what is glucagon where is it produced and what is its function

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS Science Practice Test

1. What is glucagon, where is it produced, and what is its function?

A. Produced in the liver, releases glucose
B. Produced in the pancreas, raises blood sugar
C. Produced in the pancreas, lowers blood sugar
D. Produced in the adrenal glands, regulates stress response

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Glucagon is a hormone produced in the pancreas and functions to raise blood sugar levels. It does so by signaling the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream. Therefore, the correct answer is B, 'Produced in the pancreas, raises blood sugar.' Choices A, C, and D describe functions or locations of other hormones, not glucagon. Glucagon is specifically released by alpha cells in the pancreas, making option B the correct choice.

2. Which valve allows blood flow from the right atrium into the right ventricle?

A. Tricuspid valve
B. Pulmonic valve
C. Mitral valve
D. Aortic valve

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the Tricuspid valve. This valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle in the heart. Its primary function is to facilitate the flow of blood from the right atrium into the right ventricle and to prevent the backflow of blood. The Pulmonic valve (choice B) is situated between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, not between the right atrium and ventricle, making it incorrect. The Mitral valve (choice C) is found between the left atrium and the left ventricle, not the right side, so it is incorrect. The Aortic valve (choice D) is positioned between the left ventricle and the aorta, not involved in the right atrium and ventricle connection, hence it is also incorrect.

3. What is the structure of DNA?

A. Single-stranded, linear
B. Double-stranded, linear
C. Double-stranded, helix
D. Single-stranded, helix

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Double-stranded, helix. DNA is structured as a double helix formed by two strands of nucleotides. The nucleotides are paired with complementary bases (A-T and C-G) in the center, held together by hydrogen bonds. This double-stranded helical structure is a fundamental characteristic of DNA and essential for its function in storing genetic information. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because DNA is not single-stranded; it consists of two strands that run antiparallel to each other and are connected via hydrogen bonds. Additionally, DNA does not have a linear structure but rather a helical one, providing stability and protection to the genetic information it carries.

4. What are the differences between RNA and DNA?

A. Both have the same structure and function.
B. RNA is single-stranded, while DNA is double-stranded.
C. RNA contains ribose sugar, while DNA contains deoxyribose sugar.
D. RNA has adenine and guanine, while DNA has thymine and cytosine.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A) This statement is incorrect. RNA and DNA have different structures and functions. RNA is involved in protein synthesis and other cellular processes, while DNA stores genetic information. B) This statement is correct. RNA is typically single-stranded, while DNA is double-stranded, forming a double helix structure. C) This statement is correct. RNA contains ribose sugar in its backbone, while DNA contains deoxyribose sugar. D) This statement is incorrect. RNA contains adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil, while DNA contains adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. Choice B is the correct answer as it accurately describes one of the key differences between RNA and DNA, emphasizing their structural disparity in terms of single-strandedness for RNA and double-strandedness for DNA. Choices A, C, and D contain inaccuracies regarding the structural and compositional distinctions between RNA and DNA, making them incorrect choices.

5. The transfer of energy through feeding relationships in an ecosystem is called a:

A. Food Chain
B. Food Web
C. Habitat
D. Biome

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each organism consumes the one below it and is consumed by the one above it. This transfer of energy through feeding relationships is a fundamental concept in ecology to understand how energy flows through an ecosystem. In a food chain, energy is transferred from producers (plants) to primary consumers (herbivores), then to secondary consumers (carnivores), and so on. Each step in the food chain represents a trophic level, and energy is lost as heat at each level, resulting in a pyramid-shaped energy flow. Food webs, on the other hand, represent a more complex network of interconnected food chains within an ecosystem. Habitats refer to the specific environments where organisms live, and biomes are large geographical areas characterized by specific climates and vegetation types. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Food Chain' as it specifically describes the linear transfer of energy through feeding relationships in an ecosystem.