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 type of chemical bond connects the oxygen and hydrogen atoms in a molecule of water?

A. Static bond
B. Aquatic bond
C. Ionic bond
D. Covalent bond

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Covalent bond. Covalent bonds are formed between oxygen and hydrogen atoms in a water molecule. In a water molecule, each hydrogen atom forms a covalent bond with the oxygen atom, sharing electrons to achieve a stable configuration. Static bond (choice A) and Aquatic bond (choice B) are not valid types of chemical bonds. Ionic bond (choice C) involves the transfer of electrons between atoms of different electronegativities, which is not the case between oxygen and hydrogen in a water molecule.

3. Which of the following terms refers to a muscle twitch, a single forceful contraction of a muscle fiber?

A. Tetanus
B. Tremor
C. Fasciculation
D. Rigidity

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct term for a muscle twitch, a single forceful contraction of a muscle fiber, is 'Fasciculation' (choice C). Fasciculation specifically describes this phenomenon. 'Tetanus' (choice A) refers to sustained muscle contraction, 'Tremor' (choice B) indicates a shaky or quivering movement, and 'Rigidity' (choice D) denotes stiffness or inflexibility in muscles. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect in the context of a single forceful contraction of a muscle fiber.

4. What is the monomer for nucleic acids?

A. Nucleotide
B. Amino acid
C. Phosphate group
D. Ribosome

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Nucleotide. Nucleotides are indeed the monomers that make up nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. They consist of a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. Amino acids are the monomers of proteins, not nucleic acids. While the phosphate group is a component of nucleotides, it is not the sole monomer. Ribosome is a cellular organelle involved in protein synthesis and is not a monomer for nucleic acids.

5. When ethanol (C₂H₅OH) reacts with sodium metal (Na), what is the product?

A. Ethene (C₂H₄)
B. Sodium ethoxide (C₂H₅ONa)
C. Ethane (C₂H₆)
D. Sodium acetate (CH₃COONa)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When ethanol (C₂H₅OH) reacts with sodium metal (Na), the product formed is Sodium ethoxide (C₂H₅ONa). This reaction is a classic example of a metal displacing hydrogen in an alcohol to form an alkoxide. In this specific case, sodium replaces the hydrogen in ethanol, resulting in the formation of sodium ethoxide. Choice A, Ethene (C₂H₄), is incorrect as it is a different compound formed from the dehydration of ethanol, not its reaction with sodium. Choice C, Ethane (C₂H₆), is incorrect as it is a saturated hydrocarbon, not the product of the reaction of ethanol with sodium metal. Choice D, Sodium acetate (CH₃COONa), is incorrect as it involves acetic acid, not ethanol, reacting with sodium to form the salt sodium acetate.