melanin the pigment responsible for skin color is produced by

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS 7 practice test free science

1. Melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, is produced by

A. Keratinocytes (These cells produce keratin)
B. Melanocytes
C. Sebocytes (These cells produce sebum)
D. Langerhans cells (These cells are part of the immune system)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Melanocytes are the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that determines skin color. Melanin gives skin its color and protects it from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Keratinocytes produce keratin, a tough protein that forms the outer layer of the skin, hair, and nails. Sebocytes produce sebum, an oily substance that helps moisturize and protect the skin. Langerhans cells are a type of immune cell found in the skin that play a role in protecting against infections and foreign substances but do not produce melanin.

2. Which part of the eye controls the amount of light that enters the eye?

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

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The iris is the correct answer as it controls the amount of light that enters the eye by adjusting the size of the pupil. The cornea is responsible for focusing light onto the retina, the retina detects light at the back of the eye, and the lens helps in further focusing light onto the retina. The iris, through changing the size of the pupil, regulates the amount of light reaching the eye, making it the part that controls the entry of light.

3. Which of the following is a chief difference between evaporation and boiling?

A. Liquids boil only at the surface, while they evaporate equally throughout the liquid.
B. Evaporating substances change from liquid to gas, while boiling substances change from gas to liquid.
C. Evaporation can happen below a liquid's boiling point.
D. Evaporation happens in nature, while boiling is a man-made phenomenon.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The chief difference between evaporation and boiling is that evaporation can happen below a liquid's boiling point, while boiling only occurs at the liquid's boiling point. Evaporation is the process of a liquid turning into a gas at any temperature, while boiling specifically refers to the rapid vaporization that occurs when a liquid reaches its boiling point. Choice A is incorrect because liquids evaporate throughout the liquid, not just at the surface. Choice B is incorrect as evaporating substances change from liquid to gas, while boiling substances change from liquid to gas. Choice C is incorrect as boiling is not a man-made phenomenon; in fact, it is a natural process based on temperature changes. Choice D is incorrect because evaporation can happen naturally and is not limited to man-made processes.

4. What is the role of RNA in the regulation of gene expression?

A. Provides energy for the process
B. Controls the timing and location of protein synthesis
C. Translates the genetic code into amino acids
D. Stores genetic information

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A) RNA does not provide energy for the process of gene expression. Energy is typically provided by molecules like ATP. B) RNA plays a crucial role in controlling the timing and location of protein synthesis through processes like transcriptional regulation, RNA splicing, and post-transcriptional modifications. It helps determine when and where specific proteins are produced in the cell. C) While mRNA translates the genetic code into amino acids during the process of translation, this is not the primary role of RNA in the regulation of gene expression. D) RNA does not store genetic information in the same way that DNA does. DNA is the molecule responsible for storing genetic information in the form of genes. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate choice as it accurately describes the role of RNA in regulating gene expression.

5. What is the main role of the large intestine in digestion?

A. Absorbing proteins
B. Absorbing carbohydrates
C. Absorbing fats
D. Absorbing water

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The main role of the large intestine in digestion is to absorb water. When food reaches the large intestine, most nutrients have already been absorbed by the small intestine. In the large intestine, water is absorbed from the remaining undigested food, helping to form solid waste (feces). Absorbing proteins, carbohydrates, or fats primarily occurs in the small intestine, not in the large intestine. Therefore, options A, B, and C are incorrect.