TEAS 7 Biology: Master Key Concepts

ATI TEAS 7

Biology

1. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living organisms?

A. Made up of cells
B. Able to reproduce
C. Require energy
D. Non-motile

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Rationale: A) Made up of cells: All living organisms are composed of one or more cells. This is a fundamental characteristic of life as defined by cell theory. B) Able to reproduce: One of the key characteristics of living organisms is their ability to reproduce and pass on genetic information to offspring. C) Require energy: Living organisms require energy to carry out various life processes such as growth, reproduction, and maintenance of homeostasis. This energy is obtained through processes like metabolism. D) Non-motile: While some living organisms may be non-motile (unable to move on their own), movement is a common characteristic of many living organisms. Motility allows organisms to respond to their environment, find food, escape predators, and carry out other essential activities.

2. Which component of the nervous system is responsible for controlling voluntary movements, such as the contraction of skeletal muscles?

A. Autonomic nervous system
B. Peripheral nervous system
C. Somatic nervous system
D. Sympathetic nervous system

Correct answer: c

Rationale: The correct answer is C, the somatic nervous system. The somatic nervous system is responsible for controlling voluntary movements, such as the contraction of skeletal muscles. This system consists of motor neurons that send signals from the central nervous system to the skeletal muscles, allowing us to consciously control our movements. The autonomic nervous system (A) controls involuntary actions like heart rate and digestion, the peripheral nervous system (B) includes all nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, and the sympathetic nervous system (D) is a division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the fight-or-flight response. Therefore, the somatic nervous system is specifically involved in voluntary movements.

3. During embryonic development, most vertebrates exhibit structures called pharyngeal pouches. These pouches eventually develop into different structures in various vertebrate groups, such as the human jaw and inner ear. Pharyngeal pouches are an example of:

A. Analogous structures with different evolutionary origins but similar functions
B. Homologous structures with a common evolutionary origin but diverse functions
C. Vestigial structures that no longer serve a vital function in some organisms
D. Atavisms, the reappearance of a trait absent in recent generations

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rationale: Pharyngeal pouches in vertebrates are an example of homologous structures because they share a common evolutionary origin. Despite developing into different structures in various vertebrate groups, such as the jaw and inner ear in humans, these structures originated from the same ancestral feature. This concept of homology highlights the evolutionary relationship between different species and how structures can be modified over time to serve different functions while retaining a common origin.

4. Which of the following best describes a balanced force acting on an object?

A. The object remains at rest
B. The object moves with constant velocity
C. The object accelerates
D. The object's mass changes

Correct answer: b

Rationale: When balanced forces act on an object, the object remains in a state of constant velocity (including at rest).

5. Where does cellular respiration, the process of converting chemical energy into ATP, take place in eukaryotic cells?

A. Nucleus
B. Ribosomes
C. Mitochondria
D. Golgi apparatus

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: Cellular respiration, the process of converting chemical energy into ATP, takes place in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells. The mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell because they are responsible for generating most of the cell's ATP through the process of cellular respiration. This process involves the breakdown of glucose and other organic molecules to produce ATP, which is the primary energy currency of the cell. The other organelles listed in the options (nucleus, ribosomes, and Golgi apparatus) do not play a direct role in cellular respiration.