Tissues, Membranes, and Homeostasis Practice Questions

42 multiple-choice questions on Tissues, membranes, and homeostasis for paramedic and EMT students, from Chapter 8 (Anatomy and Physiology). Read each question, pick your answer, then tap Show answer to check it and read the explanation.

42 practice questions

1. Which tissue type covers body surfaces and lines body cavities and organs?

   1. A. Epithelial
   2. B. Nervous
   3. C. Connective
   4. D. Muscle
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Epithelial

   Epithelial tissue protects, absorbs, and secretes, and it forms glands.

2. Bone, blood, cartilage, and fat are examples of which tissue type?

   1. A. Muscle
   2. B. Epithelial
   3. C. Connective
   4. D. Nervous
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Connective

   Connective tissue supports, binds, and transports. Blood counts as a fluid connective tissue.

3. What are the four basic tissue types?

   1. A. Skin, bone, blood, nerve
   2. B. Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous
   3. C. Serous, mucous, synovial, cutaneous
   4. D. Epithelial, cartilage, muscle, fat
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous

   Every organ is built from these four tissue types.

4. Serous membranes line:

   1. A. Passages open to the outside
   2. B. Closed body cavities
   3. C. Only the joint cavities
   4. D. The outer body surface
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   Answer: B. Closed body cavities

   Serous membranes secrete fluid that lets organs glide. Examples are the pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum.

5. Mucous membranes line:

   1. A. The pericardial cavity
   2. B. Passages open to outside
   3. C. The peritoneal cavity
   4. D. The synovial joint spaces
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   Answer: B. Passages open to outside

   Mucous membranes trap particles and protect openings to the outside world.

6. Homeostasis is mainly maintained by which mechanism?

   1. A. Feedforward loops
   2. B. Positive feedback
   3. C. Open-loop control
   4. D. Negative feedback
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   Answer: D. Negative feedback

   Negative feedback reverses a change to return the body to its set point, as with temperature, glucose, and blood pressure. Open-loop control acts without measuring the result, so it cannot hold a variable at a set point. Positive feedback amplifies a change, and feedforward responses only anticipate one.

7. Which is an example of positive feedback?

   1. A. Uterine contractions during labor
   2. B. Body temperature regulation
   3. C. Blood glucose regulation
   4. D. Baroreceptor control of blood pressure
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   Answer: A. Uterine contractions during labor

   Positive feedback amplifies a change until an endpoint is reached, as in childbirth or clot formation.

8. Simple squamous epithelium is well suited for:

   1. A. Diffusion and filtration
   2. B. Protection from abrasion
   3. C. Muscle contraction
   4. D. Secretion of mucus
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   Answer: A. Diffusion and filtration

   It lines the alveoli and capillaries. It works well because it is thin.

9. Stratified squamous epithelium is found where:

   1. A. Gas exchange takes place
   2. B. Rapid diffusion is needed
   3. C. Absorption of nutrients occurs
   4. D. Abrasion resistance is needed
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Abrasion resistance is needed

   Multiple layers resist wear. Examples include the skin and esophagus.

10. Glands are formed from which tissue type?

    1. A. Nervous
    2. B. Connective
    3. C. Epithelial
    4. D. Muscle
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Epithelial

    Epithelium both lines surfaces and secretes.

11. Exocrine glands differ from endocrine glands because they:

    1. A. Secrete through ducts
    2. B. Lack any ducts
    3. C. Secrete only into lymph
    4. D. Release hormones into blood
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Secrete through ducts

    Sweat and salivary glands are exocrine.

12. Adipose tissue functions in:

    1. A. Rapid nerve impulse conduction
    2. B. Antibody production
    3. C. Energy storage and insulation
    4. D. Oxygen transport to tissues
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    Answer: C. Energy storage and insulation

    It is a form of connective tissue. It also cushions organs.

13. Which is the most abundant protein fiber in connective tissue?

    1. A. Keratin filaments
    2. B. Actin filaments
    3. C. Elastin fibers
    4. D. Collagen
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Collagen

    It provides tensile strength.

14. Elastic fibers allow tissue to:

    1. A. Conduct impulses
    2. B. Resist stretching
    3. C. Stretch and recoil
    4. D. Contract actively
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    Answer: C. Stretch and recoil

    They are prominent in arteries and lung tissue.

15. Cartilage differs from bone in that cartilage:

    1. A. Has a richer blood supply
    2. B. Is harder and more rigid
    3. C. Lacks a direct blood supply
    4. D. Contains no living cells
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Lacks a direct blood supply

    Nutrients reach it by diffusion. It therefore heals slowly.

16. Hyaline cartilage is found:

    1. A. Only in the external ear
    2. B. In the dermis of the skin
    3. C. On joint surfaces and trachea
    4. D. In tendons and ligaments
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    Answer: C. On joint surfaces and trachea

    It provides a smooth, low-friction surface. It is also found at the rib ends.

17. Which tissue type conducts electrical impulses?

    1. A. Muscle
    2. B. Connective
    3. C. Nervous
    4. D. Epithelial
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Nervous

    Neurons transmit; neuroglia support them.

18. Neuroglia function to:

    1. A. Contract muscle fibers
    2. B. Support and protect neurons
    3. C. Release hormones into blood
    4. D. Transmit nerve impulses
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Support and protect neurons

    They outnumber neurons in the brain.

19. Smooth muscle tissue is described as:

    1. A. Striated and voluntary
    2. B. Nonstriated and voluntary
    3. C. Striated and involuntary
    4. D. Nonstriated and involuntary
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Nonstriated and involuntary

    It lines hollow organs and vessels.

20. Cardiac muscle tissue is:

    1. A. Nonstriated and involuntary
    2. B. Striated and involuntary
    3. C. Striated and voluntary
    4. D. Nonstriated and voluntary
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Striated and involuntary

    Intercalated discs allow rapid impulse spread. It also has intercalated discs.

21. The pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum are examples of:

    1. A. Mucous membranes
    2. B. Cutaneous membranes
    3. C. Serous membranes
    4. D. Synovial membranes
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Serous membranes

    They secrete lubricating fluid.

22. Synovial membranes are found:

    1. A. Lining the airway
    2. B. Lining the abdomen
    3. C. Lining joint cavities
    4. D. Covering the skin
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Lining joint cavities

    They produce fluid that lubricates joints.

23. The cutaneous membrane is another name for:

    1. A. The pericardium
    2. B. The skin
    3. C. The pleura
    4. D. The peritoneum
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The skin

    It is the largest membrane of the body.

24. Mucous membranes protect by:

    1. A. Trapping particles in mucus
    2. B. Secreting fluid that cuts friction
    3. C. Absorbing nutrients only
    4. D. Contracting to expel debris
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Trapping particles in mucus

    They line passages open to the outside. Mucus also keeps surfaces moist. Sticky mucus traps dust and microbes so cilia or swallowing can remove them. Secreting a thin, slippery fluid to reduce friction between organs is the job of serous membranes such as the pleura and peritoneum.

25. Tissue repair by regeneration means:

    1. A. The damaged area is removed
    2. B. Collagen replaces lost cells
    3. C. Scar tissue fills the injury
    4. D. Like cells replace damaged ones
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Like cells replace damaged ones

    Skin and liver regenerate well.

26. Fibrosis during healing produces:

    1. A. Complete regeneration
    2. B. Nonfunctional scar tissue
    3. C. New functional tissue
    4. D. Identical replacement cells
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Nonfunctional scar tissue

    Cardiac muscle heals this way after infarction.

27. Homeostasis refers to:

    1. A. Unchanging internal conditions
    2. B. A stable internal environment
    3. C. Continuous body growth
    4. D. Random internal variation
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A stable internal environment

    It requires continuous adjustment. It is maintained despite external change.

28. A feedback loop requires:

    1. A. An effector and set point only
    2. B. A sensor and effector only
    3. C. A control center only
    4. D. Sensor, control center, effector
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Sensor, control center, effector

    The control center compares the value to a set point.

29. Body temperature regulation is an example of:

    1. A. No feedback
    2. B. Feedforward only
    3. C. Negative feedback
    4. D. Positive feedback
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Negative feedback

    Rising temperature triggers cooling responses.

30. Blood clotting is an example of:

    1. A. Feedforward control
    2. B. Positive feedback
    3. C. Negative feedback
    4. D. A random process
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Positive feedback

    The loop ends when the vessel is sealed. Each step accelerates the next.

31. The hypothalamus contributes to homeostasis by:

    1. A. Producing bile for digestion
    2. B. Acting as a control center
    3. C. Storing glycogen for energy
    4. D. Filtering blood plasma
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Acting as a control center

    It links the nervous and endocrine systems. It controls temperature, thirst, and hormone release.

32. Failure of homeostatic mechanisms leads to:

    1. A. Restoration by positive feedback
    2. B. Greater physiologic reserve
    3. C. Tighter control of set points
    4. D. Illness or death
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Illness or death

    Most disease reflects homeostatic failure. When negative feedback can no longer correct a change, the variable drifts out of range and cells are injured. Positive feedback amplifies the change instead of restoring balance, and failing control means less reserve and looser, not tighter, regulation.

33. The normal core body temperature is approximately:

    1. A. 37.0 degrees C
    2. B. 35.0 degrees C
    3. C. 39.0 degrees C
    4. D. 34.0 degrees C
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 37.0 degrees C

    That is about 98.6 degrees F.

34. Shivering raises body temperature by:

    1. A. Triggering sweating
    2. B. Dilating skin vessels
    3. C. Slowing metabolism
    4. D. Generating muscle heat
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Generating muscle heat

    It is an effector response controlled by the hypothalamus.

35. Vasoconstriction of skin vessels in a cold environment serves to:

    1. A. Release heat to the air
    2. B. Cool the body core
    3. C. Conserve core heat
    4. D. Increase sweating
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Conserve core heat

    It is why extremities get cold first.

36. A set point in a feedback system is:

    1. A. The target value maintained
    2. B. The minimum allowed value
    3. C. The maximum allowed value
    4. D. A random reference value
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The target value maintained

    Fever represents a raised set point.

37. Which organ system is most directly responsible for removing metabolic wastes from the blood?

    1. A. Integumentary
    2. B. Urinary
    3. C. Skeletal
    4. D. Respiratory only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Urinary

    The lungs remove carbon dioxide.

38. Which two systems most directly regulate blood pH?

    1. A. Endocrine and integumentary
    2. B. Digestive and urinary
    3. C. Cardiovascular and respiratory
    4. D. Respiratory and urinary
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Respiratory and urinary

    Lungs act quickly; kidneys act slowly. The lungs adjust carbon dioxide and the kidneys excrete acid and retain bicarbonate. The digestive tract can lose acid or bicarbonate through vomiting or diarrhea but does not regulate pH, and the cardiovascular system carries buffers without adjusting them.

39. Tissue that binds and supports other tissues is:

    1. A. Epithelial
    2. B. Nervous
    3. C. Connective
    4. D. Muscle
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Connective

    It includes bone, blood, cartilage, and fat.

40. Which tissue has the greatest capacity for regeneration?

    1. A. Epithelium
    2. B. Nervous tissue
    3. C. Cardiac muscle
    4. D. Cartilage
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Epithelium

    Skin and gut lining replace themselves continuously.

41. Which tissue has the least capacity to regenerate?

    1. A. Spongy bone
    2. B. CNS neurons
    3. C. Skin epidermis
    4. D. Liver parenchyma
    Show answer

    Answer: B. CNS neurons

    This is why brain and spinal cord injuries are so lasting.

42. Aging affects tissues generally by:

    1. A. Reducing elasticity and reserve
    2. B. Increasing cell numbers
    3. C. Increasing tissue elasticity
    4. D. Speeding wound healing
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    Answer: A. Reducing elasticity and reserve

    Reserve capacity declines in every system. Repair also slows.