isotopes are variants of a single element that differ in

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Test 7 science quizlet

1. Isotopes are variants of a single element that differ in:

A. Having the same number of protons but varying numbers of neutrons
B. Having the same number of neutrons but varying numbers of protons
C. Having the same mass but different atomic numbers
D. None of the above

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Isotopes are variants of a single element that have the same number of protons, the defining characteristic of an element. They differ in the number of neutrons they possess, leading to isotopes having different atomic masses while retaining the same chemical properties. Choice B is incorrect because isotopes have the same number of neutrons and differ in the number of protons. Choice C is incorrect because isotopes have different masses due to varying numbers of neutrons, not different atomic numbers. Choice D is incorrect as isotopes do differ in the number of neutrons they possess.

2. What is the process of transporting molecules across the cell membrane against a concentration gradient called?

A. Diffusion
B. Osmosis
C. Active transport
D. Facilitated diffusion

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A) Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, which does not require energy input. B) Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. C) Active transport is the process of transporting molecules across the cell membrane against a concentration gradient, requiring energy in the form of ATP to move substances from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration. D) Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport that involves the use of transport proteins to move molecules across the cell membrane from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, without the need for energy input.

3. Antigenic variation, a common strategy used by some viruses, allows them to:

A. Produce toxins
B. Evade the immune system
C. Survive outside a host
D. Replicate rapidly

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Antigenic variation is a strategy used by some viruses to evade the host's immune response. By constantly changing their surface antigens, viruses can avoid recognition and destruction by the immune system. This allows the virus to persist in the host and continue replicating, leading to prolonged infection and potential transmission to other hosts. Antigenic variation does not directly involve the production of toxins, survival outside a host, or rapid replication, making options A, C, and D incorrect in this context.

4. During which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?

A. Interphase
B. Mitosis
C. Meiosis
D. Cytokinesis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Interphase is the phase of the cell cycle where the cell spends the majority of its time and is characterized by three subphases: G1 (Gap 1), S (Synthesis), and G2 (Gap 2). DNA replication specifically occurs during the S phase of interphase. This is a crucial step as it ensures that each daughter cell produced during cell division receives an exact copy of the genetic material. Mitosis is responsible for the equal distribution of the replicated DNA to the daughter cells during cell division. Meiosis is a specialized cell division process for gamete production in sexually reproducing organisms, involving two rounds of division to generate haploid cells. Cytokinesis is the final step of the cell cycle, where the cytoplasm divides to complete the formation of two separate daughter cells following nuclear division.

5. Which of the following macromolecules will always contain nitrogen?

A. Fatty acids
B. Proteins
C. Lipids
D. Carbohydrates

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Proteins. Proteins are the only macromolecules that always contain nitrogen in their amino acid structure. Nitrogen is a key element found in the amino groups of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Fatty acids (Choice A), lipids (Choice C), and carbohydrates (Choice D) do not always contain nitrogen in their structure. Fatty acids are composed of long hydrocarbon chains and do not contain nitrogen. Lipids consist mainly of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, with some classes of lipids containing phosphorus but not nitrogen. Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, forming structures like sugars and starches, but they do not contain nitrogen.