what types of cells myelinate neurons in the pns

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS Science Questions

1. Which cells myelinate neurons in the PNS?

A. Oligodendrocytes
B. Astrocytes
C. Schwann cells
D. Microglia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Schwann cells are the glial cells responsible for myelinating neurons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). They form the myelin sheath around axons, which helps in the conduction of electrical impulses. Oligodendrocytes, on the other hand, myelinate neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes primarily provide support for neuronal function by regulating the chemical environment around neurons and maintaining the blood-brain barrier. Microglia are part of the immune response in the CNS, where they act as the resident macrophages, playing a role in immune surveillance and response to injury or disease. Therefore, the correct answer is Schwann cells (Choice C) as they specifically myelinate neurons in the PNS, differentiating them from the other cell types mentioned in the choices.

2. Which type of muscle is responsible for moving the skeleton?

A. Cardiac muscle
B. Skeletal muscle
C. Smooth muscle
D. Voluntary muscle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Skeletal muscle is the correct answer as it is responsible for moving the skeleton. Skeletal muscles are under voluntary control, meaning they can be consciously controlled by the individual. Cardiac muscle (Choice A) is found in the heart and is responsible for pumping blood, not moving the skeleton. Smooth muscle (Choice C) is found in internal organs and is responsible for involuntary movements like digestion. Voluntary muscle (Choice D) is not a specific type of muscle; it refers to muscles that can be consciously controlled, which includes skeletal muscles.

3. What is the difference between polygenic inheritance and pleiotropy?

A. Polygenic inheritance involves multiple genes influencing one trait, while pleiotropy involves one gene affecting multiple traits.
B. Polygenic inheritance is found in simple Mendelian traits, while pleiotropy is found in complex traits.
C. Polygenic inheritance is always quantitative, while pleiotropy can be qualitative or quantitative.
D. Both involve multiple genes and multiple traits, but the specific mechanisms differ

Correct answer: A

Rationale: - Polygenic inheritance refers to the situation where a trait is influenced by multiple genes, each contributing a small effect to the phenotype. These traits often show continuous variation and are not easily categorized into discrete categories. - Pleiotropy, on the other hand, occurs when a single gene influences multiple, seemingly unrelated traits. This means that a mutation in one gene can lead to multiple phenotypic effects across different traits or characteristics. - Therefore, the key difference between polygenic inheritance and pleiotropy lies in the number of genes involved in influencing a trait (multiple genes in polygenic inheritance vs. one gene in pleiotropy) and the direction of influence (one trait affected by multiple genes in polygenic inheritance vs. multiple traits affected by one gene in pleiotropy).

4. Which structure in the heart is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body?

A. Right ventricle
B. Left ventricle
C. Left atrium
D. Right atrium

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The left ventricle is the chamber responsible for pumping oxygenated blood from the heart to the body. It receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and contracts to push this blood out to the rest of the body through the aorta. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, making choices A, C, and D incorrect for this function. Therefore, the correct answer is B, the Left ventricle.

5. What is the main function of the epiglottis, a small flap of cartilage located above the larynx?

A. To warm and humidify inhaled air
B. To control the passage of food and air
C. To produce sound vibrations for speech
D. To sense the presence of foreign objects

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main function of the epiglottis is to control the passage of food and air. It acts as a cover for the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway. This mechanism ensures that food safely travels down the esophagus to the stomach, while air simultaneously enters the trachea and moves into the lungs for respiration. Choice A is incorrect as the warming and humidifying of inhaled air primarily occur in the nasal cavity. Choice C is incorrect because sound production for speech involves structures like the vocal cords rather than the epiglottis. Choice D is incorrect as sensing foreign objects is not a primary function of the epiglottis; instead, this role is typically associated with sensory receptors in the respiratory tract.