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Body Structures and Organ Systems practice questions for the CCMA exam

Body Structures and Organ Systems is part of Anatomy and Physiology, which is 8 of the 150 scored questions on the CCMA exam. Try 5 free questions below; open each one to see the answer, why the other options are wrong and the sources.

Question 1

A gland cell has just made a hormone that it will release into the blood. Which organelle packages the hormone so it can leave the cell?

  1. Mitochondrion
  2. Golgi apparatus
  3. Centriole
  4. Lysosome
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Golgi apparatus

The Golgi apparatus packages molecules made and processed in the cell so they can be transported out of the cell.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Mitochondrion: Mitochondria supply energy; they do not package products.
  • C. Centriole: Centrioles help organize cell division.
  • D. Lysosome: Lysosomes digest material instead of exporting it.

Sources

Question 2

When the blood calcium level falls, the parathyroid glands release more parathyroid hormone. Which effect helps restore calcium?

  1. The thyroid releases calcitonin to lower calcium
  2. The kidneys excrete more calcium in urine
  3. Bones release calcium into the blood
  4. The intestines absorb less dietary calcium
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Bones release calcium into the blood

Parathyroid hormone moves calcium from bone into blood, lowers kidney calcium loss and increases intestinal absorption (partly by activating vitamin D).

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. The thyroid releases calcitonin to lower calcium: Calcitonin lowers calcium, the opposite of what is needed.
  • B. The kidneys excrete more calcium in urine: PTH makes the kidneys excrete less calcium.
  • D. The intestines absorb less dietary calcium: PTH increases, not decreases, intestinal absorption.

Sources

Question 3

What is the heart's natural pacemaker?

  1. Bundle of His
  2. Atrioventricular (AV) node
  3. Sinoatrial (SA) node
  4. Left bundle branch
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Sinoatrial (SA) node

The SA (sinus) node, a small mass of tissue in the wall of the right atrium, starts each electrical impulse and sets the heart rate.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Bundle of His: The bundle of His carries the impulse after the AV node.
  • B. Atrioventricular (AV) node: The AV node receives the impulse and briefly delays it.
  • D. Left bundle branch: The left bundle branch carries the impulse into the left ventricle.

Sources

Question 4

At a staff in-service, an MA explains that the heart contains muscle tissue that pumps, fibrous tissue that forms the valves, and special cells that keep the rhythm. Which level of organization is the heart?

  1. A tissue
  2. An organ
  3. An organ system
  4. A single cell type
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. An organ

An organ is a distinct structure made of several tissue types that performs specific functions. The heart is an example.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. A tissue: A tissue is one group of related cells; the heart has several.
  • C. An organ system: An organ system is a group of organs, such as heart plus vessels.
  • D. A single cell type: The heart contains many different cell types.

Sources

Question 5

Where in the lungs does gas exchange between air and blood take place?

  1. Trachea
  2. Bronchi
  3. Alveoli
  4. Pleura
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Alveoli

Oxygen moves from the alveoli (tiny air sacs) into surrounding capillaries, and carbon dioxide moves the opposite way.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Trachea: The trachea is the largest airway and does not exchange gas.
  • B. Bronchi: The bronchi are airways that conduct air.
  • D. Pleura: The pleura is a membrane covering the lungs.

Sources

Body Structures and Organ Systems terms

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