ATI TEAS Reading Questions: Test Your Skills

ATI TEAS 7

Reading

1. The term "bioaccumulate" refers to...

A. The natural decomposition of organic materials.
B. The buildup of a substance in living organisms.
C. The contamination of seawater with chemical pollutants.
D. The physical entanglement of animals with plastic debris.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The passage describes microplastics entering food chains and accumulating in organisms, aligning with bioaccumulation.

2. Which of the following is NOT a function of the integumentary system?

A. Regulation of body temperature
B. Protection from pathogens
C. Synthesis of vitamin D
D. Production of digestive enzymes

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: "Production of digestive enzymes." The integumentary system primarily consists of the skin, hair, nails, and glands. Its main functions include regulating body temperature through processes like sweating and shivering, protecting the body from pathogens and external threats, and synthesizing vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. However, the production of digestive enzymes is not a function of the integumentary system. Digestive enzymes are primarily produced by organs such as the pancreas and salivary glands to aid in the breakdown of food in the digestive system, which is separate from the functions of the integumentary system.

3. Molecular clocks utilize the accumulation of mutations in DNA sequences to estimate the evolutionary divergence time between species. This method relies on the assumption that:

A. The rate of mutation is constant across all genes and all species.
B. Species with more morphological similarities diverged more recently.
C. Mutations are always beneficial and contribute to increased fitness.
D. The fossil record provides the most accurate estimates of evolutionary relationships.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: A molecular clock is a method used to estimate the time of divergence between species by measuring the accumulation of mutations in DNA sequences. This method relies on the assumption that mutations occur at a relatively constant rate over time. If the rate of mutation were not constant, it would be challenging to accurately estimate the evolutionary divergence time between species. Therefore, option A is the most appropriate choice as it aligns with the fundamental principle underlying the molecular clock hypothesis. Option B is incorrect because the assumption that species with more morphological similarities diverged more recently does not directly relate to the concept of molecular clocks and the accumulation of mutations in DNA sequences. Option C is incorrect because mutations are not always beneficial and do not always contribute to increased fitness. Mutations can be neutral or deleterious as well, and their accumulation is what is used to estimate evolutionary di

4. Muscles that work in opposition to each other, producing opposing movements, are called:

A. Synergists
B. Antagonists
C. Agonists
D. Fixators

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Antagonists.' Antagonistic muscles are pairs of muscles that work in opposition to each other to produce opposing movements around a joint. For example, the biceps and triceps in the arm act as antagonists - when the biceps contract to bend the elbow, the triceps relax, and vice versa. Synergists (A) are muscles that work together to create a movement, agonists (C) are primary muscles responsible for generating movement, and fixators (D) are muscles that stabilize joints to allow other movements to occur. Understanding the roles of antagonistic muscles is crucial in biomechanics and exercise science.

5. The body's first line of defense against pathogens includes:

A. Phagocytes
B. Antibodies
C. Memory B cells
D. T lymphocytes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: Phagocytes are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the body's innate immune response, which is the first line of defense against pathogens. Phagocytes engulf and digest foreign particles, such as bacteria and viruses, helping to prevent infection and disease. Antibodies (option B) are produced by B cells and are part of the adaptive immune response, not the first line of defense. Memory B cells (option C) are also part of the adaptive immune response and are involved in mounting a faster and stronger response upon re-exposure to a pathogen. T lymphocytes (option D) are another type of white blood cell involved in the adaptive immune response, specifically in cell-mediated immunity.