what is the primary function of dna polymerase

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS 7 science review

1. What is the primary function of DNA polymerase?

A. Packaging DNA
B. Replicating DNA
C. Transcribing DNA
D. Translating mRNA

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Replicating DNA. DNA polymerase is an enzyme responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during DNA replication. It adds nucleotides to the growing DNA strand based on the template provided by the existing DNA strand. This process ensures that genetic information is accurately copied and passed on to daughter cells during cell division. Option A, Packaging DNA, refers to the coiling and organization of DNA into chromatin, a process involving histones and other proteins. Option C, Transcribing DNA, involves the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template, a process carried out by RNA polymerase. Option D, Translating mRNA, refers to the process of protein synthesis where the information encoded in mRNA is used to assemble amino acids into a polypeptide chain.

2. What is the muscular tube that transports sperm from the testes to the urethra called?

A. Epididymis
B. Vas deferens
C. Seminal vesicle
D. Cowper's gland

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the vas deferens. It is the muscular tube responsible for carrying sperm from the testes to the urethra. After sperm is produced in the testes, it moves to the epididymis for maturation and storage. The seminal vesicle contributes fluid to semen, but it is not the tube that transports sperm. Cowper's gland also adds fluid to semen but is not involved in transporting sperm. Therefore, the vas deferens is the accurate choice for the muscular tube that transports sperm.

3. Which type of waves do not require a medium for propagation?

A. Transverse waves
B. Longitudinal waves
C. Electromagnetic waves
D. Surface waves

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Electromagnetic waves do not require a medium for propagation as they consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that can travel through a vacuum. This property allows electromagnetic waves, such as light, radio waves, and X-rays, to propagate through space. In contrast, transverse and longitudinal waves require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) for propagation. Transverse waves have vibrations perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, while longitudinal waves have vibrations parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Surface waves, which are a combination of transverse and longitudinal waves, also need a medium for propagation. Understanding the distinction between these wave types is essential in various fields, including physics and communication technologies.

4. What is the main function of the kidneys?

A. To filter waste products from the blood
B. To produce urine
C. To regulate blood pressure
D. To produce hormones that help control blood sugar levels

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The main function of the kidneys is to filter waste products, excess ions, and water from the bloodstream to form urine, which is then excreted from the body. This process helps maintain the body's internal environment by regulating the balance of electrolytes, fluid volume, and pH levels. While the kidneys do produce urine as a result of filtering the blood, their primary function is to filter waste products rather than solely producing urine. Although the kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by controlling blood volume and electrolyte concentration, their main function is waste filtration. While the kidneys do produce hormones like erythropoietin and renin that regulate physiological processes, such as red blood cell production and blood pressure, the main role of the kidneys is waste filtration.

5. Decomposers in an ecosystem play a vital role by:

A. Photosynthesizing and producing organic matter
B. Breaking down dead organisms and returning nutrients to the environment
C. Preying on herbivores and controlling their populations
D. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and making it available to plants

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Decomposers are organisms that break down dead organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, into simpler substances. By doing so, they help to recycle nutrients back into the environment, making them available for other organisms to use. This process is essential for the functioning of ecosystems, as it ensures that nutrients are not lost but instead are continuously cycled through the ecosystem. Photosynthesis (option A) is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, and it is not a role of decomposers. Preying on herbivores (option C) is a role typically carried out by predators, not decomposers. Fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere (option D) is a process carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, not decomposers.