how do organisms maintain homeostasis

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS Science

1. How do organisms maintain homeostasis?

A. By increasing their body temperature, blood pH, and fluid balance.
B. By undergoing biochemical processes and absorbing energy to increase entropy.
C. By undergoing biochemical processes to maintain the order of their external environment.
D. By using free energy and matter via biochemical processes to work against entropy.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Organisms maintain homeostasis by utilizing free energy and matter through biochemical processes to counteract entropy, which helps in preserving internal stability. This process involves maintaining a balance within the organism's internal environment despite external changes, ensuring proper functioning and survival. Choice A is incorrect because increasing body temperature, blood pH, and fluid balance alone do not define the comprehensive process of maintaining homeostasis. Choice B is incorrect as absorbing energy to increase entropy goes against the concept of maintaining internal stability. Choice C is incorrect as maintaining the order of the external environment does not directly contribute to the organism's internal stability and balance.

2. A light ray travels from air (refractive index 1.00) into water (refractive index 1.33). What happens to its speed and direction?

A. Speed increases, direction bends towards the normal.
B. Speed increases, direction bends away from the normal.
C. Speed decreases, direction bends towards the normal.
D. Speed and direction remain unchanged.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a light ray travels from air (lower refractive index) to water (higher refractive index), its speed decreases due to the change in the medium. This is because light travels slower in denser mediums. As the light ray enters the denser medium, water in this case, it bends towards the normal (the line perpendicular to the surface of the water). This phenomenon is known as refraction. Choice A is incorrect as the speed of light decreases when entering a denser medium. Choice B is incorrect as the direction bends towards the normal, not away from it. Choice D is incorrect as the speed and direction of the light ray do change when moving from air to water.

3. Which of the following choices would contain the code for making a protein?

A. mRNA
B. tRNA
C. rRNA
D. DNA polymerase

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: mRNA (messenger RNA). mRNA contains the genetic code or instructions for making a protein. During protein synthesis, mRNA carries the genetic information from DNA in the cell nucleus to the ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized. The sequence of nucleotides in mRNA corresponds to the sequence of amino acids that will be used to build the protein. Choice B, tRNA (transfer RNA), is involved in carrying amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis but does not contain the code for making a protein. Choice C, rRNA (ribosomal RNA), is a component of ribosomes where protein synthesis occurs but does not contain the specific code for making a protein. Choice D, DNA polymerase, is an enzyme involved in DNA replication, not in directly coding for protein synthesis.

4. What type of energy does a stretched rubber band possess?

A. Kinetic energy
B. Potential energy
C. Thermal energy
D. Mechanical energy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a rubber band is stretched, it stores potential energy due to its position or configuration. This potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy when the rubber band is released and returns to its original shape. Therefore, the correct answer is potential energy, as the energy is stored in the stretched rubber band and can be released upon returning to its original state. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because kinetic energy is associated with motion, thermal energy is related to heat, and mechanical energy is a broader category that includes both potential and kinetic energy.

5. Which structure in the eye is responsible for detecting light?

A. Cornea
B. Retina
C. Lens
D. Iris

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The retina is the correct answer as it is the light-sensitive structure in the eye that detects light and converts it into signals for the brain to process visual information. The cornea is the transparent outer covering of the eye that helps to focus incoming light onto the lens. The lens further focuses the light onto the retina, which is where the actual light detection and signal conversion occur. The iris, on the other hand, controls the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil but is not directly responsible for detecting light.