which macromolecule will always contain nitrogen

ATI TEAS 7

Practice TEAS Science Test

1. Which macromolecule will always contain nitrogen?

A. Fatty acid
B. Protein
C. Lipid
D. Carbohydrate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Protein. Proteins always contain nitrogen, as it is a key element in amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Fatty acids (choice A), lipids (choice C), and carbohydrates (choice D) do not always contain nitrogen. Fatty acids consist of long chains of hydrocarbons, lipids are mainly composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen as well, but not nitrogen.

2. Which term best describes the gradual change in a species over time in response to environmental pressures?

A. Punctuated equilibrium (rapid bursts of evolution)
B. Gradualism (slow and continuous change)
C. Founder effect (genetic drift in a small population)
D. Adaptive radiation (rapid diversification of a species)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A) Punctuated equilibrium refers to rapid bursts of evolution followed by long periods of stability, rather than gradual change over time in response to environmental pressures. B) Gradualism is the process by which species evolve through slow and continuous changes over time in response to environmental pressures. This gradual change can lead to the development of new traits and adaptations. C) Founder effect is a type of genetic drift that occurs when a small group of individuals establishes a new population, leading to a loss of genetic variation compared to the original population. It does not specifically describe the gradual change in a species over time. D) Adaptive radiation is the rapid diversification of a species into a variety of forms to exploit different ecological niches, but it does not specifically refer to the gradual change in response to environmental pressures. Therefore, the term that best describes the gradual change in a species over time in response to environmental pressures is 'Gradualism.'

3. What is the process in which RNA polymerase copies DNA into RNA, with DNA unwinding and serving as a template while RNA is assembled?

A. Replication
B. Transcription
C. Translation
D. Duplication

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Transcription. Transcription is the process where RNA polymerase reads the DNA template strand and synthesizes RNA, following the base-pairing rules. During transcription, DNA unwinds and serves as a template for the assembly of complementary RNA molecules. Replication (Choice A) is the process of making an identical copy of DNA, not RNA from DNA. Translation (Choice C) is the process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA. Duplication (Choice D) is a general term and does not specifically refer to the process described in the question.

4. What is the stage of mitosis during which the nuclear envelope reforms?

A. Prophase
B. Metaphase
C. Telophase
D. Cytokinesis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: During telophase, the nuclear envelope reforms around the separated sister chromatids at opposite poles of the cell. This stage marks the reversal of the processes that occurred during prophase, where the nuclear envelope breaks down. Metaphase is characterized by the alignment of chromosomes along the metaphase plate in the cell's center. Cytokinesis is the final step of cell division involving cytoplasmic division to form two daughter cells, but it does not involve the reformation of the nuclear envelope. Therefore, choice C (Telophase) is the correct answer as it specifically involves the reformation of the nuclear envelope, distinguishing it from the other stages of mitosis.

5. How does ingested food move through the digestive tract?

A. Chewing, digestion, absorption
B. Swallowing, peristalsis, segmentation
C. Swallowing, mastication, defecation
D. Digestion, absorption, excretion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Swallowing, peristalsis, segmentation. Food moves through the digestive tract by first being swallowed, then undergoing peristalsis (wave-like movements that propel food along the digestive tract), and finally undergoing segmentation (mixing movements in the intestines). Chewing and digestion occur in the mouth and stomach, respectively, while absorption and excretion happen later in the digestive process. Choice A is incorrect as absorption is a later stage in the process. Choice C is incorrect because defecation is the elimination of waste, not the movement of food. Choice D is incorrect as excretion is the elimination of waste products, not the movement of ingested food through the digestive tract.