some intercellular chemical signals diffuse across cell membranes and bind to intracellular receptors what are the two factors that enable this to occ

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS Practice Science Test

1. What two factors enable some intercellular chemical signals to diffuse across cell membranes and bind to intracellular receptors?

A. They are small and soluble.
B. They are large and soluble.
C. They are small and insoluble.
D. They are large and insoluble.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'They are small and soluble.' Small and soluble molecules can easily pass through cell membranes and bind to intracellular receptors. Being small allows them to pass through the membrane, while being soluble enables them to dissolve in the aqueous environment inside the cell. Choice B is incorrect because large molecules typically cannot pass through the cell membrane easily. Choices C and D are incorrect because insoluble molecules would not dissolve in the aqueous environment inside the cell, hindering their ability to bind to intracellular receptors.

2. What happens to the speed of a sound wave when it travels from air to water?

A. It increases because water is denser.
B. It decreases because water is denser.
C. It remains the same.
D. Speed depends on the frequency, not the medium.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a sound wave travels from air to water, the speed of sound decreases because sound travels faster in denser mediums. Water, being denser than air, causes the speed of sound to slow down. Choice A is incorrect because sound travels faster in denser mediums, so the speed would not increase. Choice C is incorrect because the speed of sound changes when transitioning between different mediums. Choice D is incorrect because while frequency does affect sound, the medium it travels through also plays a significant role in determining the speed of sound.

3. Photons, the basic unit of light, are:

A. Charged particles
B. Packets of energy with wave-particle duality
C. Electromagnetic waves only
D. Always absorbed by matter

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Photons are not charged particles; they are packets of energy that exhibit wave-particle duality, meaning they can behave as both particles and waves. While photons are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, they are not electromagnetic waves themselves but rather discrete energy packets. They are not always absorbed by matter; they can be reflected, transmitted, or scattered.

4. 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.

5. Which of the following best describes one of the roles of RNA?

A. Manufacturing the proteins needed from DNA
B. Creating the bonds between the elements that make up DNA
C. Sending messages about the correct sequence of proteins in DNA
D. Forming the identifiable double helix shape of DNA

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. RNA serves as a messenger that carries instructions from DNA for protein synthesis. It does not manufacture proteins directly from DNA (choice A), create bonds within DNA (choice B), or form the double helix structure of DNA (choice D). Therefore, the primary role of RNA is to convey information about the correct sequence of proteins to be synthesized based on the DNA sequences it receives.