Cosmetology Anatomy & Physiology Practice Questions
Anatomy & Physiology makes up 5 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest Cosmetology practice test. Here are 10 of the 20 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. These sets follow the NIC theory exam only: 110 items, 100 scored, 90 minutes (outline effective July 1, 2022). PSI states, including California from April 1, 2026, use a 120-minute outline. This bank is not weighted to PSI.
1. What is the outermost layer of the skin called?
- A.Papillary layer
- B.Epidermis
- C.Dermis
- D.Hypodermis
Answer: B. The epidermis is the thin, protective outer layer with no blood vessels of its own. The dermis beneath it holds the blood vessels, nerves, glands and follicles.
2. In which layer of the epidermis are new skin cells produced?
- A.Stratum lucidum
- B.Stratum granulosum
- C.Stratum corneum
- D.Stratum germinativum
Answer: D. The stratum germinativum (basal layer) is the deepest epidermal layer, where cells divide and melanin is made. The stratum corneum is the dead outer layer that sheds.
3. What pigment gives skin and hair their color?
- A.Melanin
- B.Carotene
- C.Keratin
- D.Collagen
Answer: A. Melanocytes in the basal layer make melanin, which also protects against ultraviolet light. Keratin is the structural protein of skin, hair and nails.
4. Which glands produce perspiration?
- A.Endocrine glands
- B.Lymph glands
- C.Sudoriferous glands
- D.Sebaceous glands
Answer: C. Sudoriferous (sweat) glands regulate body temperature and excrete waste. Sebaceous glands produce oil, not sweat.
5. The oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands is:
- A.Melanin
- B.Lymph
- C.Sebum
- D.Sweat
Answer: C. Sebum lubricates the skin and hair and slows water loss. Overactive sebaceous glands produce oily skin and can lead to clogged follicles.
6. The part of the hair that lies below the surface of the skin is the:
- A.Hair root
- B.Hair cuticle
- C.Hair medulla
- D.Hair shaft
Answer: A. The root is inside the follicle and ends at the bulb; the shaft is the part above the skin that is cut and styled.
7. Which layer of the hair is the outer, overlapping scale layer?
- A.Follicle
- B.Cortex
- C.Medulla
- D.Cuticle
Answer: D. The cuticle's overlapping scales protect the inner cortex and must be opened for chemicals to enter. The follicle is the skin pocket the hair grows from.
8. Which layer of the hair provides most of its strength, elasticity and color?
- A.Papilla
- B.Cortex
- C.Cuticle
- D.Medulla
Answer: B. The cortex holds the melanin and the protein bonds that chemical services change. The medulla is the sometimes-absent center core.
9. Which phase of the hair growth cycle is the active growing phase?
- A.Exogen
- B.Anagen
- C.Catagen
- D.Telogen
Answer: B. Anagen lasts several years and about 90 percent of scalp hair is in it at any time. Catagen is the brief transition and telogen is the resting phase before shedding.
10. The brief transition phase in which the follicle shrinks and growth stops is:
- A.Telogen
- B.Exogen
- C.Anagen
- D.Catagen
Answer: D. Catagen lasts only a few weeks as the follicle detaches from the papilla. The hair then rests in telogen until it is pushed out by a new anagen hair.
Practice all 20 anatomy & physiology questions, and the rest of the 200-question bank, in the free Cosmetology training sets. Questions you miss come back until you have mastered them.
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