how do afferent fibers enter the spinal cord

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS Science Questions

1. Through which aspect do afferent fibers enter the spinal cord?

A. Through the anterior aspect
B. Through the dorsal aspect
C. Through the ventral aspect
D. Through the lateral aspect

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Afferent fibers, responsible for carrying sensory information, enter the spinal cord through the posterior (dorsal) aspect. Specifically, they enter through the dorsal roots, located on the back (posterior) side of the spinal cord. This route allows sensory information to be transmitted to the central nervous system for processing and integration. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because afferent fibers do not enter the spinal cord through the anterior, ventral, or lateral aspects.

2. How is the density of a substance calculated?

A. Mass / Volume
B. Volume / Mass
C. Mass x Volume
D. None of the above

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The density of a substance is calculated by dividing the mass of the substance by its volume. The formula for density is Density = Mass / Volume. This calculation allows us to determine how much mass is present in a given volume of a substance, making option A the correct choice. Choice B (Volume / Mass) is incorrect because density is defined as mass per unit volume, so mass should be the numerator. Choice C (Mass x Volume) is incorrect as this would result in a different unit of measurement and not represent density. Choice D (None of the above) is incorrect as there is a specific formula for calculating density, which is mass divided by volume.

3. Which part of the brain controls the coordination of muscle movements?

A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Thalamus
D. Medulla oblongata

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for controlling the coordination of muscle movements and helping to maintain balance. It receives information from the sensory systems, the spinal cord, and other parts of the brain to regulate voluntary movements. The cerebrum (choice A) is primarily responsible for higher brain functions such as thinking and decision-making, not muscle coordination. The thalamus (choice C) acts as a relay station for sensory information but is not directly involved in muscle coordination. The medulla oblongata (choice D) is responsible for regulating vital autonomic functions like breathing and heart rate, rather than muscle coordination.

4. Which of the following describes an experiment?

A. The final math grades for a group of students passing through each year of elementary school are examined.
B. The health trends of smokers in a small random sample are examined.
C. Citizens in a local community are surveyed to determine concerns related to the next election.
D. The effects of a new drug are tested on a group of participants.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Option D describes an experiment because it involves testing the effects of a new drug on a group of participants. In an experiment, researchers intentionally manipulate an independent variable (in this case, the new drug) to observe its effects on a dependent variable (the participants' health outcomes). This method allows for establishing cause-and-effect relationships between variables, which is a key characteristic of experimental research design. Choices A, B, and C do not represent experiments. Choice A involves observational analysis of math grades, choice B involves observational analysis of health trends, and choice C involves a survey, none of which involve manipulating variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

5. What structure in plant cells provides rigidity and support?

A. Cell membrane
B. Golgi apparatus
C. Plastid
D. Cell wall

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, the cell wall. The cell wall is the structure in plant cells that provides rigidity and support. It is a tough, rigid structure located outside the cell membrane. Composed primarily of cellulose, the cell wall offers structural support to the cell, helping it maintain its shape and protect it from damage. The other choices, such as the cell membrane (choice A), Golgi apparatus (choice B), and plastid (choice C) do not provide rigidity and support to plant cells. The cell membrane is a selectively permeable barrier, the Golgi apparatus is involved in processing and packaging proteins, and plastids are organelles responsible for functions like photosynthesis and storage, but they do not provide the structural support that the cell wall does.