel to the head and the shoulders, and blood in
the renal artery will travel to the kidney to be filtered. Blood will go from these arteries into arterioles, then
capillaries, where food, waste, and energy will be exchanged. Then the blood will go into venules and collect in
veins, and will be transported to the superior and inferior vena cavae. This makes up the systemic circulation.
Then the blood will enter the right atrium and flow into the right ventricle. After this it will be transported to the
lungs via the pulmonary artery where capillary beds will surround the alveoli so gas exchange can occur. Then
the pulmonary veins will bring it back to the left atrium to start the process over again. This is known as
pulmonary circulation. Looking at the answer choices, only B follows this flow chart.

8. E
The medulla monitors blood carbon dioxide levels and pH, and adjusts breathing and heart rate. It is also
the center for reflex activities such as coughing, sneezing, and swallowing. Answer choice A is true because the
hypothalamus is the center that controls thirst, hunger, temperature, sleep, blood pressure, and water balance.
Answer choice B is true because the cerebellum controls muscle coordination and tone, and maintains posture.
Answer choice C is true because the cerebral cortex is the center for vision, hearing, smell, voluntary movement,
and memory. Answer choice D is true because the reticular activating system receives and sorts sensory input.

9. A
Salivary amylase digests starch into maltose. All the other enzymes are correctly paired with their
substrates.

10. C
Even in resting muscles there is a slight contraction known as tonus. Answer choice A is true because in
isometric contraction, there is constant length and an increase in muscle tension. Answer choice B is true
because in isotonic contraction, the muscle shortens while the tension remains constant. Answer choice D is
true because tonus is the partial sustained contraction in relaxed muscles. Answer choice E is true because in
tetanus, there is no complete recovery before the next sustained contraction. This will cause muscle contraction
until fatigue because of lack of energy or a build up of waste occurs.

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11. D
Answer choice D is false and therefore the correct answer because when the pressure of air within the
lungs is less than atmospheric, air actually rushes into the lungs. Answer choices B and C are correct because
there is low pressure inside the thoracic cavity due to the expansion of the thoracic volume when the diaphragm
contracts. Answer choice A is true because when this pressure drops, air rushes in and the ciliated membranes
warm, moisten, and filter the inspired air. Air then travels through the bronchi, into the bronchioles and finally
into the alveoli where diffusion occurs to oxygenate the blood and release CO2 carried back from the tissue.

12. C
Hormones are capable of being effective at picomolar concentrations. Answer choices A and D are true
because they are transported by the circulatory system after being secreted by the endocrine (ductless) glands.
Answer choice E is true because they may travel far from their site of synthesis to have an effect on their target
organ. Answer choice B is true because cells will respond to hormones only if they have the appropriate
receptor on their cell surface in the case of peptide hormones, or inside their cytoplasm in the case of steroid
hormones.

13. E
FSH and LH are secreted by the anterior pituitary, and affect the maturation of the follicle. FSH stimulates
the production of estrogen, and aids in the maturation of the primary follicle. LH causes the corpus luteum to
secrete progesterone, which causes the uterine lining to thicken to prepare for implantation.

14. C
The pancreas is a dual organ with both endocrine and exocrine functions. Its exocrine function is to
release digestive enzymes and bicarbonate into the small intestine via the pancreatic duct. Its endocrine
function is to release insulin, produced by the b cells in the islets of Langerhans, and glucagon, produced by a
cells, into the bloodstream. These antagonistic molecules work together to regulate levels of blood glucose.
Insulin causes a decrease of blood glucose by stimulating the formation of glycogen. Glucagon causes an
increase in blood glucose by catabolizing the breakdown of glycogen into glucose.

15. A
The posterior pituitary only secretes ADH and oxytocin. Answer choice B is correct because the adrenal
cortex does secrete aldosterone, which is a mineral cortisone that causes the increase of absorption of Na+.
Answer choice C is correct because the anterior pituitary does secrete TSH, which stimulates thyroid production
of thyroxin, which raises the basal metabolic rate. Answer choice D is correct because the adrenal medulla
does secrete epinephrine, which increases heart rate and blood pressure, and the flow of the blood to skeletal
muscle. Answer choice E is correct because the hypothalamus secretes FSH-releasing factor, which stimulates
the anterior pituitary.

16. C
When glucose supplies run low, the body utilizes other energy sources. These sources are used by the
body in the following preferential order: other carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. These substances are first
converted to either glucose or glucose intermediates, which can then be degraded in the glycolytic pathway and
the citric acid cycle. Proteins are the last resource for energy because there is no protein storage in the body.
Utilization of protein results in muscle wasting and connective tissue breakdown, which can be harmful in the
long term.

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17. E
Oogenesis produces only one viable egg and two or three polar bodies. This is a result of unequal
distribution of the cytoplasm during meiosis. Answer choice A is true because interstitial cells are stimulated by
LH to produce testosterone. FSH and testosterone then cause the development of sperm in the seminiferous
tubules. Answer choice B is true because eggs develop in follicles in the ovaries under the control of FSH.
Answer choice C is true because obviously FSH plays a role in gamete production in both sexes. Answer
choice D is true because gametes become haploid through reductional division (meiosis) in which a diploid cell
gives rise to four haploid sperm or one haploid egg and two or three polar bodies.

18. E
This statement is correct. Natural selection is the process by which mutations are "tried out" in the
environment and if they offer some degree of fitness, they will be passed on to the next generation. Answer
choice A, Lamarck's theory, was if something was used, such as a giraffe stretching its neck until it became
longer, these acquired traits would be passed on to the next generation. We know, however, that acquired
characteristics do not affect the genes, and are therefore not passed on to the next generation. Answer choice
B is incorrect because Darwin's theory is much more than mutation. It is based on overreproduction, which
allows for genetic variation among the offspring. These offspring are then selected on whether their genetic
makeup is the most fit, and these most fit organisms will pass on their genes to the next generation. Answer
choice C is incorrect because Darwin believed that man and apes actually evolved from a common ancestor.
And answer choice D is incorrect because natural selection includes selection pressures but also needs a
population with genetic variation in order to select the most fit organisms.

19. A
The small intestine is where chemical digestion is completed and absorption takes place. The small
intestine is highly adapted to absorption due to it's large surface area formed by finger-like projections called
villi. Amino acids and monosaccharides pass through the villi walls and enter into the capillary system within
the villi.
Choice B, the large intestine, functions in the absorption of salts and water.
Choice C, the gall bladder, stores the bile prior to its release in the small intestine.
Choice D, the stomach, is a large muscular organ that stores, mixes and partially digests food.
Choice E, the rectum, provides for transient storage of feces prior to elimination through the anus.

20. C
Progesterone readies the uterus for implantation by thickening and vascularizing the uterine lining. Answer
choice A is incorrect because FSH secreted by the anterior pituitary actually stimulates follicle growth. Answer
choice B is incorrect because the production of estrogen by the ovaries actually shuts off FSH secretion.
Answer choice D is incorrect because estrogen and testosterone are responsible for the secondary sex
characteristics of females and males respectively. Answer choice E is incorrect because FSH and LH are
produced by the anterior pituitary.

21. C
There are many types of fertilization/development/care in nature. At one end of the spectrum would be
internal fertilization, internal development, and lots of care. These organisms, such as elephants, produce few
offspring but a large percentage of the offspring produced reach adulthood. The other end of the spectrum
would be external fertilization, external development, and no care. These organisms, such as many species of
fish, must produce large numbers of both eggs and sperm as relatively few eggs and sperm will even interact to
produce a zygote. Then, without any protection, these zygotes are susceptible to predation. Therefore, millions

10 KAPLAN
_________________________________________________________________________ BIOLOGY SUBJECT TEST 3

of eggs and sperm must be released in order to perpetuate the species. Answer choice A does not help these
organisms at all, and while answer choice D might be useful, it is not related to whether or not the young are
cared for.

22. B
The cerebellum is involved in fine motor coordination, balance, and equilibrium so damage to this section of
the brain will result in loss of these functions. A patient might become jerky and have erratic fine motor skills
and lose his balance easily. Answer choices A and C would result after trauma to the cerebrum, and answer
choice D would result in the impairment of a large number of body functions that depend on hormones secreted
by the pituitary gland. Answer choice E would result after damage to the medulla oblongata, which controls
breathing rates.

23. C
The thyroid gland controls the basal metabolic rate through release of thyroxin. It is stimulated by TSH
released by the anterior pituitary gland. Answer choice A is incorrect because impairment of the pituitary would
result in a myriad of disorders as the anterior and posterior pituitary glands secrete a large number of hormones
such as ACTH, LH, FSH, ADH, and GH, which control a large number of bodily functions. Answer choice B is
incorrect because impairment of the gonads would result in a loss of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary.
Answer choice D is incorrect because the thymus is involved in the development, maturation, and education of T
cells. Answer choice E is incorrect because parathyroid hormone stimulates calcium resorption from bone and
increases plasma Ca2+ levels as a result.

24. A
Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. They lose their nucleus to make room for more
hemoglobin so they cannot reproduce, repair themselves, or make proteins. Answer choice C is incorrect
because RBCs actually highly outnumber leukocytes, and answer choice D is incorrect because the spleen
stores a reservoir of red blood cells and acts as a biological and physical filter for the blood.

25. D
K+ is considered a waste product and is secreted into the distal convoluted tubule.
Glucose and amino acids are reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule. Na+ and Cl- are reabsorbed
everywhere but the descending limb and collecting duct. Water is reabsorbed everywhere but the ascending
limb (where only salt is pumped out).

26. A
Estrogens are steroid hormones necessary for normal female maturation. Estrogen stimulates the
development of the female reproductive tract and contributes to the development of secondary sexual
characteristics and sex drive. Estrogens are also secreted by the follicle during the menstrual cycle and are
responsible for the thickening of the endometrium.
Choice B is incorrect because it is FSH released from the anterior pituitary that promotes the development
of the follicle, which matures and begins secreting estrogen.
Choice C is describing the function of LH in the female menstrual cycle.
Choice D is describing insulin function. Insulin is a protein hormone secreted in response to a high blood
glucose concentration and stimulates the uptake of glucose by muscle and adipose cells.

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Choice E is another function of LH.

27. D
The situation described would stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. Acetylcholine is a
neurotransmitter and is not released into the bloodstream. Also, acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter in
a parasympathetic nervous response, not sympathetic.
Choices A, B, C and E are all responses stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system. The primary
neurotransmitter for this nervous system is norepinephrine.

28. D
Blood in the left ventricle has just returned from the lungs where it was oxygenated via the pulmonary vein.
This is the only vein in the adult body that carries oxygenated blood. Answer choice A is incorrect because the
pulmonary artery is blood on its way to the lungs to be oxygenated. It is actually the most deoxygenated blood
in the body. Answer choice B is incorrect because lymph vessels such as the thoracic duct are returning
lymphatic fluid back to the venous circulation. They have a very low partial pressure of O2. Answer choice C is
incorrect because the right atrium has a low O2 content as blood returning from the body is collected here before
being transported to the lungs. Answer choice E is incorrect because the inferior vena cava returns
deoxygenated blood to the heart from the lower half of the body.

29. D
The exhalation process begins in the alveoli then goes through the bronchioles to the bronchi, then it
travels through the trachea where it passes through the larynx and then the pharynx.

30. C
The breathing center in the medulla oblongata monitors the increase in CO2 through its sensory cells. It
also will detect a decrease in pH in the blood, which is also indicative of an increase of CO2 levels in the blood.
A decrease in O2 is monitored peripherally by chemoreceptors in the carotid bodies in the carotid arteries, and
aortic bodies in the aorta. Answer choice A is incorrect because the cerebrum is involved in sensory
interpretation, memory, and thought. Answer choice B is incorrect because the cerebellum is involved in fine
motor coordination, balance, and equilibrium. Answer choice D is incorrect because the spinal cord relays
sensory and motor information to and from the brain. Answer choice E is incorrect because the hypothalamus
regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, sex drive, and emotion.

31. C
Ligaments are fibrous connective tissue that link bone to bone, while answer choice B is incorrect because
tendons are fibrous connective tissue that connect bone to muscle. Answer choice A is incorrect because
sockets are types of joints such as the ball and socket joint of the hip. Answer choice D is incorrect because the
synovia is the lining of synovial joints and are meant to ease the friction between bones. Answer choice E is
incorrect because muscles actually do connect bones via their origin and insertion points, but they are not
connective tissue. Rather they are contractile tissue.

32. D
Genes supply the hereditary background, but the environment determines the way in which the gene is
expressed. Thus, the genetic and environmental factors interact to produce the phenotype of the individual.
Answer choices A, B, and C are all examples of the environment affecting what genes are transcribed. Answer

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choice D is an example of a change in environment causing an effect to maintain homeostasis. Shivering

generates heat because muscles are contracting rapidly.

33. E
In myopia (nearsightedness), the image forms in front of the retina. In hypermetropia (farsightedness), the
image forms behind the retina. Glaucoma is an increase of pressure in the aqueous humor due to the blocking
of the outflow of the aqueous humor. Cataracts occur when the lens becomes opaque and no light can enter the
eye, resulting in blindness.

34. B
The anterior pituitary secretes Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which directs the action of the thyroid
gland.
Choice A is incorrect because the anterior pituitary secretes Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), which
stimulates follicle maturation and estrogen release, and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which causes ovum release
and progesterone release.
The hypothalamus, choice C, secretes several hormones into the hypothalamic portal system that controls
the release of the anterior pituitary hormones. An example is GnRH, which controls the release of FSH and LH.
Growth hormone, choice D, is secreted by the anterior pituitary. HG promotes bone and muscle growth,
and is involved in fat metabolism.
The posterior pituitary can affect blood pressure, choice E, through the action of AntiDiuretic Hormone
(ADH, vasopressin). ADH can indirectly increase blood pressure by increasing blood volume by increasing
water reabsorption in the nephron.

35. D
Albumins are globular proteins that act as carriers, enzymes, and have a variety of other functions in the
body. Waxes are esters of fatty acids and monohydroxylic alcohols. They are found as protective coatings on
skin, fur, leaves of higher plants, and on the cuticle of the exoskeleton of many insects. Steroids such as
cholesterol and estrogen have three fused cyclohexane rings and one fused cyclopentane ring. Carotenoids are
fatty acid-like carbon chains containing conjugated double bonds and carrying six-membered carbon rings at
each end. These compounds are pigments and they produce red, yellow, orange, and brown colors in plants
and animals. Lecithin is an example of a phospholipid. Phospholipids contain glycerol, two fatty acids, a
phosphate group, and nitrogen-containing alcohol.

36. D
A virus is a simple non-living organism that takes on living characteristics when it enters cells that support
its replication. They are made up of genetic material, either DNA or RNA, and a protein coat, and must replicate
within its host cell. A bacteriophage will inject its DNA into the bacterium while leaving the protein coat on the
cell surface. In eukaryotes, however, the whole virus may enter the cell and not become unencapsulated until it
enters the cytoplasm.

37. C
The glomerulus is a capillary ball in the nephron where glucose, water, amino acids, ions, and urea enter
while plasma proteins and cells remain behind. Glucose and amino acids are filtered and completely
reabsorbed, while urea is filtered and excreted, and Na+ and other salts are filtered and partially reabsorbed.
Therefore, blood filtered through the glomerulus would not contain blood cells.

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38. D
The movement of fluids occurs between the capillaries and the surrounding tissues. Plasma proteins and
fluids leave at the arterial end of the capillary bed and reenter at the venule end. In between they exchange
wastes, food, and fluids with the cells. There are two forces that affect this movement. 1) The hydrostatic
pressure, which is greater at the arterial end (and much greater than the osmotic pressure), drives fluid out of
the vessels into the interstitial spaces. 2) The osmotic pressure, which is greater at the venule end (and much
greater than the hydrostatic pressure), drives fluids back into the vessels to be returned to the circulatory
system. However, according to Starling's hypothesis, all of the fluid cannot be returned to the vessel. Instead,
some of this fluid travels through the interstitial spaces until it is picked up by the lymphatic system where it is
filtered through the lymph nodes and returns to the circulatory system via the thoracic duct.

39. A
Renin is part of the renin-angiotensin system, which aids in controlling blood pressure in the body. When
blood pressure falls (due to heavy bleeding for example) renin is released by the kidneys and converts
angiotensinogen to angiotensin I. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which is also present in the blood,
converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes vasoconstricion (angio = blood vessel; e.g.
angioplasty: inserting a plastic balloon into a blood vessel; tensin = tense; constrict) resulting in an increase in
blood pressure. It also causes the release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex, which opens ion channels in
the convoluted tubule of the kidney to increase water resorption. Renin is formed by the juxtoglomerular
apparatus near the distal convoluted tubule in the nephron. It acts indirectly on the adrenal cortex but does not
act on the pituitary gland.

40. D
Acetylcholine (ACh) is released at the neuromuscular junction when vesicles containing this
neurotransmitter merge with the membrane. ACh diffuses across the synapse and binds to specific receptors
on the post-synaptic membrane. An enzyme known as acetylcholinesterase degrades ACh very quickly after
release in order to prevent constant stimulation of the synapse.

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