autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissues what is a potential cause of autoimmune diseases

ATI TEAS 7

Mometrix TEAS 7 science practice test

1. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissues. What is a potential cause of autoimmune diseases?

A. Deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals
B. Exposure to environmental toxins
C. Breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms
D. All of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Autoimmune diseases result from a breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms, leading to the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy body tissues. While deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals or exposure to environmental toxins can impact overall health, they are not direct causes of autoimmune diseases. Deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals may weaken the immune system, making it more susceptible to various health issues but does not directly cause autoimmune diseases. Exposure to environmental toxins can trigger immune responses, but autoimmune diseases specifically stem from the breakdown of self-tolerance mechanisms within immune cells. Therefore, the correct answer is a breakdown in immune cell self-tolerance mechanisms.

2. What is the role of the large intestine in the digestive system?

A. To break down proteins
B. To absorb water and form feces
C. To digest fats
D. To neutralize stomach acid

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The large intestine plays a crucial role in absorbing water from indigestible food matter and forming feces for elimination. Choice A is incorrect because the breakdown of proteins primarily occurs in the stomach and small intestine. Choice C is incorrect as the digestion of fats primarily occurs in the small intestine. Choice D is incorrect as neutralizing stomach acid is mainly the function of the stomach lining and not the large intestine.

3. In order to verify if a particular drug is responsible for the recovery of individuals with a disorder, what procedure would be most effective in testing its effectiveness?

A. Ensure that neither the subjects nor the investigators know which subjects are given the drug and which are given the placebo.
B. Ensure that the subjects do not know whether they are given the drug or the placebo, but the investigators are aware of who has received the medication.
C. Ensure that the investigators do not know whether they are administering the drug or the placebo, but the subjects do know which they are receiving.
D. Ensure that both the investigators and the subjects have full knowledge of which subjects are getting the drug and which are getting a placebo.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most effective procedure in testing whether the drug is responsible for the recovery is to ensure that neither the subjects nor the investigators know which subjects are given the drug and which are given the placebo. This method is known as a double-blind study, which helps eliminate biases and ensures that the results are reliable and not influenced by expectations or beliefs. By keeping both the subjects and investigators unaware of who is receiving the drug or placebo, the study can accurately determine the true impact of the drug on recovery. Choice B is incorrect as it only prevents the subjects from knowing which treatment they are receiving, allowing for potential bias from the investigators. Choice C is also incorrect as it allows for potential bias from the subjects. Choice D is incorrect as full knowledge of treatment allocation can introduce bias and affect the study's validity.

4. Which of the following is NOT a greenhouse gas?

A. Carbon Dioxide
B. Methane
C. Oxygen
D. Water Vapor

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Carbon Dioxide: Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere through various human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. It contributes to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere. B) Methane: Methane is another greenhouse gas released from sources like livestock, landfills, and natural gas production. It is more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat. C) Oxygen: Oxygen is not considered a greenhouse gas. It is a vital component of the Earth's atmosphere necessary for respiration and combustion, but it does not trap heat like greenhouse gases do. D) Water Vapor: Water vapor is a significant greenhouse gas that plays a crucial role in the Earth's climate system by trapping heat in the atmosphere. It is the most abundant greenhouse gas. Therefore, the correct answer is C) Oxygen, as it is not a greenhouse gas.

5. The kidneys are bean-shaped organs responsible for filtering waste products from the blood. What is the main nitrogenous waste product the kidneys eliminate?

A. Carbon dioxide
B. Ammonia
C. Urea
D. Glucose

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, urea. Urea is the main nitrogenous waste product eliminated by the kidneys. It is produced in the liver from protein metabolism and excreted in urine. Carbon dioxide is eliminated through the lungs as a waste product of cellular respiration and not by the kidneys. Ammonia, a toxic waste product, is converted to urea in the liver before being excreted by the kidneys. Glucose is a sugar that is reabsorbed by the kidneys and not excreted as waste.