which of the following causes varicose veins to occur

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS Science Test

1. What causes varicose veins to occur?

A. Atherosclerosis.
B. Incompetent valves.
C. Loss of skin turgor.
D. Loss of blood vessel elasticity.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Varicose veins occur when the valves within the veins become incompetent, leading to blood pooling in the veins instead of being efficiently pumped back to the heart. This causes the veins to become enlarged, twisted, and visible under the skin. Factors such as genetics, aging, pregnancy, and prolonged standing or sitting can contribute to the development of incompetent valves and the resulting varicose veins. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque in arteries, not veins, and does not directly cause varicose veins. Loss of skin turgor is related to skin elasticity and not a direct cause of varicose veins. Loss of blood vessel elasticity is a general term and does not specifically address the mechanism behind varicose veins, which is primarily due to incompetent valves.

2. DNA has both a 'sense' and 'antisense' strand. What is true about the antisense strand?

A. It runs 5' to 3'.
B. It runs 3' to 5'.
C. It is used in replication.
D. It is the direction in which DNA is stored.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The antisense strand runs 3' to 5', which is opposite to the direction of the sense strand. It serves as the template strand for transcription, where an RNA molecule is synthesized complementary to the antisense strand. Choice A is incorrect because the antisense strand runs in the opposite direction. Choice C is incorrect as the antisense strand is primarily involved in transcription, not replication. Choice D is incorrect as the direction of DNA storage is not determined by the antisense strand.

3. Which of the following touch receptors respond to light touch and slower vibrations?

A. Merkel's discs
B. Pacinian corpuscles
C. Meissner's corpuscles
D. Ruffini endings

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Merkel's discs. Merkel's discs are touch receptors that respond to light touch and slower vibrations, making them ideal for detecting subtle tactile stimuli. Pacinian corpuscles are specialized in detecting deep pressure and high-frequency vibrations, not light touch or slower vibrations. Meissner's corpuscles, on the other hand, are sensitive to light touch and low-frequency vibrations, but they do not specifically respond to slower vibrations. Ruffini endings are responsible for detecting skin stretch and continuous touch pressure, differentiating them from Merkel's discs, which are specifically attuned to light touch and slower vibrations.

4. What is a gene, and what is the relationship between genes, genotype, and phenotype?

A. A gene is a sequence of amino acids; genes make up proteins; genotype determines phenotype
B. A gene is a portion of DNA; genes determine traits; genotype is the genetic makeup; phenotype is the physical manifestation
C. A gene is a protein; proteins determine traits; genotype is the set of all genes
D. A gene is a lipid; lipids determine traits; phenotype is the physical manifestation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A gene is a portion of DNA that contains the instructions for a specific trait. Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, encompassing all its genes. Phenotype, on the other hand, is the observable physical manifestation resulting from the interaction between an organism's genotype and environmental factors. Choice A is incorrect because genes do not consist of amino acids directly; they are sequences of nucleotides. Choice C is incorrect as genes do not determine traits directly but provide the instructions for proteins that may influence traits. Choice D is incorrect as genes are not lipids, and lipids do not determine traits; they are a type of biomolecule with different functions.

5. Which of the following functional groups is present in carboxylic acids?

A. Carbonyl
B. Hydroxyl
C. Carboxyl
D. Aldehyde

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Carboxylic acids contain the carboxyl functional group, which consists of a carbonyl group (C=O) and a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the same carbon atom. The carboxyl group is represented as -COOH in the molecular structure of carboxylic acids. Therefore, the correct functional group present in carboxylic acids is the carboxyl group, making option C the correct choice. Option A, 'Carbonyl,' is incorrect as it only refers to the C=O group without the -OH component present in carboxylic acids. Option B, 'Hydroxyl,' is incorrect as it only represents the -OH group without the carbonyl group. Option D, 'Aldehyde,' is incorrect as it refers to a different functional group with a carbonyl group attached to a hydrogen atom, not the carboxyl group found in carboxylic acids.