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BJC Health Science study materials
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BJC Health Science practice questions

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Question 1Health and Wellness

Which nutrient is the body's main source of quick energy and is found in foods such as bread, rice, and fruit?

  1. Carbohydrate Correct answer.
  2. Protein
  3. Dietary fibre
  4. Vitamin C

Explanation

Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which cells use as their primary fuel, especially during activity. Bread, rice, and fruit are rich in carbohydrates, making them the body's main quick-energy source.

Question 2Health and Wellness

A person wants to reduce the risk of dehydration during a long hike on a hot day. Which action best supports this goal?

  1. Drinking a large amount of water only at the end
  2. Drinking water at regular intervals throughout the hike Correct answer.
  3. Eating salty snacks instead of drinking anything
  4. Waiting until feeling very thirsty before drinking

Explanation

Thirst is a delayed signal, so drinking at regular intervals replaces fluid lost through sweat before dehydration develops. Steady intake helps maintain body temperature and blood volume during prolonged exertion in heat.

Question 3Health and Wellness

Which of the following best describes the role of vitamins in the body?

  1. They are the main building material for muscle tissue
  2. They replace water lost through sweating
  3. They regulate body processes and help release energy from food Correct answer.
  4. They provide most of the body's daily energy supply

Explanation

Vitamins are needed in small amounts to regulate chemical reactions, including those that release energy from food and support growth. They do not supply energy themselves or act as major structural material.

Question 4Health and Wellness

Which behaviour is most likely to reduce the risk of spreading a respiratory infection at school?

  1. Sharing water bottles with classmates
  2. Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow Correct answer.
  3. Touching the face often during lessons
  4. Attending class while feverish

Explanation

Respiratory infections spread through droplets released when a person coughs or sneezes. Covering the mouth and nose reduces the release of droplets into the air and onto surfaces.

Question 5Health and Wellness

Which statement correctly describes the recommended amount of moderate physical activity for adolescents?

  1. About 10 minutes of light activity once a week
  2. Only strength training three times a month
  3. About 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day Correct answer.
  4. Activity is not needed if body weight is normal

Explanation

Health guidance recommends that young people do roughly an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Regular activity supports heart health, bone strength, and mental wellbeing regardless of body weight.

Question 6Health and Wellness

A student feels overwhelmed by exams and has trouble sleeping. Which response is the healthiest first step?

  1. Talking to a trusted adult and planning study breaks Correct answer.
  2. Skipping meals to gain more study time
  3. Staying awake all night before each exam
  4. Ignoring the stress until exams finish

Explanation

Sharing concerns with a trusted adult and organising manageable study breaks addresses stress at its source and protects sleep. Support and planning help the student regain a sense of control over workload.

Question 7Health and Wellness

Which food group is the richest source of calcium, a mineral important for strong bones and teeth?

  1. White rice
  2. Fresh fruit
  3. Milk and dairy products Correct answer.
  4. Vegetable oil

Explanation

Milk and dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt contain high levels of calcium, which is used to build and maintain bone and tooth structure. Other foods supply calcium in smaller amounts.

Question 8Health and Wellness

Which practice best prevents foodborne illness in a home kitchen?

  1. Thawing frozen chicken on the kitchen counter overnight
  2. Storing raw meat above ready-to-eat food
  3. Tasting food to check whether it is fully cooked
  4. Washing hands and surfaces before and after handling raw meat Correct answer.

Explanation

Handwashing and cleaning surfaces reduce the transfer of bacteria from raw meat to other foods. This practice, together with thorough cooking and safe storage, lowers the risk of food poisoning.

Question 9Health and Wellness

Which statement about the health effects of tobacco smoking is accurate?

  1. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease and several cancers Correct answer.
  2. Smoking improves lung capacity over time
  3. Smoking is safe if a person exercises regularly
  4. Smoking harms only the lungs and no other organs

Explanation

Tobacco smoke contains harmful substances that damage blood vessels and DNA, raising the risk of heart disease and cancers in many parts of the body. Exercise does not cancel these risks.

Question 10Health and Wellness

What does the term 'body mass index' (BMI) compare in order to estimate weight status?

  1. Weight and height Correct answer.
  2. Diet and exercise habits
  3. Blood pressure and pulse
  4. Height and age

Explanation

BMI is calculated from a person's weight and height using a standard formula. It gives a rough indicator of weight status but does not directly measure body fat or fitness.

Question 11Health and Wellness

A teenager is offered a cigarette by a friend at a party. Which response best demonstrates refusal skills?

  1. Taking the cigarette to avoid embarrassment
  2. Saying firmly 'No thanks, I don't smoke' and walking away Correct answer.
  3. Accepting it but promising not to light it
  4. Ignoring the friend and saying nothing

Explanation

Refusal skills involve giving a clear, confident 'no' and removing oneself from the situation. This combination protects the person's health choices while reducing pressure to comply.

Question 12Health and Wellness

Which of the following is a recognised benefit of regular physical activity for mental health?

  1. It removes the need for sleep
  2. It makes people immune to anxiety
  3. It guarantees freedom from all mental illness
  4. It can reduce symptoms of stress and low mood Correct answer.

Explanation

Regular activity releases chemicals that improve mood and can reduce feelings of stress and low mood. It supports mental wellbeing but does not guarantee freedom from mental illness.

Question 13Health and Wellness

Which of these describes a balanced diet?

  1. Eating a variety of foods in the right proportions to meet energy and nutrient needs Correct answer.
  2. Eating only fruit and vegetables for every meal
  3. Eating as much as possible to build strength
  4. Avoiding all fats and carbohydrates permanently

Explanation

A balanced diet includes a variety of foods in appropriate proportions so that energy and nutrient needs are met. Variety helps supply all essential nutrients while avoiding excess.

Question 14Health and Wellness

Which factor most directly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes?

  1. Drinking plenty of water
  2. Regular physical activity
  3. Adequate sleep each night
  4. A diet high in sugary foods and excess body weight Correct answer.

Explanation

Excess body weight and diets high in added sugars reduce the body's ability to use insulin effectively, raising the risk of type 2 diabetes. Regular activity and good sleep help lower that risk.

Question 15Health and Wellness

Which of the following is the best example of a communicable disease?

  1. Influenza Correct answer.
  2. Asthma
  3. Scurvy
  4. Type 2 diabetes

Explanation

Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens that can pass from one person to another. Influenza is caused by a virus and spreads through droplets, making it communicable.

Question 16Health and Wellness

A student wants to improve sleep quality. Which habit is most likely to help?

  1. Using a bright phone screen in bed for an hour
  2. Varying bedtime by several hours each night
  3. Drinking strong coffee just before going to bed
  4. Keeping a consistent bedtime and limiting screens before sleep Correct answer.

Explanation

A consistent sleep schedule helps regulate the body's internal clock, and reducing bright screens before bed supports the release of sleep hormones. Together these habits improve sleep quality.

Question 17Health and Wellness

Which statement about the immune system is correct?

  1. It only works after a person becomes seriously ill
  2. It prevents all infections completely
  3. It defends the body against pathogens such as bacteria and viruses Correct answer.
  4. It is not affected by nutrition or sleep

Explanation

The immune system recognises and defends against pathogens including bacteria and viruses. Its function can be influenced by factors such as nutrition, sleep, and stress.

Question 18Health and Wellness

Which of these is a recognised health risk of excessive alcohol consumption?

  1. Improved liver function
  2. Better judgement in risky situations
  3. Sharper reflexes and faster reaction time
  4. Damage to the liver and increased risk of accidents Correct answer.

Explanation

Alcohol is processed by the liver, and heavy use can damage liver tissue over time. Alcohol also impairs coordination and judgement, raising the risk of accidents and injuries.

Question 19Health and Wellness

A person wants to reduce the amount of salt in their diet. Which change would be most effective?

  1. Drinking more water with each meal
  2. Adding salt at the table instead of during cooking
  3. Choosing fresh foods and limiting processed snacks Correct answer.
  4. Eating more salted crackers

Explanation

Much of the salt in typical diets comes from processed foods, so choosing fresh foods and limiting processed snacks reduces intake effectively. Adding salt at the table still increases total intake.

Question 20Health and Wellness

Which statement best explains why immunisation helps protect a community?

  1. It replaces the need for clean water and hygiene
  2. It cures every disease after symptoms appear
  3. It works only for people who are already ill
  4. It reduces the spread of infection when enough people are vaccinated Correct answer.

Explanation

When a high proportion of a community is vaccinated, the spread of the pathogen slows, which protects those who cannot be vaccinated. This is known as herd or community protection.

Question 21Health and Wellness

Which of the following best describes how stress can affect physical health?

  1. Prolonged stress can raise heart rate and weaken immune defences Correct answer.
  2. Stress always improves digestion and sleep
  3. Stress has no effect on the body
  4. Stress only affects thoughts and never the body

Explanation

During stress the body releases hormones that raise heart rate and prepare for action. When stress is prolonged, these responses can strain the body and weaken immune defences.

Question 22Health and Wellness

Which of these is an example of a protective health behaviour rather than a risk behaviour?

  1. Driving without a seatbelt
  2. Wearing a helmet when cycling Correct answer.
  3. Skipping breakfast every day
  4. Starting to vape at a young age

Explanation

Protective behaviours reduce the chance of injury or illness, and wearing a helmet lowers the risk of head injury in a fall. The other options increase health risks.

Question 23Health and Wellness

A student is planning a weekly routine to improve overall wellbeing. Which plan best reflects good health practices?

  1. Study late every night and skip exercise to save time
  2. Balance study, regular exercise, balanced meals, and adequate sleep Correct answer.
  3. Rely on energy drinks to replace sleep
  4. Eat one large meal a day and avoid water

Explanation

Overall wellbeing depends on several interacting habits, including activity, nutrition, sleep, and managing study demands. A balanced routine supports energy, concentration, and long-term health.

Question 24Health and Wellness

Which statement about the relationship between diet and dental health is correct?

  1. Sugary foods and drinks increase the risk of tooth decay Correct answer.
  2. Calcium has no effect on teeth
  3. Brushing has no influence on dental health
  4. Frequent sugary snacks between meals help protect teeth

Explanation

Sugar feeds bacteria in the mouth that produce acids, which damage tooth enamel and cause decay. Limiting sugary snacks and brushing regularly help protect teeth.

Question 25Health and Wellness

Which of the following best explains why clean water and sanitation are important for public health?

  1. They remove the need for medical care
  2. They make all foods safe to eat
  3. They prevent all types of disease
  4. They reduce the spread of waterborne diseases Correct answer.

Explanation

Contaminated water and poor sanitation allow pathogens to spread, causing diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Clean water and safe disposal of waste interrupt this route of transmission.

Question 26Health and Wellness

Which nutrient is the body's main source of energy and is found in foods such as bread, rice, and potatoes?

  1. Protein
  2. Calcium
  3. Vitamin C
  4. Carbohydrate Correct answer.

Explanation

Carbohydrates are the body's preferred and most readily available energy source, broken down into glucose to fuel cells. Foods like bread, rice, and potatoes are rich in starch, a complex carbohydrate. Protein and vitamins serve other roles and are not the primary energy source.

Question 27Health and Wellness

Which action is most effective for preventing the spread of a cold virus when you sneeze?

  1. Sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and washing your hands afterwards Correct answer.
  2. Sneezing into your hands and then touching a door handle
  3. Sneezing into a handkerchief and putting it back in your pocket
  4. Sneezing into the open air and then continuing your activity

Explanation

Cold viruses spread mainly through droplets from sneezing and coughing, and through contaminated hands. Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or the elbow reduces droplet release, and washing hands removes viruses from the skin. This combination interrupts the main transmission routes.

Question 28Health and Wellness

A person who feels thirsty, urinates frequently, and has blurred vision should be evaluated for which condition?

  1. Seasonal allergies
  2. Iron-deficiency anaemia
  3. Common cold
  4. Diabetes mellitus Correct answer.

Explanation

Excessive thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision are classic warning signs of diabetes mellitus, caused by high blood glucose levels. These symptoms occur because the kidneys work harder to remove excess glucose, leading to fluid loss and dehydration. Early evaluation allows proper management and reduces complications.

Question 29Health and Wellness

Which statement best explains why vaccination can protect people who have not been vaccinated?

  1. Vaccines directly kill bacteria and viruses in the environment.
  2. Vaccines are only effective if everyone takes them at the same time.
  3. When enough people are immune, the chain of transmission is broken, reducing exposure for everyone. Correct answer.
  4. Vaccines cure all diseases once a person is infected.

Explanation

High vaccination coverage creates herd immunity: the pathogen cannot easily find susceptible hosts, so outbreaks are less likely to spread. This indirect protection shields those who cannot be vaccinated, such as newborns or people with weakened immune systems. The principle relies on reducing the number of susceptible individuals in the population.

Question 30Health and Wellness

A community has limited access to fresh produce and relies on a small convenience store for food. Which term best describes this situation?

  1. Food desert Correct answer.
  2. Food security
  3. Food fortification
  4. Organic farming

Explanation

A food desert is an area where residents have limited access to affordable, nutritious food, often because supermarkets are distant and only convenience stores with processed foods are nearby. This environment can contribute to poor diet and diet-related diseases. Food security, by contrast, means reliable access to sufficient nutritious food.

Question 31Human Body Systems and Functions

Which structure separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity?

  1. The mediastinum
  2. The peritoneum
  3. The diaphragm Correct answer.
  4. The pleura

Explanation

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped sheet of skeletal muscle that forms the floor of the thoracic cavity and the roof of the abdominal cavity. Its contraction increases thoracic volume during inspiration. The other structures named are membranes or partitions located elsewhere.

Question 32Human Body Systems and Functions

Which formed element of blood carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues?

  1. Platelets
  2. Monocytes
  3. Lymphocytes
  4. Erythrocytes Correct answer.

Explanation

Erythrocytes contain haemoglobin, an iron-containing pigment that binds oxygen in the pulmonary capillaries and releases it in peripheral tissues. Platelets support clotting, while lymphocytes and monocytes are white cells involved in immunity.

Question 33Human Body Systems and Functions

In which chamber of the heart does oxygenated blood first arrive from the lungs?

  1. Left ventricle
  2. Right ventricle
  3. Right atrium
  4. Left atrium Correct answer.

Explanation

Pulmonary veins deliver oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium. Blood then passes through the mitral valve into the left ventricle, which pumps it into the aorta. The right side of the heart handles deoxygenated blood.

Question 34Human Body Systems and Functions

Which part of the nephron is the main site of glomerular filtration?

  1. The collecting duct
  2. The renal corpuscle Correct answer.
  3. The distal convoluted tubule
  4. The loop of Henle

Explanation

The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus enclosed in Bowman's capsule, where hydrostatic pressure forces water and small solutes into the capsular space. The tubules that follow mainly reabsorb and secrete rather than perform bulk filtration.

Question 35Human Body Systems and Functions

Which type of muscle tissue is under voluntary control and shows striations?

  1. Cardiac muscle
  2. Myoepithelial tissue
  3. Smooth muscle
  4. Skeletal muscle Correct answer.

Explanation

Skeletal muscle is attached to bones, is innervated by somatic motor neurons, and therefore contracts voluntarily. Its actin and myosin filaments are arranged in regular sarcomeres, which produce the striped appearance. Cardiac and smooth muscle are involuntary.

Question 36Human Body Systems and Functions

Which vitamin is absorbed mainly in the ileum and is required for calcium absorption?

  1. Vitamin B12
  2. Vitamin C
  3. Vitamin D Correct answer.
  4. Vitamin K

Explanation

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin absorbed with dietary lipids in the small intestine. Its active form promotes calcium absorption in the gut and supports bone mineralisation. Vitamin B12 is also absorbed in the ileum but serves different roles.

Question 37Human Body Systems and Functions

Which structure connects the pharynx to the stomach and carries food by peristalsis?

  1. The oesophagus Correct answer.
  2. The trachea
  3. The duodenum
  4. The larynx

Explanation

The oesophagus is a muscular tube that propels swallowed food from the pharynx to the stomach through coordinated peristaltic waves. The trachea and larynx belong to the airway, and the duodenum is the first part of the small intestine.

Question 38Human Body Systems and Functions

Which hormone lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake and glycogen storage?

  1. Cortisol
  2. Adrenaline
  3. Insulin Correct answer.
  4. Glucagon

Explanation

Insulin is released by pancreatic beta cells when blood glucose rises. It increases glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue and stimulates glycogen synthesis in the liver, lowering blood glucose. The other hormones listed raise blood glucose.

Question 39Human Body Systems and Functions

A patient's ECG shows a prolonged PR interval with some P waves not followed by QRS complexes. Which conduction structure is most likely impaired?

  1. The sinoatrial node
  2. The bundle of His
  3. The Purkinje fibres
  4. The atrioventricular node Correct answer.

Explanation

The PR interval reflects conduction delay through the atrioventricular node. A prolonged PR interval with dropped beats indicates impaired atrioventricular conduction, so some atrial impulses fail to reach the ventricles. Sinus node disease would alter P wave formation rather than this relationship.

Question 40Human Body Systems and Functions

During inspiration at rest, which change occurs?

  1. The intrapulmonary pressure rises above atmospheric pressure
  2. The external intercostal muscles contract and the ribs rise Correct answer.
  3. The thoracic volume decreases
  4. The diaphragm relaxes and moves upward

Explanation

Quiet inspiration is active: the diaphragm contracts and flattens while the external intercostals lift the ribs. This enlarges thoracic volume, lowers intrapulmonary pressure below atmospheric pressure, and draws air inward. Relaxation produces expiration.

Question 41Human Body Systems and Functions

A person hyperventilates for one minute. Which immediate blood change is most likely?

  1. A fall in arterial carbon dioxide with a rise in pH Correct answer.
  2. A rise in arterial oxygen saturation to above 100 percent
  3. A fall in plasma bicarbonate with no change in carbon dioxide
  4. A rise in arterial carbon dioxide with a fall in pH

Explanation

Hyperventilation washes out carbon dioxide faster than it is produced, lowering arterial carbon dioxide. Because carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid in blood, less of it means a higher pH, producing respiratory alkalosis. Oxygen saturation cannot exceed full saturation.

Question 42Human Body Systems and Functions

Which process in the nephron returns most filtered water and sodium to the blood?

  1. Excretion through the ureter
  2. Filtration at the glomerulus
  3. Tubular secretion in the proximal tubule
  4. Tubular reabsorption in the proximal tubule Correct answer.

Explanation

About two-thirds of filtered water and sodium is reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule, largely coupled to active sodium transport. Secretion moves substances from blood into filtrate, and excretion is the final removal of urine from the body.

Question 43Human Body Systems and Functions

A patient lacks intrinsic factor. Which nutrient deficiency is most likely to develop?

  1. Calcium
  2. Iron
  3. Vitamin C
  4. Vitamin B12 Correct answer.

Explanation

Intrinsic factor is secreted by gastric parietal cells and binds vitamin B12 so it can be absorbed in the terminal ileum. Without it, B12 absorption fails and megaloblastic anaemia can develop. Iron and calcium absorption do not depend on intrinsic factor.

Question 44Human Body Systems and Functions

Which structure of the eye changes shape to focus light from near objects?

  1. The iris
  2. The lens Correct answer.
  3. The cornea
  4. The retina

Explanation

The lens is elastic and alters its curvature through the ciliary muscles, a process called accommodation. This adjusts refractive power so that images of near objects fall on the retina. The cornea provides most fixed refraction but does not change shape.

Question 45Human Body Systems and Functions

Which sequence correctly traces the path of a nerve impulse through a reflex arc?

  1. Receptor, sensory neuron, integration centre, motor neuron, effector Correct answer.
  2. Effector, sensory neuron, integration centre, motor neuron, receptor
  3. Receptor, motor neuron, integration centre, sensory neuron, effector
  4. Receptor, integration centre, sensory neuron, effector, motor neuron

Explanation

A reflex arc begins with a receptor detecting a stimulus and sending impulses along a sensory neuron to an integration centre, usually in the spinal cord. A motor neuron then carries the response to an effector such as a muscle. This arrangement allows rapid responses without waiting for higher processing.

Question 46Human Body Systems and Functions

Which component of the immune system provides a rapid, non-specific first line of defence against pathogens?

  1. Cytotoxic T cells
  2. Phagocytic neutrophils Correct answer.
  3. Memory B cells
  4. Plasma cells

Explanation

Neutrophils are phagocytes that migrate quickly to sites of infection and engulf pathogens without recognising a specific antigen. This innate response acts within hours. Memory B cells, cytotoxic T cells, and plasma cells all belong to the slower, antigen-specific adaptive response.

Question 47Human Body Systems and Functions

A person's stroke volume is 70 mL and heart rate is 60 beats per minute. What is the cardiac output?

  1. 130 mL per minute
  2. 1.2 L per minute
  3. 7.0 L per minute
  4. 4.2 L per minute Correct answer.

Explanation

Cardiac output equals stroke volume multiplied by heart rate. Here 70 mL multiplied by 60 beats per minute gives 4200 mL per minute, or 4.2 L per minute, which is a typical resting value. Adding the two numbers instead of multiplying them gives a common error.

Question 48Human Body Systems and Functions

Which change would most increase the rate of oxygen diffusion from alveoli into pulmonary capillary blood?

  1. A decrease in alveolar surface area
  2. An increase in alveolar wall thickness
  3. A decrease in the partial pressure gradient of oxygen
  4. An increase in the partial pressure gradient of oxygen Correct answer.

Explanation

Fick's law states that diffusion rate is proportional to the surface area and the concentration gradient and inversely proportional to membrane thickness. Raising the alveolar-to-blood oxygen gradient therefore speeds diffusion. Thickening the membrane or reducing area slows gas exchange.

Question 49Human Body Systems and Functions

Which statement best describes the role of the loop of Henle in producing concentrated urine?

  1. It establishes a medullary osmotic gradient that allows water reabsorption from the collecting duct Correct answer.
  2. It reabsorbs all remaining urea before urine leaves the kidney
  3. It actively secretes glucose into the filtrate to draw water back
  4. It filters plasma under high hydrostatic pressure

Explanation

The descending limb is permeable to water while the ascending limb actively transports ions out, creating a high solute concentration deep in the medulla. This gradient lets the collecting duct reclaim water under ADH control, concentrating the urine. Filtration occurs earlier, at the glomerulus.

Question 50Human Body Systems and Functions

Which structure of the respiratory tract contains the vocal cords?

  1. The larynx Correct answer.
  2. The bronchi
  3. The pharynx
  4. The alveoli

Explanation

The larynx is the cartilaginous structure at the top of the trachea that houses the vocal cords. Air passing between the cords causes them to vibrate and produce sound. The pharynx is a shared passage for air and food, and the bronchi and alveoli lie further down the tract.