adaptive radiation refers to the evolutionary process where

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS 7 practice test science

1. Adaptive radiation refers to the evolutionary process where:

A. A single ancestral species diversifies into multiple descendant species due to ecological pressures in a heterogeneous environment.
B. Two unrelated species evolve similar adaptations in response to similar environments, leading to convergent evolution.
C. A population becomes increasingly well-adapted to its current environment through continued natural selection.
D. The fossil record exhibits gaps or missing links in the evolutionary history of a lineage.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: - Adaptive radiation is a process where a single ancestral species diversifies into multiple descendant species to exploit different ecological niches within a heterogeneous environment. - This diversification occurs due to the different selective pressures present in various habitats, leading to the evolution of distinct traits and adaptations in different descendant species. - Option A accurately describes the process of adaptive radiation, where the initial species undergoes rapid speciation to occupy different ecological roles and adapt to diverse environmental conditions. - Options B, C, and D do not accurately describe adaptive radiation but refer to other evolutionary processes such as convergent evolution, natural selection, and gaps in the fossil record, respectively.

2. What is the net force acting on a car traveling at a constant speed on a straight road?

A. A force equal to its weight pushing upwards
B. A force equal to its weight pushing downwards
C. A force equal to its engine power pushing forward
D. No net force

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a car is traveling at a constant speed on a straight road, it indicates that the forces acting on the car are balanced. In this scenario, there is no acceleration or deceleration, meaning the net force on the car is zero. If there was a net force present, it would cause the car to either accelerate or decelerate. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because in a situation where a car is moving at a constant speed, the forces are balanced, and there is no unbalanced force acting in any specific direction.

3. What is the protective fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord?

A. Blood
B. Cerebrospinal fluid
C. Myelin sheath
D. Insulin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cerebrospinal fluid is the protective fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It acts as a cushion to protect these vital organs from injury and provides nutrients and removes waste products. Blood, myelin sheath, and insulin do not serve as the protective fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Blood carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, myelin sheath is a protective covering of nerve fibers, and insulin is a hormone involved in regulating blood sugar levels.

4. Which of the following is a true statement about dominance in genetics?

A. All genes adhere to Mendel’s law of dominance.
B. A dominant allele will always be expressed.
C. When two dominant alleles are present, the resulting phenotype will express both traits.
D. There are three or more alleles possible for all genes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In genetics, dominance refers to the relationship between two different alleles of a gene where one allele (dominant) masks the expression of another allele (recessive) in an individual's phenotype. The correct statement about dominance is that a dominant allele will always be expressed in the phenotype, even in the presence of a recessive allele. This means that if an individual has at least one dominant allele for a particular trait, that trait will be expressed. Choice A is incorrect because not all genes follow Mendel’s law of dominance; exceptions do exist. Choice C is incorrect because when two dominant alleles are present, only one will be expressed due to complete dominance. Choice D is incorrect as there can be more than three alleles for a gene, and not all genes have three or more alleles.

5. What is the length of DNA that can code for a particular protein?

A. Chromosome
B. Nucleotide
C. Gene
D. Ribosome

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Gene. A gene is a specific segment of DNA that contains the information necessary to produce a particular protein. Genes are responsible for coding proteins, and each gene carries the instructions for a specific protein. Chromosomes consist of many genes and are not a specific length that codes for a protein. Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and are not a length that codes for a protein. Ribosomes are cellular organelles involved in protein synthesis and do not directly code for proteins.