which of the following best defines the term amphoteric

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS Science

1. Which of the following best defines the term amphoteric?

A. A substance that conducts electricity due to ionization when dissolved in a solvent
B. A substance that can act as an acid or a base depending on the properties of the solute
C. A substance that, according to the Brønsted-Lowry Acid-Base Theory, is a proton-donor
D. A substance that donates its proton and forms its conjugate base in a neutralization reaction

Correct answer: B

Rationale: An amphoteric substance can act as both an acid or a base depending on the environment. It can donate a proton (act as an acid) or accept a proton (act as a base), showing versatility in its behavior. Choice A is incorrect as it describes an electrolyte rather than an amphoteric substance. Choice C is incorrect as it defines an acid based on the Brønsted-Lowry Acid-Base Theory. Choice D is incorrect as it specifically refers to a substance donating a proton in a neutralization reaction, not capturing the dual behavior of an amphoteric substance.

2. What happens to the force of gravity between two objects when the distance between them is doubled?

A. The force increases by a factor of 2
B. The force increases by a factor of 4
C. The force decreases by a factor of 2
D. The force decreases by a factor of 4

Correct answer: D

Rationale: According to the law of universal gravitation, the force of gravity between two objects is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. When the distance is doubled, the force decreases by a factor of 2 squared, which is 4. Therefore, the force decreases by a factor of 4. Choice A is incorrect because the force doesn't increase when the distance is doubled. Choice B is incorrect as the force doesn't increase but actually decreases. Choice C is incorrect as the force decreases by a factor of 4, not 2.

3. What are the building blocks of proteins?

A. Sugars
B. Fatty acids
C. Amino acids
D. Nucleotides

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Proteins are macromolecules made up of long chains of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are linked together through peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains, which then fold into specific three-dimensional structures to carry out various functions in the body. Sugars (choice A) are the building blocks of carbohydrates, fatty acids (choice B) are the building blocks of lipids, and nucleotides (choice D) are the building blocks of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Therefore, the correct answer is amino acids (choice C), as they are specifically responsible for protein synthesis.

4. What is the fatty sheath that insulates some nerve fibers and speeds up signal transmission called?

A. Myelin sheath
B. Dura mater
C. Pia mater
D. Arachnoid mater

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that surrounds and insulates some nerve fibers, facilitating the rapid transmission of signals along the nerve fibers. Choices B, C, and D (Dura mater, Pia mater, and Arachnoid mater) are layers of the meninges, protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. The primary function of the meninges is to protect and support the central nervous system, not to insulate nerve fibers for signal transmission.

5. During ejaculation, sperm travels through a tube from the testes to the urethra. What is the name of this tube?

A. Vas deferens
B. Epididymis
C. Seminal vesicle
D. Urethra

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The vas deferens is the correct answer. It is the tube that carries sperm from the testes to the urethra during ejaculation. The vas deferens plays a crucial role in transporting mature sperm for ejaculation. The epididymis is responsible for sperm maturation and storage, not the direct passage of sperm to the urethra. The seminal vesicle produces fluid that combines with sperm to form semen but is not the tube for sperm transport. The urethra serves as the passageway for both urine and semen out of the body but is not the specific tube that transports sperm from the testes to the urethra.