which of the following best describes the process of osmosis

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Practice Test Science

1. Which of the following best describes the process of osmosis?

A. Movement of molecules against their concentration gradient
B. Movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane
C. Movement of water and solutes together
D. Movement of large molecules through a membrane

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Osmosis is the process where water moves across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration. Choice A is incorrect because osmosis does not involve movement against the concentration gradient. Choice C is incorrect because osmosis primarily involves the movement of water, not water and solutes together. Choice D is incorrect as osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water molecules, not large molecules, through a membrane.

2. Which organ in the human body is the largest and is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, and storage of nutrients?

A. Heart
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Skin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body and is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, storage of nutrients, and various other essential functions. It plays a critical role in maintaining overall health by processing nutrients, filtering blood, and detoxifying harmful substances. While the skin is the largest organ by surface area, the liver is the largest internal organ and is crucial for various physiological processes. The heart is responsible for pumping blood, the lungs for respiration, and the skin for protection and temperature regulation, but they do not perform the functions specified in the question.

3. What describes a cell’s reaction to being placed in a hypertonic solution?

A. The cell will shrink as water is pulled out of the cell to equalize the concentrations inside and outside of the cell.
B. The cell will swell as water is pulled into the cell to equalize the concentrations inside and outside of the cell.
C. The cell will remain the same size since the concentrations inside and outside the cell are equal to begin with.
D. The pH inside the cell will drop in order to equalize the pH inside and outside the cell.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A cell placed in a hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration outside the cell compared to inside. This creates a concentration gradient that causes water to move out of the cell through osmosis to equalize the concentrations on both sides. As a result, the cell will shrink or undergo plasmolysis, as water is pulled out of the cell. Choice B is incorrect because a hypertonic solution causes water to move out of the cell, leading to shrinkage rather than swelling. Choice C is incorrect as a hypertonic solution results in a concentration gradient that leads to water leaving the cell, causing it to shrink. Choice D is incorrect because pH is not directly affected by being placed in a hypertonic solution; the change in solute concentration primarily impacts water movement.

4. What are Mendel's laws?

A. Law of inheritance, law of expression
B. Law of segregation, law of independent assortment
C. Law of dominance, law of recessiveness
D. Law of mutation, law of crossing over

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Mendel's laws consist of the law of segregation, which states that each parent passes one allele for each trait, and the law of independent assortment, which explains that genes for different traits are inherited independently. Choice A is incorrect because 'law of expression' is not one of Mendel's laws. Choice C is incorrect because 'law of dominance' and 'law of recessiveness' do not represent the two main laws proposed by Mendel. Choice D is incorrect because 'law of mutation' and 'law of crossing over' are not part of Mendel's original laws.

5. How does sunscreen protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays?

A. By reflecting UV rays away from the skin
B. By absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat
C. By blocking UV rays completely
D. By stimulating melanin production

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Sunscreen works by absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat. This mechanism helps to prevent the UV rays from penetrating the skin and causing damage such as sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Reflecting UV rays away from the skin (option A) is not the primary function of sunscreen. While sunscreen does block UV rays, it does not do so completely (option C) as some UV rays may still penetrate the skin. Sunscreen does not stimulate melanin production (option D) as a means of protecting the skin from UV rays.